West country meet May - spring bank holiday weekend

[Mudlark]

We have our own entrance so late arrivals will be ok — we are fare enough away from the main site so as not to disturb anyone

Within the next couple of days I'll write how to get to the site from the M5 and from cornwall


Been out today reccying — might go out again in a bit after I've mended the truck  — I suspect Millners have very hot ears at the moment  My newish idler arm has snapped off — pig to drive so had to curtail my days reccying



Just loading pics onto computer so will be some juicy tempters arriving on line soon as well

[LePaj]

looking forward to it, only a few days to go 

[Mudlark]

Right latest update:

Went out yesterday to recce the main route and what a day taking pics on the way so you get a bit of a taster as to what to expect:



Some lanes are a bit tight and possibly scratchy


The views more than make up for it


There was plenty of this chocolate sauce around


Some lanes are tight and not scratchy


This is one of the challenging lanes


The same lane


Lane block


The clearing operation


Moving the small bits


Lane block cleared


There were quite a few flooded lanes


Some deep enough to come over the bonnet


Rock Steps


Spring lanes


Nice wide lane


Had a little rut in it


My broken steering idler arm


Want to see more? Click on the pic

[TinyTim]

All good   

[CupCake]

Excellent    Good stuff Julian - really can't wait now 

[welshtony]

Oh what a surprise juls broke something again 

Excellent pics tho 

[Cobra]

Wow what a great venue

I wish i could get down there, If i sort stuff here and i could get down for teh day, would that be ok?

be happy to put up some money. It seems a shame not to come and meet some of you especialy as it so near me

ill do my best, Shame about the steering mate. Leads me to a nother curiouse question How many of you have your vehicles for everyday use i.e your main ride. Mine is certainly our one and only not including me Bike.

Missus was a bit concerned of teh possible damage etc, hehe I guess she had a point and mudlarks brought that one home She said may be I should get another just for lanning  Oh Im so lucky to have a lady like that, then I explained that money would probarbly be a bit of a barrier Damn reality sucks sometimes

What ever happens have a great time

PS.

if your ever near by and want some help clearing etc give me a shout , Im a bit restricted but on a good day can be of use

[mitsue]

9/10 of us use our everyday vehicles to go play in
i used to sound like youre missus about damage n scratches  but now i dont worry so much its built for off-road use so use it for that 

[CupCake]

Yep - as Sue says, many of us use our trucks for everyday use. Mine is my daily commuter, shopping transport and for travelling hundreds of miles visiting family and friends.

Mine has been lifted +4", had mud tyres fitted, rock sliders and front ARB removed to name but a few mods and I still drive it anywhere. Is sporting some cosmetic damage to wheel arches and a dent in the roof, but it all adds to the character 

Drive it, offroad it, use it and enjoy it. And hopefully you can join us for a bit of fun over the weekend 

[Mudlark]

Cobra — you're welcome to come for the day if you can be here by 9.30-10. On the point of usage my truck is my only drive although I do carry a card for a big yellow taxi as well

I count myself fortunate in the fact that I'm pretty handy with a spanner and have a few spares that I know I can break and many others that just gather dust.

On the subject of you breaking your truck — well that is the last thing I'd want when you are out  enjoying yourself with me, and I will happily point out any place where you may sustain everlasting damage and a route around it. At the end of the day if you think that something is going to damage your truck or you are not happy with doing something then you do not have to do it.

Incidentally none of the main route should cause 'everlasting damage' the worst would be 'stick mark scratches' which should be polish out-able

[Cobra]

Cheers everyone.

Ah the scratches dings etc well not worries in the slightest ; I think she was thinking just catastrophic stuff

Love my Paj but its what it is and that bit I so want to do, she off roads daily, not like lanning but generaly mud someware 24-7, live on the moors so its just part of life.

Wahay I really will try and be down with you all, so much going on here

[Mudlark]

We have a slight change to the camping arrangements — we have now been shifted to the main site (far end of, from what I understand) this allows no problems with those that need hook ups please be aware that leccy hook-ups will be extra they are not included in the £25 but I will negotiate a reasonable price for you if i can.


This does not affect any arrival times — there will be no locked gates

[Mudlark]

Getting to the camp site


Everyone coming from 'oop country' should join the south bound carriageway of the M5


Just before the end of the motorway  move to the centre lane avoiding the slip road for the A30 — motorway ends just after this junction (31)

You are now on the A38 —about 1 mile further on again keep to the centre lane / outside lane for the A38 signposted Plymouth



Have a good crawl up Haldon Hill


After 15 miles turn off at junction signposted Buckfastleigh — Totnes — Dartmouth — Kingsbridge

At top of slip road turn LEFT  <<<<<<<

after  3.8 miles enter roundabouts on the first smaller one take 2nd exit — on the second one take the 1st exit for Totnes

After 1 mile there is a nice straight stretch with a foot bridge crossing the road — there is a speed camera here — shortly followed by a set of traffic lights. If you want to avail yourselves of the cheapest fuel carry straight on for .25mile to Morrisons fuel station on your right >>>>>> (not 24 hrs) and return to the traffic lights.

At the traffic lights turn Right >>>>>>>>>>>>   (left<<< from  morrisons) onto A381


Follow this road for 7 miles passing through Harbertonford (the Jet garage here is the next cheapest) to Totnes Cross (this garage is the cheapest garage nearest the campsite.

Keep on the A381 for 4 mile until you come to a roundabout — take the 2nd exit

At 0.27 miles turn left <<<<<<< signposted Island Lodge


At 0.17 miles arrive at campsite on left<<<<<<


Celtic Arrivals


Either take embankment road from Marsh Mills roundabout then follow roadsigns to Kingsbridge taking the 1st exit on the roundabout on the Kingsbridge side of Churchstow


Drive for 0.67 miles to crossroads take the road ahead of you



Drive on this road for 0.78 miles and take the turning on right>>>>>> signposted Island lodge


At 0.17 miles arrive at campsite on left<<<<<<




Or


A38 to Ivybridge turn off — through Ivybridge and Bittaford turning right>>>>> onto the A3121

At 0.5 miles on crossroads go straight ahead signposted Loddiswell (ignore Kingsbridge sign pointing right)

At 2 miles pass California Cross Garage on left; just after bear left<<<<<< (signposted Loddiswell)


After 3 miles Follow the road through Loddiswell down into the valley and across a bridge


From the bend after the bridge drive for 0.8 mile to crossroads and turn left<<<<<<<<<


Drive on this road for 0.78 miles and take the turning on right>>>>>> signposted Island lodge


At 0.17 miles arrive at campsite on left<<<<<<

[mitsue]

have you seen the weather repeot   

[LePaj]

yes, let's hope they get it wrong again