South East London & Kent's 4x4 Bonnet Up Club' enjoyed a truly dirty weekend in Gotwick Woods (AKA The Mud Factory) near East Grinsted - Some more than others!
Saturday, armed with wellies, bamboo canes and red stripy tape, the clubs' scouting party was sent fourth into the woods, and did not return until dusk. God knows what they were doing in their all that time, but one of them returned minus a welly - Which he swears was swallowed whole by the 20' water section (Mud Factory 1 - Bonnet Up Club 0).
A challenging course was set out, both suitable for the beginners, and the more experienced club members amongst us, with their "I threw it together yesterday" hi-breeds. Camping was available overnight in the course car park and two of our younger members chose to brave it.
Sunday, saw a near full turn out from the club, helped in part by a glorious autumn weather. The two intrepid campers (you remember them) had sought solace from the cold night air, in the local night club - God knows how they both got in, and found a friend for the night - If you know what i mean.
The rest of us turned up fully refreshed and ready to go, in our Series & Defender Land Rovers, Range Rovers, Discoveries, Hi-Breeds and even a Suzuki Jeep (there's always one isn't there). After first walking the course, we seperated into two groups, one marshalling - It took about 2 and a half minutes, before the group leader (who had previouly driven the course earlier that morning, without any problem) got well and truly stuck, to howls of laughter and cry's of "Oh, it's to the right then is it?" from the 2nd team marshalling, a sadistic lot by nature - But they were to get theirs later.
This kind of set a precedent for the rest of the day, except of course for Stewart, in his Orange Frog Island 4x4 with front & rear winch's and Mike in his Series III, one of the more experienced amongst us. The mud was in places well above welly height... After lunch we had a controlled free for all (if there is such a thing!) where we tried some of the more challenging aspect of Gotwick Wood!
The clubs' bravery award, goes without a doubt to Dave & Six Pot, the Series III Ambulance, for first stalling in the 4' deep, evil smelling, water section, and then for wading around (much to everyone's amusement) in the freezing water with a can of WD40, before willing Six Pot to life and finishing the section unaided.
A full days fun was had by all and we shall certainly be booking the site again

Next month Battle...