I am constantly meeting people who either know the history of the Wolf, or are Land Rover fanatics drawn to the vehicle. Their enthusiasm has inspired me to begin looking for sponsors, with the intention of them donating equipment to the vehicle.

So far I have spoken to a major tyre company, one of the better known winch manufacturers, a couple of Land Rover dealerships and have sent emails to a multitude of other companies for various smaller items of equipment, The response seems very positive. Of course I won't be counting any chickens yet.

Mike Robson has also proved to be a mine of useful information, his familiarity with the Wolf has proven invaluable on a number of occasions already. Martin Field, the previous owner of the Wolf has also been very helpful, and I hope to meet him in person one day soon. Hopefully I will then be able to collect and fit the large Maggiolina Adventure roof tent, which was packaged into the deal for the Wolf, but was not available for me to collect at the time.

I am swamped with good ideas for the trip every time I speak to another company, and it's surprising how many people have actually undertaken an expedition of some sort in their lives. I can understand an individuals need to travel and explore the unknown of course. My own travels have taught me that if nothing else. A country can be as highly a constrictive environment as it can be a liberating one. I too am starting to think of myself as here in England only temporarily, waiting to leave for a transglobal flight that is now booked. Better than a flight though, because while I wait I am designing and building the plane! On the subject of travel, I have been invited to a Wine tasting in France in November. I attended last year, and am very much looking forward to it this year. I have invited some friends, but with only two seats we are having to form a convoy. This should prove amusing, a Mini Cabriolet being stalked by Land Rovers take on the Incredible Hulk.

Aside from the obvious reasons to drive to France, there is valuable testing to be done there also. I will of course be stocking up with some wine and beer for Christmas, and a little food too, if there's any room left! I'll try to load as much weight as possible into the Wolf, to test the difference in fuel economy, balance and speed. These will all help me understand the strengths and more importantly weaknesses in the Wolf. Then I can plan and carry out the modifications necessary to make the trip possible. I have a feeling that the Wolfs speed will suffer, it rapidly decelerates from a top speed of 80mph on flat ground to a leisurely 55mph on even a slight hill. I can change down to 4th gear and start to speed up again, but this is hardly ideal from a fuel economy conscious point of view. I have decided therefore to research larger intercoolers. The Wolf cannot be chipped as it doesn't even have an ECU! So I am limited in the modifications which I can consider. The basic 300Tdi engine, has been simplified in every way possible. A benefit of military design. The intention being to keep as many components as mechanical systems as possible, thus improving the chances of a roadside repair. For example, the mechanical fuel pump which allows the car to be bump started or driven with little or no battery power. This was one of the main attractions of the Wolf.

Not only will I get a chance to practice my French on the trip. I will finally get to use the Wolf on roads for which it was intended. The left hand drive car has become as natural to me as any other. However, the road systems here are designed for right hand drive vehicles, I am persistently leaning over the cubby box to check oncoming traffic, or I rely on passengers to look for me. For once the French roads will be a welcome change! This need for visibility actually highlights two essential items for consideration. A rear screen, possibly with a security grille mounted on the outside, for visibility when reversing. Or a reversing camera, the cheaper of the two options. Also, a system of set questions and responses that will avoid confusion and hopefully make driving a less stressful experience.

I have chosen to avoid the Weigh Station on this trip, as there is every chance that they would spot me on the way back, loaded to the gills with crates of wine and beer. It will also be an opportunity to stock up some Jerry cans and the twin tanks on cheap diesel thanks to the Continental fuel prices. This saving will more than cover the cost of the Chunnel ticket, but won't help the Gross Vehicle Weight.

Yes, it will be a fine trip indeed.