Rear half shaft
A mighty bang in the rear area of a series rover whilst driving, followed instantly by complete loss of drive is most likely a snapped rear half shaft. The half shafts transfer power from the differential to the hubs of the wheels by means of splines around each end (10 splines in general for most…
Land Rovers & Coffee
A lovely spring day for a rove, and a chance to connect with some new people over rovers and coffee. The first ever Land Rover Cars and Coffee event hosted by Cafe 356 in French Creek. Attended by around ten rovers overall, including two series 2a, two defenders, and a range of range rovers and…
Spotted: 1963 Series 2a pickup cab
A lovely series 2a 109″ with pickup cab that has had the same owner for 41 years. During that time it has been a daily driver for decades, been converted from a 5-door station wagon to a 2-door pickup with a Weber carb, and spent many years working on a farm on Vancouver Island. It…
Spotted: Defender 110 overland
A nicely sorted 110 at the land rovers & coffee event. Clean and crisp in a deep green that almost looks black, hardcase rooftop tent with awning and a diy kitchen/cooking/storage system in the back. Running a td5 and has had some proper work done to keep it up and running since it was new…
Spotted: Defender 110
A crisp clean looking Defender 110 5 door, spotted by a roving reporter in Qualicum Beach. Appears to be in well-kept original condition, though there is some chequerplate, possibly a puma-era but hard to see the dash. Has European style side marker lights but looks to be left hand drive. Side steps, bush bar, raised…
Spotted: Series 3 recovery in Eldoret
A hard-working group of recovery rovers on call at Muliro Rd in Eldoret, Kenya, captured by a roving reporter. Still going strong at over 40 years old, these 109″ pickup cab series 3s have been outfitted with reinforced hook supports, hand-operated chain hoists, reflector strips, and emergency lights. One of them may have been retrofitted…
Spotted: Kapsowar Hospital Defender
A retired ambulance/dispensary Defender at AIC Kapsowar Mission Hospital in Chepkum, Kenya, located north of Eldoret. Bonus sighting of a series 109″ tropical roof and sides hiding in the grass, along with a glimpse of the new replacement ambulance, a HiAce.
Night lights
The nights are still quite cool, especially on a clear night when the moon and stars cast shadows from the dark forest. By morning there will be frost again, but summer is coming..
Spotted: series boneyard
A “secret” spot with many potential projects waiting patiently for sponsors to help bring them back to life. Plenty of character and patina, keep them safe and get them going!
An afternoon in Paris
A rare opportunity to pick up parts in person from the Canadian source, 3 Brothers Classic Rovers in Paris, Ontario. They stock many items that can only be found overseas and are very helpful in making sure they have the correct parts for a specific vehicle. They are also the Paintman Paints distributors for Canada.…
Views from across Canada
A few select views of a sunny early spring day looking south from several points across Canada at 35,000 feet. Plenty of room, plenty of sky, plenty of water, plenty of snow, plenty of lonely roads for a Defender to travel.
Spotted: Defender 110 puma
Just glimpsed in Qualicum downtown by a roving reporter, will be keeping an eye out for it around town for further details and photos. The two pressed rectangles under the windscreen rather than actual vent flaps and the bumped up hood means this is likely a 2007 or newer, also known as Puma.
Rover convoy
Heading home from the beach with two parties, one in a 58 year old rover and another in a 27 year old rover. The rare sight of an old Defender from over the battlements of an even older Series 2a as they roll through the tree-lined avenues of the town of Qualicum Beach on a…
Spotted: 1969 Kit Companion
Vintage Kit Companion travel trailer parked in Qualicum Beach. Simple luxury from a simpler era, made in USA in 1969, sold in 1970. Louvered glass windows, a bed, couch/table/bed, gas stove/oven, cooler box, sink and hand pumped water tap. “Tilley” is a rolling restoration which will be enjoyed as it is slowly repaired and returned…
Time flies
Summer is about halfway over, the light is beginning to shift. Enjoy the still and calm moments as they come––moments like years pass by never to return again. Hug the ones who are near you, we never know what tomorrow may bring.
Prepare for adventure.
“If you don’t slow down once in awhile, life can pass you by.” Adventures can be far or near, large or small, and each one has a lesson–and a story.