When I pulled up to the Waterside Campsite for our third Waterside Weekender, it was already buzzing with excitement. Well over half of the expected attendee’s had arrived and the camping field was a mix of people pitching camp and people just chilling and catching up. This year was a bumper year for us, with around 25 units booked. This meant that for the first year, not only did we fill the first field, we had people in the second field also.

After the rain showers of last year, we had moved the date into July and right into the middle of the heatwave we were having. It was going to be a hot one for sure. On my drive from home to Waterside, which was all done on beautiful country A and B roads, I noted that on some on the longer climbs Minty started to splutter due to fuel vaporisation at the high revs.

The Friday evening was spent going round the campsite meeting all the attendees. It was really great to see that around 20% of the people attending had never been to a Land Rover Life / Series 123 club event before. As the night progressed people put their names on the Greenlaning lists and we were pretty much near our maximum capacity for guided drives. Events like this rely on others to help the weekend run smoothly, and at this point I would like to thank all those that agreed to lead a group of greenlaners. With 5 groups of Land Rovers (and a Toyota Smurf) wanting to go out, we couldn’t have done it with our guides. So, thank you to Ann & Rich Trusson, Phil and Sue Gibbs, Robin and Patrick Sanderson and Mark Cooper (Who also organised the brilliant band). The night finished off with many of us sat in the barn, listening to music and having a cheeky beer or two.

Above – Weekends like this rely on people willing to be leaders. Rich took his responsibility to the next level however! Below – You could not move for Land Rovers around Edale!

In the morning, coffee brewed and bacon sizzled. It was going to be a good day. Setting off from 9.30am in 20-minute intervals the greenlaning would take us on a 70 Km tour of the amazing Edale Scenery. If you have never been to this part of the country before it is certainly worth a visit.  

As I gathered the group I was leading, I noted LRL Admin Violet had still to arrive. She had been having issues with Tak her Series 1 86” so it was touch and go whether she would make it. The group I had was made up of LRL members who had never been out with us before, so we held a quick drivers briefing about ensuring we kept together as a group and we were off!

Below – Someone was living their best Toyota Life!

Dave was my navigator and gate opener, and within a couple of miles of the campsite via the steep 2nd gear all the way climb that is Mam Tor, we got to our first lane. Starting off as a tarmac entrance to a campsite, the track becomes a dirt track and is a nice gentle start to the day. As we get to the end of the lane, a quick drive on tarmac had us at the start of lane two. This is a great lane and has some technical sections as you drive down towards Pin Dale Quarry.  It starts off narrow and very rocky before opening out with a great axle twister. I was worried that this may be a bit too much too soon for some of the group, but as they all appeared through the tree’s smiles could be seen all around.

Above Left and Right – The lane past Pin Dale Quarry certainly gave the suspension a work out!

We drove through Hope as we headed to the next set of lanes that would take us down into Abney. Passing Abney, we head on the tarmac to Highlow Farmhouse, where a tight left hander would take us onto the next set of lanes. There is a stone post here so those with a long wheelbase need to swing right before turning left to make sure you can get round. The track takes you along the edge of Dunge wood, the road then twists and turns though a small hamlet before straightening up. This brings you out at Shatton, where a couple of turns later you are on the A6187 Hope Road. Last time we were here there were road works which made getting onto the main road as a group impossible, however this time the traffic lights had moved and were now 3-way so we all stayed together – Result! Next stop was the petrol station, where those who needed could fill their tanks and buy food for lunch. We had a nice spot planned a few miles away.

After leaving the petrol station we turned at Bamford Station and took a lane that ran along the golf course. After this we had a pleasant drive though some wooded area’s before climbing Cattis-side Moor onto the tops and driving along Ringinglow road to our allotted lunch stop. As the road snakes around, a short but incredibly bumpy track takes you to the car park at Burbage Bridge. This short track caught a few of us out with a couple of tow bars catching on the rocks which also managed to bend the U bolts on one 86” leaf spring!  There is a coffee trailer here, so it makes a good stopping point and the views are fantastic. The other reason for stopping here is space, as each group met up with the group that was ahead of them.

Above & Below – The lane where we had lunch gave the groups chance to meet up and say hello!

With full tummy’s we set off, the next lane was just around the corner. This lane used to be an old coach road, and in some places, it reminds me of Rudd Land Rigg. It’s a nice, interesting lane, not too troublesome but with some great views.

As we were well past the halfway point of the circuit, we were technically heading back towards the campsite. A turn at Grindeford took down a fairly straight lane before heading to Eyam and the next lane, before driving towards the campsite on the A623. A quick detour saw us take in two further lanes before heading back.

It’s always a concern when you lead a group that people are enjoying it, especially if greenlaning is new to them. During the day we would stop to take in the views, and chat, and this gave me a chance to gauge how people were doing. But I shouldn’t have worried, as all were enjoying the day. There was a family feel to the day as we had three generations of the same family in two of the vehicles (The dad did apologize for his son’s Toyota!), we had a pair of brothers in a really nice ex-military soft top 90 and a father and daughter in an old One Ten. We didn’t loose anyone on the route, and we had no breakdowns, so it was indeed a great day out.

Above – The day was filled with spectacular scenery. Edale is certainly a beautiful place to visit.

As we pulled onto the campsite, I noted Violet and Amy standing next to Tak. They had made it to the campsite in enough time to join a group, but over heating issues had caused them to turn back. Checking over Tak, Violet was sure it was the head gasket. As the other groups returned, people started to gather next to Tak and a plan was hatched. One guy had a spare head gasket at home about 10 miles away. Mark the farmer had a spare radiator in his barn. In no time at all, bits were removed and the engine was laid bare awaiting a new gasket. This is part of the essence of Land Rover Life. When someone has an issue, people just help. Toolboxes will appear, spare parts that people carry are brought out and before you know it you have a pit crew Mclaren would be proud of. An hour or two later the engine was being put back together, but more importantly to the non-mechanically minded the BBQ had been lit. Whilst Violet, Amy and a few others worked hard, the rest of us cracked open the beer and cooked our food. All had returned back to the campsite, and all had enjoyed the day. It was now time to party. As the band arrived and started to set up and sound check, Violet had to admit defeat, a manifold gasket was needed and no one had one. Luckily Amy had the sense to also bring her own car meaning Tak was left in the field and Amy and Violet got home safely with a plan to return the following day.

Above and Below Left – The focus for the Saturday evening was the barn were a live band kept us entertained.

A lot of people had generously donated differing things for the raffle meaning an eclectic array of prizes were on offer – including of course Land Rover Life merch. After the gaffer tape was finally won, the money was counted and £130 was made, meaning £65 for each charity. A great effort indeed and a huge thank you to all who support Ann in her fund raising.

The band came on louder than ever with the next set belting out “Killing in the name of” then “Smells like teen spirit”. The evening was great, and the England win finished off a great day.

Sunday started with the usually coffee and cooked breakfasts as people started to pack up. Violet turned up and started to work back on Tak and I, to be honest, just chilled out. The sun was shining and the views from the Campsite are a delight. Shortly after setting off home, Mike in his 86” returned. He had lost all brake fluid, with a leaky front piston being the culprit. He had to make an emergency stop the day before, when the fellow Land Roverist he was following had to quickly stop after being attacked by a wasp, and he suspects this is what caused the old cylinder to fail. Mike made the sensible decision to call a recovery truck rather than try to drive home, towing a trailer on hilly roads with poor brakes.

Above – Mike found a fuel saving tip for his return journey.

Later in the evening we got a message that Violet had also had to admit defeat and called the Breakdown. Getting home at 1pm wasn’t ideal but that’s the other side to Land Rover Life. You sometimes have to take the rough with the smooth.

The weekend was deemed a success, and we have plans to do it all again next year, if you were on the cusp of joining us maybe this will convince you!