I am sure most of you will know what I mean by The Land Rover Wave. The unstoppable urge to enthusiastically wave at someone else in a vehicle similar to your own. An acknowledgement of shared woe, of understanding the other person’s struggle in a way only other owners of the same, or similar, vehicle.

When I’m in the Disco 2, I wave at all other Disco 2 drivers. Most of them wave back at me (except Pete, who is a grumpy school teacher I know quite well and have told off many times for this lack of enthusiasm at 7am). I will wave at all Series Land Rovers, and old Defenders as well. Sometimes, Freelanders and Classic Range Rovers. I don’t tend to wave at anything more modern than my vehicle because let’s be honest. They’re quite numerous and I don’t want to look like a complete nutter.

Sometimes, the other vehicles wave back. Defenders less so than the rest, but then again, we should all be watching the road not other drivers on it. There is definitely a sense of community within my area that goes with it. I know that if I get myself into a spot of bother, or need to borrow a tool or device, I can put out a call and get a response within an hour usually. The willingness to assist other Disco owners is something that never fails to warm me.

I don’t know if anyone else does this, but I am also an avid applier of ‘Parking Rules.’ (If you see a vehicle the same as yours, you park next to it.) While travelling back from Devon recently, this was applied to me. I’d waved at a Disco 2 towing a caravan while they were in a lay – I was a passenger at the time – and off we’d gone. At the next services, the Disco pulled up next to mine and we were able to have a natter. The fellow was going home after watching the Howling Wolf Winch Championship. We got onto restoring Land Rovers, and he gave me some good tips on getting the new bulkhead back on Harriet when the time comes. I’ll take a car park tip any day of the week!

I gave the chap a Land Rover Life sticker and we went on our separate ways. The next stop yielded similar results from another Disco 2. I parked next to them, and the driver said with a smile that he heard me coming and knew before I ever pulled up.

I’ve said before that it is the community feeling that makes owning these vehicles as much of a joy as it is. Whether it’s waves, car park tips or just knowing that you’re not alone in the ‘joy’ of owning a Land Rover, it truly makes it what it is.