Words by Mike Cuff and Phil Walker

For the fourth year running, J33P started the year with a visit to Clyro Court. As well as the usual faces, the event again attracted quite a few first timers to a J33P event, including a group from Swansea, one of whom, Wayne Towell, may be making an appearance in the back of TOR after rolling his Fourtrack on its side!

After the event briefing in the carpark of Baskerville Hall, four groups headed of to explore the site and tackle the punches that Angela and myself put out Friday afternoon. The punches being located all around the site, including the ever popular riverbed, bumps and mud holes at the top of the site, the mud holes that the guys from Swansea found so enjoyable - just watch the videos. Rather than describe my weekend, along with event photos, the vidoes taken by Mike Jenkins and Richard Eden, I"m going to let Phil Walker take over and describe his weekend with Claire (his daughter), myself (tagging along), Will Brighton and Dan Fabb, Dan fulfilling the role of group WB. For a different view of the event checkout Wendy Wades Through the eyes of a first time Winch Bitch article. @p1 @p1 However before handing over to Phil, a few closing comments, thanks to Angela and Dan for helping with the punches, well done to Phil and Will for getting all of the punches and to Mark Sansum in his Land Cruiser for tackling the punches in possibly one of the largest vehicles to come to a J33P event, punches that were set up by people have much smaller vehicles!!!

Cuffy

Phil's weekend...

Well it was certainly cold when we gathered for the briefing stood outside the impressive Baskerville Hall, but thankfully dry and sunny. Expectations were as usual high for one of the club’s favoured venues.

After freezing, airing down and eating the day’s food before setting off we headed straight for punches laid out by Angela and Mike the day before - and what a treat they turned out to be. Working in a small group of Will and myself, with Cuffy wanting to get his own punches we made rapid progress through a combination of easy to drive to, moderate to severe winches and mental challenges to get to and from, without damage.

After knocking off a good few and re-arranging tape to make them harder before, we did them (yes – not after…) we decided the river bed should be taken on again. This is as always one of those runs to be driven and looked t later. If you walked it first why the hell would you try to drive it? So the cunning Cuffy and Angela had hidden punches in the riverbed…

We could hear the thrashing of various 4x4’s in the woods, but the site is large so came across few others. A well equipped Disco and Land Cruiser playing in a mud hole a Daihatsu trying to lie down and a Landie putting I guess a CV joint in.

3pm and all punches were done. We made a decision to go back and fix the minor damage done during the daylight. A wheel bearing that needed fixing on mine (Jeeps are tough but a 100 miles on a warn bearing is having a laugh) and amazingly Will blew a UJ on the hotel drive. All fixed in the car park while Cuffy as usual gave his Jeep a full service and supplied a few spare parts as needed.

Great group dinner in the hotel and onto the famous disco – well that remains only for those who attended.

Sunday was here before we were ready, or in some cases back from the disco.

More punches – this time devious Dan Fabb decided to go out with Cuffy early and judging by the locations wanted to see where it was possible to get a 4x4. Well they were soon knocked off again, with a bit of a scare here and there, some delicate winching and a lot of use of waffles.

Midday and all done again so after a bit of leisurely driving around, decided to cut our losses before we broke something at the last minute and headed for home.

Great fun and a thank you to those guys who took the time to set out the course and for the new members of the club who came out for fun. From what I can see all enjoyed the weekend and of course we’ll be back soon.

The videos...

Video 1 - Mike Jenkins
Video 2 - Mike Jenkins
Video 3 - Mike Jenkins
Video 4 - Mike Jenkins
Video 5 - Mike Jenkins
Video 6 - Mike Jenkins
Video 7 - Mike Jenkins
Video 8 - Mike Jenkins
Video 9 - Mike Jenkins
Video 10 - Mike Jenkins
Video 11 - Mike Jenkins
Video 12 - Mike Jenkins
Video 13 - Mike Jenkins
Video 14 - Mike Jenkins
Video 15 - Mike Jenkins
Video 16 - Richard Eden

Some photos...