KENT TO CORNWALL.7 – 12 May 2007

 Attendance poor! 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Awaiting Hard Copy Photos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Those who undertook expedition formed orderly convoy of 2.

(Front and back door respectively)!

 DAY ONE:- Monday 7 May

 The Off.  Expedition departed 9.30 a.m. from Tesco. Cheriton

 in torrential rain.  (Delay caused by faulty coffee machine at 1^st fuel stop)        

First byway, Etching hill.  Ian sustained broken wing mirror trying to avoid walker and dog in narrow lane.

Lanes 2 – 8 completed.  Lane 9 good long byway. 

 On reflection, byway 6 a bit dodgy halfway through as to which way to proceed.  Finally sussed out the complicated gated access in order to continue. 

There was considerable roof-clobbering during remainder of this byway – probably accounting for it showing evidence of hardly having been driven before today.  Rest of day proceeding to plan up to when Ian “popped” a spring.

  It was proposed to omit byways 12 & 13 at this point as time was getting on re setting up camp for the night.  Motion 2nded and carried.  Arrived at Springbok approx 5.p.m. ish.

Pitched, cooked inevitable stew, ate and paid some bloke who turned up (saying he was from Seaman’s’ Mission?) for the privilege of being in a windy field - £7.50 per each!

 Paid `courtesy` visit to the bar for refreshment – rotten job but someone’s got to do it! – On behalf of Invicta of course.  End of day 1.

 Miles travelled = 140.

DAY TWO – Tuesday 8 May.

 Up, breakfasted and off at the crack of 10.30!  Detour to Dunsfold to seek replacement wing mirror for Ian.  Mission successfully accomplished.

 Height restriction barriers re 1^st byway anticipated as being problematic.  However, decided to reccy to see how much, if any, was driveable, rather than be defeatist and just not bother to go there – which had been mentioned.

 Utilising dual driver split-second eye co-ordination and communication skills – i.e. Stuart looked left and Ian looked right – established just in time the need to hook a rapid left from the main “Devils Punch Bowl” road into a narrow road sign posted “Youth Hostel”.

Shrugging aside any fears that we were too old to go further! – proceeded until we ‘struck gold’ reaching the byway through some spectacular countryside.

There were notices emphasising great care and attention to be paid to surroundings through this area, with positively no parking although we did stop ever so briefly (officer!) to take photos in a particularly picturesque bit before proceeding.

 Then -  we were confronted by ‘The Steps’ - a not-to-be-missed challenge to the dedicated off roader.

 Have to say I didn’t think it looked doable.  However, Stuart rose to the challenge and with much rock shifting, building work, suspension bridge style construction together with waffles, will power, and sheer bloody-mindedness the Green Machine overcame all and made it to the top.

  Ian decided (wisely) to decline the dubious thrills and excitement of hurling his vehicle into the trees and dashing it against the rocks and left the byway in the opposite direction.  This was the highlight of the week thus far.

 Forgot to mention that Stuart sustained puncture on Day 1 (or rather one of his tyres did!)  I am writing this sitting in a rural tyre-fixing establishment somewhere near East Worldham as per road book.  Just completed byway 5 (time 3.10 p.m.)

Ian sustained:

(a)     Driver side wing mirror wrenched from moorings ending up beneath vehicle –retrievable only via Stuart crawling under.

(b)     Springs popped out again – being fixed as I write.

 Ian has decided to remove both wing mirrors as an economy measure!

 This had been “Extreme Warning” byway – notoriously challenging/damaging.  Definitely lived up to reputation.

 It had been agreed to detour to Alton to find a Halford Style store etc.  Shopping list:-

1.    Bedroll (Janice’s camp bed found to be to big for tent)

2.    Padlock for Stuart’s sand mat (original lost during “The Battle of the Steps”)

3.    Towel (Janice forgot to pack and needs a wash!)

4.    Assorted iron mongery for Ian.

 Shopping completed and information obtained re finding a camp site for the night….yes I know we were supposed to be rough-camping on a byway – as per road book – but time dictated abandonment of further bywaying today.  However, in hindsight it may well have been quicker to have driven the 15 remaining byways than be subjected to the abundance of paperwork involved in the booking into the camp site we eventually located – but that’s for another time.  Had dinner in a pub – we felt (or convinced ourselves!) we had earned this luxury?

 After such blatant self-indulgence we ‘paid’ for our sloth by enduring a dismal rainy night, enhanced by the constant drone of the lesser-spotted Artics in the lay-by running immediately behind the hedge where our tents were pitched.

 Total miles for day 2 = 55.  Forgot to mention – Stuart sustained puncture no. 2 today.

 DAY 3 – Wednesday 9 May

 Still b**@@!!.y raining.  Packed up in it and set off approx. 10.00 a.m.  Luckily, Ian remembered the code no for barrier in order to vacate comp site – not sure of the

name, “Campditz” or something like tha

 First byway reached, everything going well.  Byway 2 required some rigorous pruning of over hanging trees otherwise a very pleasant drive even though a bit tight and scratchy in parts.

 Byway 6 had height restriction barrier by farm buildings – not problem causing.  All going splendidly until byway 7 where Stuart enjoyed his third puncture of the trip!  Just goes to show – penalty for not repairing punctures as they occur result in running out of spare tyres.  This could have been somewhat disastrous but fortunately Ian’s spare fitted the green machine – albeit a fraction smaller – but we were able to proceed at a limp.  Inevitably, rest of schedule had to be foregone whilst we set off to Salisbury in search of further tyre-mending people.

 The abandoned schedule had comprised 8 byways. Back on track therefore at byway no. 17.

 Nice steady drive, slowing to approx. 2 miles per hour as two fugitive lambs had decided to take a stroll along the lane in front of us.  As predicted in road book, crossing the A303 dual carriageway was extremely perilous but thanks to a kindly trucker who held up traffic flow sufficient for us to cross and complete byway.

 No further hiccups and enjoyed rest of journey over byways 18,19 and 20 – the latter allowing us the view of Stonehenge.

 Time to head for campsite.  No problems finding from the road book but it turned out not to be the one we had stayed at on a previous trip.

 However it proved to be an extremely entertaining experience.  Did usual booking in bit with pleasant lady who directed us to yonder tent pitching area.  Chose a really good and boggy spot adjacent to a duck pond.  Don’t think it was actually a duck pond, more a very large puddle but with a mother duck and 3 chicks in residence.  Only other tent pitcher turned out to be a friendly cyclist travelling alone.

 It was amazing just how friendly he turned out to be!  We had just finished a decent camp curry and settled round barbeque-style camp fire – exclusive design by Stuart,

along with Ian’s brother-in-law whom, living in the area, had arranged to pay us a visit.  Over the course of this wet and windy evening, friendly cycling camper paid several visits.  Firstly to borrow cooking oil

with which to prime his - newly purchased from the campsite shop – frying pan.  He made a return visit later brandishing above utensil this time containing beef burgers.  Permission was granted for him to fry his tea on our fire and “would we mind if he stayed on to eat it?”  Naturally we made him welcome, drank his wine and a companionable evening passed.

Miles travelled Day 3 = 81.

 DAY FOUR – Thursday 10 May.

Set off approx. 9.30 a.m.  Bade farewell to very damp FCC and made our way to first byway of the day.

 Forgot to mention that we had decided at commencement of trip to mark all byways out of 10 as a simple ease-rating guide for vehicles’ passage on byways for future reference.  Byway no 1 therefore merited a straightforward ‘9’ as was byway no. 2.

 Directions to byway 3 contained reference to passing a Church on our right, which, despite much utilising of my navigational skills I failed to spot.  (Not wishing to cast any aspersions upon Darren’s road-bookmanship)!  Also, “passing under railway line” turned out to be an unmanned crossing.  Vital information for safety of possible future convoys of more than two vehicles.  Byway no. 3 was reached via access into and from an actual road lay-by, again useful info for future identification.

 Although journey through byways 3-6 passed pleasantly and uneventfully enough “byway” no. 7 was in fact the UCR (unclassified road) as per road book.  It ran for 3.7 miles, a long stretch of track flanked by deep-filled drainage ditches. Progress was unthreatening unless one counted the abundance of curious herds of cows

Stampeding towards us as we passed, as a threat!  Luckily, boundary fencing ran along-side ditches.  All was going well until an oncoming vehicle with trailer was spotted in the distance.  As it approached we made several attempts to pull over onto one of the gated access points to fields – Green machine nearly went into the drink – when oncoming vehicle was seen to pull off the track well ahead.  As we passed, Stuart politely acknowledged the driver – as one does – only to be met with a hostile reciprocation.  The driver, whom at first was thought to be female with waist-length blonde pony tail, was in fact a dire looking fellow leaning on his trailer writing on a piece of paper as we passed him.  The remainder of the drive was spent pondering as to whether or not he had been noting our number plates, reasons for which we could only speculate.  Pity this incident was rather “mockers-on-the-track” – for the putting of.  However, we decided to dismiss the matter, after all there may have been no sinister intentions re the note taking, the guy was probably just writing his shopping list?

 Although there were only 8 byways on today’s itinerary we found the day ran out before we could complete it.  As heavy rain had taken over, we felt it prudent to head for campsite, especially as final track was also listed as a UCR.

 Tonight’s stop was to take place on a farm on Dartmoor.  This seemed like something to look forward to!

 Road book indicated specified site informed of our prospective arrival.  However, elderly gentleman who greeted us did nothing to convince of this.  After much shuffling of paperwork covering desk top in “office” – a draughty porch – he found tariff leaflet, a complicated mathematical equation resulting in approx £8 each.  Why can’t these documents just say so?  Financial settlement completed, we were delivered into the hands of a young lady who provided a lengthy guided tour of the extensive grounds – seemingly oblivious to the torrential downpour currently taking place.  With our severe weather clothing keeping nice and dry in the vehicles where we had left them, we continued our sodden (in more ways than one!) inspection of the premises.  On learning we were to pitch next to a rifle range – currently in use as we walked – one couldn’t help thinking this just keeps getting better!  Thoughts of B & B’s crept in – can’t imagine why.

 However, we managed to eventually pitch camp in between the heavier torrents and spent yet another stormy night.

 Approx. 6.00 a.m. someone decided this was a good time to get out a motor mower and go over the rifle range, discouraging therefore, any thoughts of a lie-in!

Miles travelled Day 4 (not noted – Stuart forgot!)

 DAY FIVE – Friday 11 May

Rain had actually stopped and unused as we were to this rarity, we were able to break camp and set off before it started again.  Travelled to first byway of the day.  This was a fairly straightforward ‘9’ but containing a modicum of confusion caused by unhelpful signage bearing the legends “byway” one end and “bridleway” the other.  Nevertheless, all sorted to satisfaction.

 Next byway however had to remain unsorted as it petered out into a footpath.  In order to add further interest to the situation, I could say there was evidence of previous off roaders blatantly defying footpath reference with subsequent skulls and crossbones etc lying about the place – but this would not be true of course – just a boring sign on the gate saying “byway ends here”.  Fortunately there was just sufficient room to turn vehicles round and go back.

 After this, a tea break was due.  Traditionally this should have been the usual brew up on the byway, but somehow it got out of control and turned into a “coffee and cream tea in an extremely desirable pub surrounded by spectacular views!  What may appear rather frivolous was justified into a prudent opportunity taken in order to further discuss route from this point (yeah right!)

 Back to business then – route ahead (outside pub) was to be accessed via a narrow bridge over the picturesque flowing river below.  It was so narrow in fact, that it was uncertain whether Ian’s vehicle would ‘fit’  Green machine made it safely over.  A forestry chap working on far side informed that a large Mercedes had spectacularly not made it, only a few days previously.

 We all watched with trepidation as Ian’s vehicles proceeded – proverbial “fag paper either side” ensured successful manoeuvre and we were ready to continue.

Following byway was a brilliant drive consisting of a series of hair-pin bends climbing the 600 plus feet as per road book mentionings.

 By now, have to say, all rainy camping bits of trip thus far had been so worthwhile. 

Stopped for further photo shoot at ford en route to next byway.  On reaching this, gobs were totally smacked to encounter a gate displaying a notice – “Welcome to this Woodland” – an extremely rare, to the point of unheard of phenomenon appertaining to off road pursuits”  Another glorious meander through the woods, giant trees, photo stop at stream etc. 

 Fantastic or what?  Regretfully left this abundance of natural beauty, anticipating “home stretch” of route – mainly tarmac.

 Final phase of the journey took us through centre of Dartmoor and over Bodmin Moor – road 8, 9 and 10 in road book.  All obviously meriting a 10/10 score, with roads 8 and 9 incorporating inevitable heavy rain throughout.  Invicta Landrover Club, Kent to Cornwall – successfully accomplished – well almost!

 With all that the journey had entailed it is with some embarrassment we have to admit to taking almost two hours to get through Exeter en route to Tintagel. (King Arthur’s Castle)

Someone, who shall remain nameless, decided on a “short cut” to final destination but we’ll say no more.

 Road book informed of choice of 4 campsites.  We picked one that was within easy walking distance of a traditional Cornish pasty shop – to be frequented the following morning.  Weather had improved to a degree.  Rain had been replaced by gale force winds making tent pitching as difficult as possible – probably in order to ensure continuity of this task being carried out under adverse weather conditions throughout entire trip!

 Tintagel had caused a spot of déjà vu for Ian and Stuart.  Ian had stayed at very same campsite as a mere lad and on our way to it through the village, we passed a pub within which Stuart had played a gig in a previous era!  It seemed fitting therefore, to while away the evening in said pub in the pursuit of nostalgia – as good an excuse as any – and reflect upon completed expedition.

 Miles travelled Day 5 = ? (Stuart forgot again)

EPILOGUE:

Despite period 7-12 May 2007 coinciding with freak monsoons invading the British climate, the trip was definitely a “can’t wait for Kent to Cornwall 2008” experience.

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

Bibliography – Thanks to Darren, Vice Chairman – well done, proper job!