Hills, mud and diff-lock!

Once we reached the South coast, one of the first port of calls was the Peitermaritzberg Land Rover Experience, after a kind invitation from the guys at Eastnor Castle. Here we met the incredibly experienced Andrew Brown, who runs the centre, the Defender Trophy and a whole host of other LR related fun events.

We joined a group doing some basic training and were quickly reminded of the LRE practices, many of which we use on a daily basis, but some of which we had forgotten. Many of these crucial small details such as bringing the clutch up to make certain the car is in gear before switching off on a hill, or allowing the car to stall on a failed hill ascent are there because these are lessons learned in the field where accidents have happened.

We were then handed the keys to a 2010 Defender and followed the group round a challenging course which immediately took us down a very steep, rutted section, which the defender walked down on tickover, needing next to no input on the steering. Next up were 15 continuous, opposing potholes, demonstrating full axle articulation and causing the truck to roll on 2wheels. After this it was to the side slope, where the Experience have had many people roll their trucks, a direct result of not listening to the instructions. Tash took the wheel for this section and following the advice to the letter safely negotiated the side slope, Carl just remembering to do up his seat belt before he fell out of the window. We then conquered the wet and slippery rock garden and headed up another steep, rooty ascent the traction control and anti stall working fantastically in conjunction to ensure the car just keeps pulling upwards whatever the obstacle. Even when it does come to a complete halt, all that is required is a planting of the throttle and sure enough it will overcome whatever is in its way. Supreme design by Land Rover. In a country full of worthwhile day trips and holiday activities, this is something we would both recommend to any holiday goer to SA. Great fun and an informative day.

Thanks to Andrew for welcoming us and all the advice he gave us. We had a brilliant day.