The Pyrénées - Wilderness is not a word we are used to associating with Europe, but here in the Pyrénées it's still possible to find it and lose yourself in it a little, be it on foot, bike or canoe, we enjoy them all, but the best has got to be exploring by 4x4. It is a truly magnificent region of spectacular mountains, high alpine meadows, pristine rivers and dense forests; spanning from the Bay of Biscay in the west to the warm blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea in the east creating a natural mountain border between France and Spain. For anyone who has a passion for the “great outdoors” it’s a veritable paradise of things to see and do and has been described by many as one of Europe’s last great wilderness areas. Many of the animals that were once numerous across Europe are still to be found here; from wild boar, wolves, lynx, chamois, chevre, mouflon, marmots to an increasing population of Pyrenean brown bear. There are also many birds of prey such as eagles, buzzards, kites, griffin vultures and rare Lammergeyer.

All the regions of the Pyrénées are stunning no matter which time of the year you visit, either in winter snow or summer sun, but the high mountains of the central and eastern Pyrénées to the Mediterranean are renowned for being the best and it is not just the magnificent scenery, historical villages, the food and the wine..... the people are pretty friendly too. We first "Discovered the Pyrénées" ourselves in 1991 in an old 2A Landrover and although since then we have traveled elsewhere to remote regions such as outback Australia, traversed Iceland and visited the wilds of Scandinavia several times whilst enjoying our passion for 4x4 travel and adventure, we kept coming back to the Pyrénées, until eventually we made a life change and left the UK to make Ariège in the Midi-Pyrénées our new home. We have been running Landtreks Adventure Tours from here for several years now.

Although Landtreks is based in the rugged Ariège region of southern France, we venture all over the Central and Eastern Pyrénées regions of France and also Spain and Andorra. Three different countries with several different languages and differing cultures.... they are close together in distance only! We offer a range of tours and adventure mini-breaks for the responsible 4x4 enthusiast, anyone with a passion for "the great outdoors" or those who would just like to see the real Pyrénées on more than any van or coach holiday could possibly offer. We believe we have a tour to suit everyone. Our tours are relaxed, never rushed and always informal; our aim is to show you the parts of the Pyrénées most never see or even know exist...above all we want your time with us to be enjoyable and fun for all... and we strive for that. Our tours pass through some truly dramatic and diverse areas, from high mountain passes, dense forests to winding mountain trails and pass through the most rural of villages; in places it is hard to believe you are still in Europe.

The regions we travel through...

The Ariège nestles in the Pyrénées, next to Andorra, its highest peaks visible from Toulouse. It is one of the least populated, most unspoiled regions of France, whose inhabitants have held fast to their traditions. Numerous species of butterflies, orchids and birds of prey thrive here thanks to the endurance of ancient farming practices an example of which is the annual transhumance (the movement of livestock to higher pastures in summer for good grazing and to the lower valleys in winter for protection from the weather). The Ariège also has more caves than any départment in France, including 13 that were decorated in prehistoric times. We have been to most and let us tell you they are pretty impressive; some of these vast cathedral like grottos can take hours to walk through and one our Landrover is able to drive through (see our Holidays page for more cave information). Far from the centres of power, Ariège has always served as a refuge: for prehistoric man who sheltered in the many caves, for the Cathar heretics who defied the Church, and for resistance fighters, refugees and downed WWII pilots who eluded the Nazis to escape over the mountains into Spain. The countryside is wild but accessible. Top grade trout streams rush down forested mountainsides into rivers where kayakers paddle. Way marked walking trails lead to 3000 metres peaks. Cyclists can take in a stage of the Tour de France, mountain bike down tracks or gently pedal downhill. And in winter, skiers enjoy the uncrowded pistes or strap on "raquettes" to hike the snow covered mountain trails.

The Aude is the next door neighbour to Ariège and is also known as "Cathar Country" and for good reason. It was the centre of the Cathars, a 10th-century dualistic and Gnostic Christian sect and contains some of the most memorable Cathar châteaux sites including Quéribus, Peyrepertuse and Villerouge-Termenès. The summer there is a hot and dry one, which makes it good for the cultivation of the vine and olive-trees. Wine production is extensive across the region (and very nice it is too), and local châteaux and domaines provide free tastings as well as sales of wine and other local produce. Limoux in the upper Aude Valley, is particularly noted for its local wine, Blanquette , a sparkling white wine which is said to have been the forerunner of Champagne and originally made by monks. The Corbières Hills form the central part of the department. This is an area of dissected plateaux and escarpments which form an effective barrier to direct road communication, but not trails. It is a very attractive wild area of steep hills, hidden valleys, woodland and vines. In the north of the Aude lies the medieval city of Carcassonne; it needs little introduction as it is the second most popular tourist attraction after Paris and the largest medieval city in Europe with its walls still intact. It was once a Visigothic city, sister city to Rennes-le-Château, and later a Cathar stronghold. Today it is a World Heritage Site. (see our Holidays page). We visit and enjoy it regularly with our mini-break and day tour guests.

The Pyrénées Orientales region is surrounded to the north by Ariège and Aude, east by the Mediterranean, south by Catalonia and west by the principality of Andorra. Here the Catalan and Occitan languages are estimated to be spoken by more than a quarter of the population. Prior to the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659, most of the present department was part of the former Principality of Catalonia, and it is still sometimes referred to as Northern Catalonia. The region consists of three river valleys in the Eastern Pyrénées mountain range - the Agly, Têt and Tech - and the eastern Plain of Roussillon into which they converge. Being at the edge of the chain don't think they consist of mere foothills.... in between the Têt and Tech rivers stands Mount Canigou, at over 9,100ft one of the most imposing peaks of the chain since it stands out to almost its full height above the plain, dominating the skyline. The main source of wealth in the region is its wine, of which some kinds are strongly alcoholic and others such as Banyuls are in request as liqueur wines. It's warm valleys also produce the first cherries of the season and there are many, many hot sulphurous springs in the area where you can go to bathe.

Andorra a few hours from our base is a small principality set high in the Pyrénées, a little Catalan-speaking island of mountains measuring 468 square kilometres surrounded by France and Spain. Its name is apparently a legacy of the Moors, derived from the Arabic Al-gandûra - 'the wanton woman'. It was created in 1278, in the Act of Pareatge, through which the bishop of La Seu d'Urgell (Spain) and the House of Foix (France) became co-seigneurs of Andorra, that forbid the construction of Castles. These days Andorra is a veritable mecca for shopaholic visitors in search of duty free goods and one of the top ski resorts in the Pyrénées. Outside of the towns the scenery is breathtaking.... a land of green meadows, azure lakes and waterfalls all with mountains towering overhead... We visit it regularly on our tours.

Catalonia (Northern Spain) is an immensely proud and semi-autonomous region of Spain which boasts its own culture and language, age-old customs and festivals, a highly diverse landscape, and internationally renowned culinary traditions. Situated in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula, it has over six million inhabitants and covers an area the size of Belgium or Switzerland. The Catalonian Pyrenees, part of that spectacular mountain barrier between France and Spain, dominate the entire north of the region, stretching for more than 200 kilometres from Val d'Aran, in the west, to the headland of Cape Creus, in the east, where the last rocky spurs of the Pyrenees, stripped bare by the wind and waves, plunge into the Mediterranean. It is a dramatic land of snow-capped peaks, glacial lakes, wooded gorges and astonishing rock formations, and its flora and fauna is similarly rich

At Landtreks - this magnificent environment that we travel through matters to us. Many of the trails we explore are ancient routes used over generations to gain access to pasture, for forestry or to remote villages... they were built to be used and driven! We now drive and enjoy these ancient trails too, with a tread lightly philosophy ensuring that we preserve them for future generations to enjoy and explore.

• Visiting one of the many caves - there are more in Ariège than any other department in France
• Visiting historical and medieval cities and villages - Carcassonne, Mirepoix, Villfranche-de-Conflent
• Cycling - following the routes of the Tour de France or VTT through the forest trails
• Taking the waters at one of the numerous spa towns - Ax-les-Thermes /Aulus-les-Bains
• At certain times of the year it is actually possible to swim in the Mediterranean in the morning and ski in the Mountains in the afternoon
• Searching out the varied wildlife from praying mantis to the seldom seen Pyrenean brown bears

en Landrover panoramique. Accédez aux sites les plus retirés et les plus préservés des montagnes Pyrénéenes. Vous serpenterez au coeur des plus belles pistes forestières et montagneuses du massif Pyrénéen. Rencontres insolites et paysages spectaculaires, seront au programme de votre séjour qui se voudra bien plus de simple vacances, mais une véritable aventure.

AUTRE VISITES

Châteaux Cathares, Grottes, Cavernes...........et beaucoup d'autres possibilités. Nous consulter / prix.

"Tag Along Tour" - dans votre 4x4

Voyage avec nous dans le coeur du Pyrénées; venez pour seulement un jour ou entre 1 - 7 jours.

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Hello again to 3rd time visitors John Boyce & Elaine Scoular from beautiful Scotland. They arrived with a welcome supply of goodies in the form of biscuits and beans.... thanks so much.

This time they were back for another mini-break, staying in the tiny medieval city of Mirepoix one of our favourite places to visit.

For their first day tour we headed up to Andorra, a place they visited last year whilst on a Pyrenean Explorer Tour with us. Fun was had by all at over 7,300ft up at Pas de la Cas in the snow. Their second day was spent in the sunshine touring along the mountain and forest trails in Ariège and Aude.

It was great to see you both again and we are very much looking forward to seeing you again next year.

Hello or should we say G'day to Nerida Schonfeld and Mike Stager from Eastern Australia a beautiful part of the world that we have visited ourselves. Nerida is currently teaching English in France and Mike is on long service leave from his job in Australia.

Nerida is a self-confessed castle o'holic and castles are lets be honest a tad thin on the ground in Oz; so whilst here in France and after a stay in Carcassonne to see the medieval city they decided to explore more of the region so came along with us on a day tour into the Aude to see the ancient Château of Peyrepertuse and the Galamus Gorge.

Although in the depths of winter here the sun still shone for them, until that was the picnic came out and a freak squall soaked us all..."Bagger" said Nerida..we all agreed and adjourned to the Landrover for coffee and cake.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your stay here in France; great to meet you both and maybe we'll catch up again in the future.

Hello to Bob & Jane Hedges and friends Mike and Hazel from Taunton in Somerset.

Whilst over here on holiday visiting Bobs family, Bob organised a day trip with us, as they had decided that they would like to see more of the countryside than most who visit the area would ever get to do. They came out with us for the day in our Landrover 110 and the October sun shone as we took them exploring the magnificent countryside in the Ariège and Aude on a Mountain and Forest day tour. They all enjoyed their relaxed picnic lunch (with wine) taken in a scenic forest clearing over looking the Mont d'Olmes mountain range.

We enjoyed your company and hope to see you again in the future.

Hi Wayne & Helen, Just a note to say the cd's arrived safely and we will let mike & Hazel have their copy. I see we are on the www fame at last!! Thanks for a great day out. We come out at least once a year so may well do it again.
As a matter of interest what would the maximum height be that we went up to? (for those reading this it was 4,900ft with spectacular panoramic views from the view point although we do have tours which go up to 8,000ft).
All the best and good luck with the business. Bob & Jane

Hello to Martin & Sue Shelley from Devon, who came over and tagged along in the Eastern Pyrénées. Ex-train driver Martin arrived on time in a smaller vehicle than he's used to driving and one of the smartest vehicles we have seen for a long while, a superbly fitted out TD5 110 which had recently been converted by Dormobile... and very nice it was too. Having owned 5 Dormobiles, a Carawagon and several other 4x4 campers, I must admit to being an anorak for 4x4 campers in fact Landtreks used to build the "Landtreks Campertop". Anyway...."and now for something completely different"... Martin and Sue have great sense of humours and are huge fans of Monty Python.. The weather was interesting at times, from a sprinkle of snow on the peaks to glorious sunshine on their last day, but they "always looked on the bright side of life"... "say no more say no more"...

Thanks for making the journey down and we hope to see you on one of next years Pyrenean Explorer Tag Along Tours.

Hello Wayne & Helen, I'm back at work and going through my emails from you all and I will have some photos soon !!

Well Me and Lucy had the best holiday ever, we haven't stopped talking about it since we got back the views were breath taking and the places we went were brilliant . We took 800 photos on our trip and we are sorting them out as we speak !!! We had some fun on the way home when we where stopped by the French police and had my car in bits thinking we were smuggling drugs from Africa !!!!! They couldn't believe the mud and dust on such a new car ! And asking me what I did for a living then speaking to Lucy about what I did too !! 2 hours later they said they were sorry and helped me load back up they where covered in dust !!!!!! After that we had a smooth journey home we did 900 miles in 12 hours to a good nights sleep . We will be in touch soon with some photos and I will send you the disc too by post . Thank you again for making our holiday one to remember and we will be coming back next year speak to you soon .
Lorne and Lucy

Hi All, to Martin, Kerry, Alfie, Maisie and James Rice from Cornwall. Although it had been 40+ the weather wasn't kind on their tour days.... However this didn't dampen the Rice family's enthusiasm for their Pyrenean tour one iota. The dust turned to mud and fun was had by all! Martin's 110 TD5 station wagon was well prepared for their travels including several well engineered items, my favourite being his own designed and built swing out awning. Hope to see you all on a Pyrenean Explorer in the future.

Hi Wayne & Helen Thank you so much for the CD - it brought back all the lovely memories of our two-day adventure. Alfie was suitably impressed by your snake and other bugs. You'll be pleased to know that he found his own wild snake when we were travelling up the Col D'Isere (just an adder I think...!). The children are still talking about the huge grasshopper and splashing through the puddles. It was a fantastic experience made all the better by your hospitality, enthusiasm and patience with us. We've attached a few of our own photo's - feel free to use them how you want. If ever you make it down to sunny Cornwall please feel free to get in touch. Hope to see you again - the Pyrenean Explorer sounds great - keep us in touch with dates and prices. With all good wishes. Kerry, Martin, Alfie, Maisie & James

Well well well..... hmmm... what can we say about this tour? The official line is Mr & Mrs Ankers, Mr & Mrs Jones from Welshpool and Mr Folland from Hertfordshire came on a recent Pyrenean Explorer Tour, where they all enjoyed a weeks trail driving in France, Spain and Andorra. The unofficial line is Messrs Ankers & Jones metamorphosed into a week long comedy double act resembling Laurel & Hardy, aided and abetted by Mr Richard Folland.... wives Linda and Jackie were as they say "flogging a dead horse" trying to keep them under control. Their sense of humour was infectious and as I am no stranger to a good chuckle the week proved hillarious. Peter and Nigel drove Discoveries, 300 and 200 respectively which they prepared themselves for the trip and both ran well; and as it was a tad warm they both jokingly flaunted their air conditioning, to Helen & I in our canvas 110 and especially to Richard "Dusty" Folland whose TD5 90 had only windows and vents to keep him cool. Richard's TD5 90 ran like clockwork except for a dust clogged CD player..... he is a keen member and Press Officer of the MAD Freelanders and only recently became a Defender owner (they will be glad to know it is no longer "a nice shiney D90"), though there was talk of him buying yet another Freelander.... Helen and I both very much enjoyed the tour too; thanks all for your great company... You're mad the lot of you.... come back soon! Richard said: Helen & Wayne, Thanks so much for last week. The trip was better than I expected and the scenery spectacular. I like the name 'Crazy Gang'. I think it sums us up nicely, like I said to you before, as a person traveling on your own you don't know what to expect, but I couldn't of asked for better company in either yourselves or in the others. Very funny. The trip back up through France went surprisingly well and I made better time than I thought I would, I managed to get a ferry late on Thursday morning and was home mid afternoon. I've started to clean the car up but keep finding dust where I thought I'd cleaned already. I'm trying to get some friends from MAD Freelanders to come out with me next year to do the Pyrenees explorer. I'll definitely be back whatever happens. I'll put my photos on a disc and send them to you this week, feel free to use any you like for your web site. Did you look at MAD freelanders web site? There's some nice cars on there and you'll see what Freelanders can do after a little modification.  www.mad-freelanders.org.uk Thanks again Richard Peter said: HI TO YOU BOTH  AND  SKIP,  AFTER YOUR DEPARTURE FROM US WE ALL WENT OUT FOR A GREAT MEAL. HAD A GOOD TALK ON THE WEEKS TREK WHICH ALL OF US AGREED IT WAS MOST CERTAINLY AN UNBELIVEABLE EXPERIENCE. THE FOLLOWING MORNING RICHARD MADE AN EARLIER START THAN US. JACKIE PERSUADED US INTO THE TOWN TO UNDERTAKE HER SHOPPING FIX. WE THEN ENDED UP DRIVING BACK A LITTLE AFTER TWELVE AND STOPPED IN A BEAUTIFUL FISHING  TOWN  CALLED DEVA, I THINK THIS WAS WHAT IT WAS NAMED, ON THE COAST ABOUT 30 MILES FROM BILBAO. NO HOTEL FOR JACKIE, SO CAMPED IT INSTEAD.  HAD ANOTHER MEAL OUT IN THAT TOWN AND WAS ON OUR WAY THE FOLLOWING MORNING. TRIP BACK TO THE SHIP NO PROBLEM. SHIP CROSSING WAS WONDERFUL THIS TIME. THE BEST CROSSING THE SHIP HAS HAD IN MONTHS SO WE WERE TOLD. SAW SOME WHALES AND DOLPHINS WHICH TO SAY WAS A REAL BONUS TO THE END OF WHAT WE ALL SAY IS A TRIP WELL WORTH IT FOR TIME AND IN OUR CASE THE EFFORT TO DO. SO FROM US ALL BYE FOR NOW  PETER ( THE CRAZY GANG )  

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT,NOT ONLY ARE YOU EXCEPTIONAL COMPANY TO BE WITH, WHICH LIKE YOU SAID INCLUDED THE NO END OF LAUGHS WE HAD BUT HELEN CERTAINLY COMES ACROSS AS THE FEMALE VERSION OF DAVID BAILEY. ONCE AGAIN I CAN ONLY REITERATE THE EXCEPTIONAL TIME WE HAD, INCLUDING THE LOCATION OF ALL THE  CAMPSITES,THE OUTSTOUNDING VIEWS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE WAY IN WHICH YOU RUN THE ACTUAL TOUR ITSELF, PROVIDING US WITH FIRST CLASS SERVICE. THIS BEING THE CASE WE HOPE TO REJOIN YOU NEXT YEAR FOR HOPEFULLY ANOTHER TRULY AMAZING ADVENTURE. KIND REGARDS PETER & JACKIE

Hi to Adrian & Felicity Pope who recently drove a Pyrenean Explorer Tour with us in one of their Range Rover Bobtails. What a trip!!.... stunning scenery, field repairs, dusty trails a dog obsessed with ham, and of course the wine, it was all there on this trip...but above all your good company made it special. Adrian is more used to winch challenge events so driving experience was never a question; adventure 4x4 travel is what our Pyrenean Explorer tour is all about and both Adrian and Felicity took to it like proverbial ducks to water....co-driver Felicity apart from being a knowledgeable and enthusiastic 4x4 driver herself just loves the flora and fauna of the outdoors, during the tour she discovered for us all and photographed a variety of insects and wild flowers including an intimidating large stag beetle. Also spotted where a pair of very rare lammergeier vultures, a snake, and numerous other critters.

Hi Guys, Back to work again means an attack of headless chicken after a 2 week break ! Hopefully you got home without incident ? We got very little sleep on the night you left us, as the mother of all thunder storms decided to hit that night. The tent stood up to the hours of lashing rain, and we were able to stay put, and not decamp to the car. We had decided to take your advise and go over the mountains towards Biaritz the following morning, despite the low cloud. Unfortunately, the car had other ideas, and shed an alternator belt halfway up the first incline ! As we did not have a spare, a detour back into the nearest large place was called for. Fortunately for us, we have a TDI, thus the alternator belt is not really required for daytime driving. As you know we speak no Spanish, thus a short game of charades insued which involved pointing to the logo on my Landrover shirt, plus waving the recovered broken belt. 'Ah si si ' came the reply, and a new belt was retrieved from stock - thank god we don't drive a Toureg ( spelling ?! ) !! Back under way, and back onto the autoroute. - We decided to keep things simple and safe until we reached civilisation, so avoided the mountain pass. Spent the remainder of the week driving north along the coast, and took in Royan, LaRochelle and Les Mans en route. Drove the Les Mans course, or at least the public roads bit, and visited the museum at the circuit. No further hitches with the car, and back to Calais in time for the ferry to Blighty - boo !! Once again, thank you both for the fantastic time in the Pyrenees. We hope to be back at some point in the future, as we obviously only scratched the surface of what is there. Hope you are well, and keeping busy. Best regards, Adrian & Felicity.

Hi Helen and Wayne Finally got round to sending "official" thanks for a great weeks driving. When we've been driving in France and Italy previously, we've often seen intriguing tracks snaking up into the hills and wondered what it would be like to drive them, well now we know - FANTASTIC! We enjoyed the wonderful scenery and good company and benefitted from all your planning and research. Back at home now polishing (minor) scratches off the Defender to get it ready for its new home and Barry's looking forward to the arrival of his new 110. Hope the weather has bucked up a bit and the rest of your season goes well. Regards, Sandra and Barry.

Hi to Bob & Gilly and hi again to Wendy & Dave who came over from the UK and spent a week with us driving the trails in the Eastern Pyrénées. 4x4 driving instructor colleagues Gilly & Bob have 3 Toyota Landcuisers between them and sung their praises all week, much to fellow driving instructor and Landrover fan Dave Laviers amusement. The Landcruiser v Landrover t-shirt wearing and banter between them was hillarious... Bob did admit to owning Landrovers too and Dave reluctantly rode as passenger in Bob's Landcruiser when they took a day off from trail driving to visit Andorra (but unusually for me I missed the opportunity to get a photo of the event). It is always a pleasure when Dave & Wendy come over for a tour, more friends than guests these days. As lovers of mountain terrain they are very much at home here in the Pyrénées and good company too.

We hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip.... keep in touch.

Dear Wayne,Helen + Skip, Many thanks for the week we were with you in early June. We loved Quillan,and can recomend the restaurent at the Hotel Cartier. We also found a good restaurent(French/English couple) called 'Restaurent La Gallerie', situated about 400 m. from the hotel towards the river. We stayed on a day to visit Puilaurens and Peyretouse castles(quite a climb), whilst Bob and Gilly had to hoof it home. Leaving Quillan, we visited the Millau bridge, and then spent a few nights in the Gorge du Tarn, where we went through the 'Detroits' with a Batelier from Malene!!(rafting the civilised way). Then on to Langeac by way of Le Puy En Velay, for a week of green-laning and chilling out. Arrived in uk last Sunday to atrocious weather and unbelievable flooding. Wendy's navigation only failed once when she turned me left onto the ferry, and we should have turned right towards the South!. Thanks again for an enjoyable time. Best Regards David and Wendy Laviers  

Hello to Barry & Sara Kilburn who flew out for an anniversary mini-break and stayed in the tiny characterful medieval city of Mirepoix. More used to exploring the outdoors on horseback, this time they let our hardworking Landrover 110 take the load, whilst exploring the châteaux and trails of the region. It was great to have you here and we hope you enjoyed your extra day spent in the old city of Carcassonne. We hope we'll see you for a Tag Along Tour in your Discovery 3 in the future.

Dear Helen and Wayne, Just a quick note to thank you both so much for a wonderful holiday. We had a great time and very much enjoyed our time with you both and the tours, plus of course the recommedations of the Hotel des Consuls and the restaurants. In fact what we got in Mirepoix compared very favourably with the hotel in Carcasonne. Thanks also very much fo rthe CD which was a lovely touch. Barry has looked at the website pic of us and tells me we look OK. I am going to pass your details on to his sister in Canada as think they might like to come over to you when they are next here. As for us we loved it all and I'm sure you will see us again before too long. Best wishes Sara and Barry

Hi Wayne and Helen,  trust you are both well and still exploring. Ta for including me on your website, even if I am in a dodgy looking hat! It was great  to see you both again and thanks for looking after me so well. It was a great trip and what absolutely stunning scenery. I have tried to explain to friends what it was like but it's impossible (as you know). Flying back into the UK with cold and wet conditions was a little hard to bear, still there is always the TD5 to look forward to!  I will speak to you both soon. take care,   Phil

Hi to Craig & Jan from Suffolk who whilst over here on holiday came out for a Tag Tour. They said... Hi Guys, Thanks for a great time off roading, greenlaning or laning as we call it in England (Tag Tour???). We arrived back OK in 'Freeo' (their Freelander), dusty but not a scratch when we cleaned him up though and the CD was waiting for us at home, didn't realise that you'd took so many photos of us. Can't wait to get back next summer so we'll call you soon as we get our hols sorted. TTFN Jan and Craig

Hello to Chris & Mel from Devon, who recently tagged along with us. Chris has owned many Landrovers over the years from his Series 1 he found in a field and restored, to a Discovery and several Defenders. Mel has a brilliant sense of humour and with favourite old TV shows from the Fast Show to Bush Tucker Man in common a great laugh was had by all. Mel said.... Dear Helen and Wayne Thanks for giving us such a fantastic time: - one of the very best things we have ever done.  Hope your journey home was good.  Ours was as per plan, plane on time and flight back good.  Weather here in Devon similar to yours, but a few degrees cooler, (sorry to be so British with the weather thing)!  We have looked at the photos already, and will be back as soon as we are able, the girls say there's no way they arn't coming next time and they want to see everything, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!  Chris will sort out emailing you some pictures.  Better go..... and find the school uniform for tomorrow, do washing, etc myself, but I think I'll have a glass of red first...... Lots of Love to you both and thanks again for all your generousity. Mel and Chris xxxx  Thanks for your kind words and we look forward to seeing you again and meeting the girls.

Hi to John Boyce & Elaine Scoular from Scotland. As soon as we met them their sense of humour and easy going natures shone through.... John is a very keen Landrover enthusiast and as a member of the Scottish Landrover Club both his 300 Tdi Discovery and classic series 3 "Basher" see regular off road use. This time they chose a mini-break, giving John a day exploring the mountain and forest trails and then seasoned shopper Elaine a morning at the Mirepoix market followed by a visit to medieval Carcassonne. John who loves anything with a green oval and green laning is determined to talk "reluctant camper" Elaine into a Pyrenean Explorer Tag Tour with us next year. What a real pleasure it was for us to have you both here and we are looking forward to seeing you both next year. Elaine emailed us.... Morning, As we said, we had a great time, loved your house, your company and really enjoyed the way that you were able to provide us with so much of the local knowledge and information and helped us out with the language, but most of all a big huge thanks for waiting for us in Toulouse after us missing our flight. John has already bought his GB stickers, for the car for next year (Pyrenean Explorer) .... About to dig the Christmas tree out now Elaine x

Hi to Gary Faulkner and Sue Archer who came over for a mini-break to celebrate 4x4 enthusiast Garys (21 again plus vat and carriage) birthday!!! The October weather as usual was excellent for their forest and mountain day tour and as they were here on a Monday they chose to visit the market at medieval Mirepoix en route to the ancient city at Carcassonne for their second day tour. After their mini-break with us, our 110 ferried them to the "pink" City of Toulouse where they took a couple of days to explore the capital of the Midi-Pyrenées; as our Landrover approached the city a lucky sight for them was the huge new A380 aeroplane taking off in front of us and flying low overhead.... quite an impressive sight!!

They wrote... Hi Wayne and Helen, firstly, thank you for making my birthday treat very special and for your excellent hospitality......... Got back safely wednesday night. the town (Toulouse) was very good, lots to do, plenty of walking. I spent thursday loading all the pictures and now have them as a rolling screan saver. Regards Gary & Sue

Hi to John Haines and Sarah Beard who together with their children Ellen and Katy drove down to us from beautiful Southern Ireland. They camped at a local campsite and Tagged Along for a few days in their white TDI station wagon. As keen riders Ellen and Katy were delighted to see the many horses along the trails. We hope you enjoyed yourselves and hope to see you next year when we expand our tours to include Spain and Andorra.

Hi to Kev and Tracy Baldwin and dog Nell. The sun shone for off duty Kev and Tracy during their week spent staying with us and exploring the Pyrénées. It was great to see you both again and to catch up on old times and travel tales..... can it really be 16 years since we first met you in Norway Kev?

Kev Baldwin will be well known to all 4x4 enthusiasts as the top features writer for Land Rover World and 4x4 Magazine and the other half of the Kev Baldwin / Wayne Mitchelson dynamic duo, so is no stranger to 4x4 adventure travel..... Kev was recently part of the team taking the amphibious 90 Defender, that he and his father restored across Scotland the hard way... via the Caledonian Canal. Congratulations guys on successfully completing the expedition...it's all in a days work though for big Kev cos...he's a wheeler you know!!!

Kev and family also own the company MUD-UK. Their aim is to provide an exclusive range of 'off-the-shelf' MUD solutions carefully selected to enhance the performance of your vehicle both on the road and off it, but are committed to remaining a chequer plate free zone... see www.mudstuff.co.ukOn their return to the UK they were kind enough to email us and say...Kev said... Just wanted to let you know what a great time we had with you. Thanks for all your help, advice and lifts (!) that made our stay with you such a pleasure and on occasion saved our tired legs. It was really good to see both again and it was nice to see so obviously settled and content in your new 'homeland'. Judging by the landscape and trails you have at your disposal, Landtreks should go from strength to strength. Keep in touch and we'll be back.

Tracy said... Hello You two!! I know Kev has emailed you but I thought I would too. Had a really nice time at your place - its a lovely place you've got there - I've passed on your details to a couple of my friends - so you never know - you could have some more Northerners staying! Could have done with another week I think - It took me a while to switch off & just as I was getting into the whole holiday thing we were on our way home!! Anyway, thanks again for looking after us & making us feel so welcome - we wouldn't mind coming back in winter (maybe without Nelly) we'll keep you posted!

Hi again to old clients and now friends Chris and Steve Hiller. Steve a professional driver by day, gave himself and his wife Chris a busman's holiday, by journeying in only one week from the South of England to the South of France and then driving for a couple of days on a Tag Along Tour with us, before returning north to Normandy and then home. Steve demonstrated his driving skills by managing to extract his camping gear laden TDI 90 from an unusually slippy bank which had caught us both out, with only 3 wheels on terra firma! Chris who would admit to having a passion for mountainous scenery of which there is plenty around here, leaves France with a new one, this time for espresso coffee.... On return to England they emailed us and said... Hi Wayne and Helen, How long did the biscuits we left you last Wayne ? Once again thank you both for a wonderful tag tour, the local knowledge made it all the more interesting, Your recommended visit to Mirepoix exceeded expectations, the market was indeed unchanged from medieval times. After a night in the log cabin at Stefans we headed north and covered 580 miles reaching  Mont St Michel that evening, busman's holiday nahhh. enjoyed Normandy till Sunday, caught the ferry back to Portsmouth total for the week 1900 miles, total problems nil, long live the legendary 90. good luck with season, stay in touch regards Chris & Steve

Hi to Dave and Wendy Laviers who stayed with us for the week and did a 4 day tag tour in Dave's latest Landrover a Defender 110CSW. Dave earns his living in the UK as a 4x4 driving instructor.... so no pressure for us and we hope we passed and that the rest of your laning trip to the Haute Loire went well. Hope it was as pleasant a week for you as it was for us and you never know Dave you may get Wendy to camp next time!!! Meeting people like Dave and Wendy and the responses we get makes our efforts seem worthwhile especially when we receive emails like theirs........ Hi Wayne, Helen, + Skippy, We're finally back in Wales, arrived early hours of Sunday morning(25th). Thank you both so much for making our stay such an enjoyable one in all respects - your good company, the wonderful views of the countryside, and the comforts of the apartment. The taste that you gave us of the Pyrenees has already determined us to come back next year. We traveled North crossing the Millau viaduct, staying in the Tarn gorge which warrants more exploration. Our journey home was relaxed with a crossing from Caen. 'VUG' 0ur 110 behaved well, the prop u/j holding out but starting to complain audibly the day after we got home. May have been to do with thrashing back to Swansea from Portsmouth in 3 hours(av. speed =64mph!) The CD of photos was waiting for us, and thus far we've reviewed the 729 you took of our holiday. I'll copy ours to cd and send them on. Please feel free to use them as 'u wish. Once again , thank you for contributing to the success of our holiday, and please call(or stop over) if you're in our area of Wales. Please keep in touch, and have your list of paints + LR parts ready for when we come out next. Au Revoir, Dave and Wendy Laviers.

We'd like to thank and we know that John Boyce and Elaine Scoular would also like to thank the staff at SBM the Landrover garage at Bayonne, in SW France. John expressed concern about an over hot gearbox en route to us and after being recovered from the auto route, SBM's helpful staff thoroughly checked over their vehicle before giving it a clean bill of health. When John and Elaine asked "what do we owe you" they were told nothing at all!! As non french speaking foreigners they could easily have been taken advantage of... they weren't... and the care and attention they received from SBM was much appreciated by them and us. Their minds were set at rest from then on and their vehicle performed faultlessly for the remainder of their trip.

LANDTREKS IN Landrover Monthly Magazine (LRM)

A big thanks to Ann Balcombe, Kate Erswell and staff from Landrover Monthly magazine (LRM). Ann kindly spread the word about Landtreks after visiting us herself for a mini-break this summer, this resulted in Kate putting together this "Wish You Were Here" feature for the LRM October issue. Cheers All.

A BIG thanks to the editors and staff of the many magazines around the globe, for their support in writing many articles and giving various mentions to Landtreks and ourselves in their publications, including: Landrover Monthly Magazine, Landrover Enthusiast Magazine, Landrover World Magazine, Landrover Owner Magazine, Motorcycle News, Living France Magazine, The Connexion (France) and numerous club newsletters.... thanks so much.

A big thanks to our computer expert, Bruce from MIRAX; an all round fountain of electrical knowledge and general nice guy.

OUR LANDROVER CANVAS 110

Nothing quite beats driving a canvas Landrover, they look so right and our ex-military 110 is no exception.... cool in the summer and surprisingly warm with the canvas down and the heater blowing, so when it came to a refit and making it suitable for camping on our tours, this is what we came up with.....

Firstly when it came to fitting a winch and winch bumper we decided on a T-Max 12500 mounted on an equally tough bumper with an A bar to mount some powerful spotlights.

Other additions made to the vehicle include a high air intake, 130 rims, compass and GPS, an electric coolbox - a necessity in the summer heat. The biggest change was a very simple but very effective bed platform giving us a large comfortable sleeping area with a huge storage area underneath for spares, tools and all the winch equipment. The suspension was original and tired so was replaced with plus two inch springs and shocks. Being ex-military the doortops can be easily removed; so for summer driving they are left off and stored whilst not in use on a frame attached to the hood sticks under the canvas and the canvas sides are rolled up. At night and in camping mode, the doortops are refitted, curtains are velcroed in place, the sides rolled down and a caranex is fitted to the rear for storage - all basic stuff, quick and simple to both erect and take down in the morning ready for the off. It has worked really well since we put it together.

The current web site front page... Landrover line up on a recent Pyrenean Explorer East Tour.