Louise Limb has been drawing Land Rovers in her unique style for more years than she probably wants to admit. Not only is she a talented artist, she knows – and loves – her subject and that always comes out in her work, which has a very subtle touch, unusual in the grit and grease world of old Land Rovers, and which makes a refreshing change. Her work is regularly published in our sister magazine, Land Rover World, and you can get a great selection of her drawings in her new 2014 Calendar. Let’s face it, this could be a great Christmas gift for any 4×4 enthusiast. The calendar is very reasonably priced at only £16 (including UK P&P) via www.louiselimb.com. Overseas postage charges are on the web site or contact Louise direct at [email protected] for more information. You’ll also find a great selection of Christmas cards on the site as well.

With all the dire warnings coming about a seriously ‘bad’ winter ahead, we have found the ideal piece of kit for all 4×4 owners! This is the Rampage Snow Plough from Warrior Winches. It has an 82 inch blade and can be fitted to the front of most light trucks and SUVs. It can be shipped in a single package that would fit a standard sized pallet and weighs only 276kg. The plough can be fitted, or removed in minutes. Be honest, you’d love one! For more details, go to www.warriorwinch.co.uk

WE have have been following Les Carvel and his team’s exploits driving a couple of Suzuki Jimnys around the top of the world over the last few months. Well, it’s great to confirm that Les, and the Jimnys, have made it safely back home. We are hoping to have the full details of this adventure in the next issue of the magazine. The trip was a fund raising tour for the charity www.heavencanwaitimbusy.com and the money raised is going to Save The Children and the Oakhaven Hospice at Lymington, Hampshire. Well done, Les.

October was a significant month for Mitsubishi. Retail sales of its Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) have now started in The Netherlands, the designated country in Europe to start what the company firmly believe will be a significant sales drive of ‘alternative’ vehicles. Impressively, Mitsubishi has 10,000 signed orders for the Outlander PHEV across Europe since order books opened in December 2012. Built at the Okazaki Plant, near Nagoya in Japan, the Outlander PHEV boasts a maximum driving range of 824km (512 miles) of which 52km (32 miles) can be in pure EV mode. The Outlander PHEV is claimed by Mitsubishi to be ‘the first self-power generating twin motor (permanent) 4WD Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, and it meets its market at a time of profound changes in the mind-set of global customers, vindicating Mitsubishi Motors’ claim of 20 per cent of its production made of electric/hybrid/plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2020.’

When it comes to a real expedition, not for archaeologist Francisco Estrada-Belli the comfort of a modern day, hi tech, four-wheel drive. Not for him some over hyped publicity drive from London to India in vehicles with six figure price tags, this guy’s serious. Professor Estrada-Belli’s weapon of choice is a lifted, big tyred, Jeep Grand Wagoneer of 1985 vintage. There’s a wonderful serendipity that he should use this wonderful old beast during his recent expedition in Guatemala, where he unearthed a previously unknown Mayan stone frieze that dated back to 600AD… perhaps a touch older than the Jeep, but we still think it’s impressive! As you can imagine by just looking at the pictures shown here, it was tough going, as the Professor explained:

“We didn’t treat the poor truck very well. Most places we travel don’t have roads, and more often than not we had to drive in very rainy, muddy conditions with heavy loads. The Jeep’s engine was very tired after years of abuse, so we needed to have it rebuilt before the expedition.”