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  Some parts of the Welsh backwoods are pretty rugged - but the rough terrain proved no match for our intrepid band of flat-fender adventurers. I'd hauled our own oldster, the Hotchkiss Eugene, across country into the forests of north Wales, while John from 4x4 Magazine trailered his own Hotchkiss - Hotrod - to the venue, where we were joined by Chrysler UK's Willys Elusive Elaine. There was no particular reason for the outing, it was just a chance for me to join the team from 4x4 Magazine to do a little bit of old-fashioned trail driving, barbequeing and - in spite of the autumn chill - camping out. During the day we paused at the renowned Fire Rock to warm ourselves around a roaring fire and brew up a warming cuppa (helped down by a quick swig of single malt from the old hip flask) and even though rain-lashing winds gusting up to 70mph were swaying the treetops we stayed warm and dry that night in tents pitched under the trees. The trails we drove were at an off-road centre near Bala, and being typical forestry land it had its fair share of steep climbs, rocky descents and picturesque quarry locations for photographer Wayne to get the emotive images he was after. Eugene chose the occasion to lose its starter motor - still not sure whether it's the motor that's gone or the wiring feeding it - so we had to resort to the starting handle, which proved surprisingly effective - just one quick swing was usually enough to fire the old dog up. Chris from 4x4 Magazine piloted Elusive Elaine on our wet and windy day out, look out for his full report in a coming edition of the magazine soon.
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