I guess we all have our own reasons for being members of an organisation like All Terrain UK? And
also have different choices of vehicles based on our own needs and what we intend using them for?
Having owned a series of Land Rovers since 2001, mainly as practical family transport and as a tug for
our Caravan I have always had dreams of Overland travel. In 2013 I purchased a roof tent and began
ticking off my “bucket list” with trips to Scotland and the Orkney Islands, Morocco in 2014, the
Pyrenees in 2016. All these amongst several weekend trips in the UK covering Yorkshire, Wales, The
Lake District and more.
With the creation of All Terrain UK in early 2017 I have been lucky enough to join several more trips
including my local Eastern area trips and Dorset in 2019. My role as National Health and Safety
Officer for ATUK also allows me to meet plenty of members at other events and shows such as
Adventure Overland.
So it was that in 2018 I met Jose Almeida of “Dream Overland” at The Land Rover Owner show in
Peterborough. Portugal had been on my Overlanding radar for some time and plans were soon
hatched for me and my trusty 2010 Defender 110 SX Utility plus a friend James Edwards and his 2001
Defender 90 Td5 would have 2 weeks led by Jose around Northern Portugal in September 2019
We had hoped for some late summer sunshine and after a summer of wild fires had taken advice
from Jose and were suitably prepared. The weather in fact had other ideas! Heavy thunderstorms in
Spain and northern Portugal on the weekend we arrived meant that after a couple of rainy days and
nights Jose suggested we change our plans (Flexibility is essential!) and head south to chase the Sun!
This proved a good move and we enjoyed a fantastic trip, excellent tracks and trails including high
mountain tracks with amazing views and some superb local food. Lanes were a great mix of hard
surfaced technical tracks in the mountains and some softer sandy surfaces in woodlands. Cap sites
were of a good standard mostly having restaurants or BBQ areas for eventing meals and when the
weather didn’t play along several sites had log cabins for hire which allowed some respite from
packing up wet camping gear!
Jose is an accredited tour guide who is licenced by the authorities in Portugal which is essential for
ensuring one doesn’t fall foul of local regulations. Since the trip Jose has joined ATUK as a member
and he has kindly agreed to offer any fellow members a discount of up to 10%off any trips booked
with Dream Overland. Check out the Member discounts page on our website or the forum.
Start Dreaming………………….
Article written and experienced by Alan King-atuk health and safety officer.
