Grenadier wrote:

As for tractors, I appreciate they have a job to do, but because locally we have small farms, most have old, slow tractors that bimble long at 25kmh, yet refuse to move over. For example, we have five laybys between the town centre and the lower valley 5kms down the road. Tractors never, ever, ever move over. Ever. Never ever. And even at the bottom, where there is a roundabout, if you don't peel off in the other direction it might be a further 2-3kms before the next roundabout/junction. God forbid you get stuck behind one with the driver bouncing around like he's sitting on a whoopee cushion. As I said, I appreciate they have a job to do, but so do I, so even pulling over once in 5km whould be a help, but no, impossible.

Yes, that's incredibly annoying, I know. Which is why I like to pull over when I can
You have no idea how annoying it is to pull over, let a load of cars past and then get stuck behind them bimbling along slower that I was going before.

Courteous caravanists and cyclists are fine, there just seem to be a disproportionate number that aren't. We have a couple of cycle races through the village each year (not entirely sure how road racing of bicycles is legal on open roads, but there you go) and they're a complete menace.

Grenadier wrote:

As for tractors, I appreciate they have a job to do, but because locally we have small farms, most have old, slow tractors that bimble long at 25kmh, yet refuse to move over. For example, we have five laybys between the town centre and the lower valley 5kms down the road. Tractors never, ever, ever move over. Ever. Never ever. And even at the bottom, where there is a roundabout, if you don't peel off in the other direction it might be a further 2-3kms before the next roundabout/junction. God forbid you get stuck behind one with the driver bouncing around like he's sitting on a whoopee cushion. As I said, I appreciate they have a job to do, but so do I, so even pulling over once in 5km whould be a help, but no, impossible.

Sometimes it is oh so welcome to have a tractor sitting in front of you.

 You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation.
http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o
https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I
https://vimeo.com/201482507
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw

languedoc wrote:

We have the same issue in the Pyrenees. Just back from house viewings in the valley and stuck behind a caravan train all the way back. Lots of passing places too

Thankfully not too many Aixams round my way but that's just because less people get caught!

ericvv wrote:

Grenadier wrote:

As for tractors, I appreciate they have a job to do, but because locally we have small farms, most have old, slow tractors that bimble long at 25kmh, yet refuse to move over. For example, we have five laybys between the town centre and the lower valley 5kms down the road. Tractors never, ever, ever move over. Ever. Never ever. And even at the bottom, where there is a roundabout, if you don't peel off in the other direction it might be a further 2-3kms before the next roundabout/junction. God forbid you get stuck behind one with the driver bouncing around like he's sitting on a whoopee cushion. As I said, I appreciate they have a job to do, but so do I, so even pulling over once in 5km whould be a help, but no, impossible.

Sometimes it is oh so welcome to have a tractor sitting in front of you.

As it happens Eric, you are quite right. I was in an Armoured Defender Snatch Wagon (4000kgs with no bodies, fuel, equipment etc) stuck in a field just outside Newry in Northern Ireland at silly-o'clock in the morning, after the driver tried to do a 3-point turn in a wet field. The farmer heard the revving from the V8 and came to the rescue. Thankfully he wasn't in to politics, otherwise he might have just left us for fun and then it would have been one of these to get me out (which would have been a great start to my, by then, 2-month old Regimental career ).


Click image to enlarge

But the last time I was bogged-in in a Defender, was after horrendous rain on Salisbury Plain leading us to getting stuck in a tank rut at 45 degrees, and deep enough that mud and water were coming in the driver's side window and over the rear tailgate. This time I was pulled out by one of these.

 Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey

Grenadier wrote:

languedoc wrote:

We have the same issue in the Pyrenees. Just back from house viewings in the valley and stuck behind a caravan train all the way back. Lots of passing places too

Thankfully not too many Aixams round my way but that's just because less people get caught!

Dutch by any chance?

Strangely lots of swiss this year so far. Must not be enough mountains at home