As I write this, the LRO show is nothing but a distant memory. You can read about it in this month’s issue. But it’s always a sad moment for me. LRO is the last major show of the year, and certainly the last LRLife show stand of the year. The camping gear gets stored away waiting for the spring, and thoughts turn to some preventative maintenance on the Land Rovers. For most of the year I have been using a mixture of the 1967 109” Series 2a or the 2020 Defender 110 depending on the event (and how lazy I was feeling), but for LRO I finally got my 100” Land Rover hybrid out and what a joy it was. Whilst 15 mpg may make some people baulk, the roar of the V8 for the 100-mile journey brought a smile to my face, if not tinnitus to my ears.

We still have a good chunk of the year left however, so it is not all melancholy. A few plans are being bounced around between friends for some greenlaning trips. The admin team do need to look for some different routes around Derbyshire for next year’s Waterside Weekender as well, more details on this can be found in this month’s issue too. But whilst greenlaning and meeting up with friends is great, it just isn’t the same as gathering round a campfire with the banter flying thick and fast.

But this down time also allows time to fettle our trucks. I have plan’s a plenty for mine, with only time and money getting in the way of actually completing them. Oil changes and rust protection are a must, but the 109” has a few battle scars from the last few years of abuse and I am starting to think a bit of TLC is needed. My 109” is used for camping as well as greenlaning and at the LRO I saw some very nice interiors that have got me thinking. Should I rip out the back and start again? A lot of work, but it could be worth it as quite often the 109” is my bed for the night. And here lies my biggest problem. Ideas and big plans are easy for me. Execution is often more difficult. You only have to see the progress or lack of on my 1968 nut and bolt restoration to see what I mean.

So, the big question, what are you doing to fulfil your Land Rover Life now the shows are behind us for another year? Do you have big trips planned? A rebuild? Winter Camping? We would love to hear how you are going to spend you autumn and winter months, so please let us know at admin@lrlife.co.uk