With the head fixed on the buggy, I felt it was time for a Wednesday Wander to check everything was in order… So I drew a route –
You might wonder what the border line is for?…
This is the top corner of the OS Landranger Map Sheet 116 that covers my local area. There’s a link at the top of the page to “Project 116”, this was my wish to drive every greenlane on my local sheet, I’ve restarted this project but expanded it to being driving all those lanes IN THE BUGGY, not just the fact that I’ve historically driven them…
This is the corresponding area on Trailwise2, the online resource available to members of GLASS, the Greenlaning Association.
The first ‘lane to visit was a black broken line on the OS map that was marked as an UCR – Unclassified County Road on Trailwise2, and I’d previously left a comment that it was undriveable due to a “kissing gate” at one of the end of the route, so I returned just to get a photo of it…
The second ‘lane of the day, was the BOAT – Byway Open to All Traffic used as the (research) example in the Project 116 page mentioned above. I’d confirmed in the research and a previous trip, so I returned to drive up the ‘lane to that point just to mark that I’d done it, and take photos…
Just passing Bryn Cwnin Farm – these photos and videos will become familiar with the dash mounted camera looking out over the bonnet 😉
A little way into the ‘lane, just passed he barn in the photo above, and again this end of the ‘lane is blocked with bollards 😦
I flattened some of the foliage with my size ten boots for this photo.
So much for a Byway Open to ALL Traffic then?…
Back to the buggy then… Ah well, on we go… ‘lane number three, perhaps we’ll have more luck?
This is marked on the OS Map as an ORPA – Other Route with Puplic Access, and on Trailwise2 as an unclassified road, so I went for a look…
At this end it’s marked as a Bridleway, so I didn’t proceed, but went for a look at the other end…
The other end is also signposted as a Bridleway… I’ve emailed the council’s Rights of Way department for clarification…
Ah well, I know the next ‘lane is a go’er…
Approaching the communications tower in the distance…
Hence colloquially known as “Radar Hill”, there’s two radars here and…
… the Police communications tower.
Proceeding down the ‘lane as a YouTube Video –
Notice the low fallen tree at 2:40 into the video, I just managed to squeeze under it, I’m sure listening to the video that one of my soft-top roof protecting bars touched it? I’ve warned other users of this potential blockage to other vehicles via the Trailwise2 comments section.
The next ‘lane – note the ByWay sign on the left of the photo is a BOAT. Also notice the weird crossing buttons behind?
It’s a horse crossing! Featuring higher buttons if you are on horseback! 🙂
Nice drive up an overgrown stony road…
Next another Byway / BOAT back up kind of parallel to the Radar Hill ‘lane… I did video it, but it was rather dull, so I haven’t uploaded it…
I was disappointed to find the next BOAT (and one still labelled on the OS Map as an old RUPP – Road Used as a Public Path – most of which were reclassified to restricted byways under NERC, but is now signed as a ByWay), had been part tarmac’ed…
But it soon ended and went back to the stone I remember… seems they’ve just patched it with some leftover tarmac in places?…
Heading for the next ‘lane, a BOAT near Holywell Golf Course…
But came across these “ROAD CLOSED” signs, so I turned round, and have also noted this closure on Trailwise2 too…
The next ‘lane was one we have looked at several times, but have been concerned / confused at the signs at the other end of the ‘lane, more of that later, but after confirming it on Trailwise2 and reading the user comments “easy scratchy” I decided to add it to my route, here’s the video of it –
Yup! That was certainly Tight & Scratchy!
At the other end… this sign caused some confusion over the years… does that mean there’s only 5’6″ of clearance UNLESS you have access to it, i.e. the farmer in something wider?
I measured the buggy at 5’3″ so I had a full 3″ of clearance! LOL
Next ‘lane at Lixwm is pretty overgrown too!
Next a nice old road losing it’s battle with nature as it sees little use these days…
Another video of the next one… again quite tight! LOL
That’ll explain this then… Now then, this wouldn’t have happened if Alan my usual co-driver was sat there in his seat! 😉
Big long BOAT next…
Up to…
… the gate at the top, and a chance to stretch my legs 🙂
Gotta love it! 😉
Last ‘lane for today… over Moel Dywyl in the Moel Famau Country Park…
Taken at the same spot…
Through the gate at the top, and…
… and down the other side…
There’s…
… usually a great view from up here, but it’s a bit overcast… I meanit is late June?! LOL
Back to civilisation, well Denbigh anyway, for a quick £2 wash to get the worst off…
And then back home, via the tyre place…
… as my friend Jamie had split a tyre and rim I’d bought to make a full set for “lil’bugga” my next buggy build over the next few winters, again there’s a link in the top menu at the top of this page 😉
Well… that was a good day, a good test of the buggy both on and off-road, and enabled me to stick a few more map pins in my Project 116 map in my study…
Next trip is this Sunday! Off to the Peak District with some of the Jimny Jauntz group, led as always by our-Brett… so another blog real soon! 😉
JimnyBuggy 