#//but marc's -gestures- are freshly typed

[silverjetsystm]

Silence stretches like an invisible cord between them. Phantom touches of their hands. Holding on to the texture of her fingers snatching the smoke back. The last half of ember inhaled and stamped out.

Mirroring with body shifts. Languid eye contact, looking down and up. Brows raising in an echo of his humor. Slow sips of unfiltered wheat beer. Hint of teeth and trace of tongue.

He waits for reasons called Fraternization. Men and women. Marine and Air Force. Enlisted and Officer. Variables in an equation he keeps hearing about. Reminding himself about.

Women had to be sharper. To prove they could do the work [backwards and in high heels]. Bitches. Lest he reckon with other branches standards when he is enmeshed in his own. Barracks bunnies. Crude actions with cruder humor. Doesn’t want to have her think he’s one of those grunts in a sea of desert MCCUUs, looking for fast pleasure.

If he wanted fast pleasure, he wouldn’t be sitting here.

She leans forward; he meets her halfway, skivvy green bend meeting her white curves. He has the audacity to wink. Boulevard set next to Dr. Pepper in a metal clatter.

Less than a breath away. Breeze on his cupid’s bow. Matching her volume. ‘Speak low if you speak love’. This isn’t love, isn’t yet. Tenderness is a quality he forgets he has -- “You push my buttons just right. It’s a skill.” Skills are honed.

She tastes like smoke and soda and something else. Something uniquely Brunn. It’s brief, between heartbeats. Adam’s apple bobs when he swallows. Returns her mirror of his expression.

The revelry continues. A song he doesn’t recognize. Sea-storm dares him and there’s never been a dare he hasn’t done. Cocked eyebrow, hand almost brushing his turned up lips. Look how big his teeth are. How wide his smile. Another phantom touch. Her warmth. The mix of wheat and syrup. “L’Chaim.” To life. Foamy as the snap-hiss of an opened can. “Let’s get out of here.”

Empty cans, regardless if they’re truly empty or half full, and a smushed Chesterfield remain. Repacked soda and beer dangle from his left hand. Together, he ambles alongside her to the exit. Cool desert air greets them. Siblings in arms are too wrapped up in the bawdy piano and booze to notice their absence.

They can’t go too far. Redacted FOB was Redacted for a reason. No pass out. Nowhere to go. Arms hovering around her back, yearning to curve around her shoulders, seek her waist. Arms brush together. Prickles of heat. “Do I get to see the feather bed or are we resigned to my rack?” heart higher in his chest. Replaced by something feathery. Something with wings so he doesn’t have to borrow hers.

Someone’s always on duty. The barracks are not separated in a meaningful way. He’s seen her come and go often enough. Almost innocently. Heat in his gut hisses almost is not close at all. Infantry led the way for Intelligence this time, hand brushing against hers.

@valkxrie

[agentofscifi]

Success is the Best Kind of Revenge Ch. 3

Heels click onto the floor of my office as Chloe pushes open my doors. My hands were currently holding up the train of a dress hung on Juleka. Alix follows after Chloe, tinkering with some kind of camera in her hand. Over the years, as we all graduated from University and done pretty well for ourselves.  

Juleka ended up changing her major in school after three semesters. Instead of going into performing arts for instruments, she went and got a composition degree. Juleka wrote music for a variety of artists and was one of the most sought-after songwriters. When she wasn’t doing all of that, she was modeling for my company. Juleka did a variety of photoshoots for several companies, mine included throughout her University Years. After I opened up my first few stores, we signed a formal contract. She’d been working for me for almost a decade. She split her time between Paris and Nashville in America. 

Alix decides to focus on a degree in art history. She worked at an Auction House company in Paris, moving between the various countries of Europe to authenticate pieces of art and then handle their sales. She was rather successful at her work, earning many bonuses for rather extremely successful sales. Alix’s unique style and comfortable professionalism made her easily approachable to buyings. She was rather blunt, and it did her well in her job. On her off-hours, Alix did some minor modeling and promoting much of my athletic pieces. Alix’s popularity grew as she competed in several X-Games in and after university. She won several titles in skateboarding, BMX freestyling, rollerskating, and snowboarding before retiring after a slip-up when snowboarding. She shattered her kneecap, broke a leg, her collarbone, and dislocated her arm in two places. She still did BMX biking, skateboarding, rollerblading, and snowboarding, just not in a professional capacity. That being said, little kids still asked for her autographs all the time.  

Chloe graduated from the London Business School with Honors and then proceeded to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York to get a Graduate Degree in Global Fashion Management. She modeled some of my designs, worked connections, handled all my brand’s social media accounts, and finalized contracts. Now, she had several people working underneath her, to handle the day-to-day operations. Either way, Chloe handled all of the Brand’s business dealings and flourishes.  

As for me, I attend the London College of Fashion. I got a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design and Development with honors. After those years, I went to Milan to attend Istituto Marangoni International for a Master’s Degree in Luxury Accessories Design & Management. After that, I relocated back to Paris. My first boutique opened up quickly after that along with a small factory with a loan from a bank. I ended up having to open a second factory within three months due to demands. More boutiques opened up worldwide as the Brand became a household name.  

“Hello Chloe, how is everything?”  

“We got invitations to a reunion for Lycée. Alya sent them, as she was the class representative when we all graduated. Personally, I think she wants to get her hands on you or Juleka for an interview. You know her journalism career is in the gutter.”  

Alix snorts. “And who’s fault is that?” 

Chloe rolls her eyes. “Her’s. The idiot ruined her blog when she was a teenager and she never changed. She still does idiotic and frankly dangerous things to get a scoop. Sure, she does some basic research now, but the girl’s been detained several times for endangering people and disrupting the peace. No University would touch her, and no place will hire her.”  

Alix looks up from the camera. “So, you didn’t inform everyone in the fashion journalism world about her history, knowing it would spread to all major news and journalism networks.  

Chloe raises an eyebrow. “Look, this company’s image is important. I was not going to let Miss Blogger ruin it for 15 minutes of fame. She dug her own grave.”  

I sigh. “This is great and all, but are you all going?”  

There’s a snort right behind me. “Not on any of our lives. We will not be sinking that low.”  

“Chloe!” Juleka’s face is red and slightly scandalized.  

“What? Why would we go to this reunion? To see how everyone is doing? It’s rather simple. Alya’s a tabloid writer. Nino is a barely successful DJ who works at a music store to help pay his bills. Max is an IT guy at a company. That fake research paper haunts him to this day. Kim works at a gym. The drugs screwed his athletic chances over and he never planned for anything beyond going to the Olympics. Nathaniel works at an art store and does nighttime classes. He’s unsuccessfully worked with 7 different writers for his comics after leaving Marc.   

Now, Myléne and Ivan are happy, at least. Myléne works as a secretary and Ivan as a grocery store manager. Both are part-time so one of them can stay home with their kids at a time. They have millions of photos of their family on their Instagram accounts. Neither one can do much with charities. The fraud they committed was spread around the charity communities fast.  

Rose, Adrien, and Sabrina are the only ones who did what they wanted to do. Rose had a few years of fame with her music before getting married and settling down as a youth music teacher. Adrien moved to America and works for a University. However, I know for a fact that he will not be returning to Paris for anything less than a funeral or a wedding. As for Sabrina, after some therapy, ended up as a Detective in Marseille.”  

“Didn’t you pay for her therapy?” I tie off my last stitch and let the train fall to the platform.  

Chloe purses her lips. “I owed her that much. I screwed her childhood up, majorly.”  

“Did you stalk everyone to find out all of this?” Alix has a mischievous look.  

Another eye roll from Chloe. “I didn’t need to. In this day and age, all you need to do is type their name into the internet and all of their social media pops up.”  

I hum. “What about Lila?”  

“She’s still in prison. Tried another appeal a little while ago, to no avail. Her long list of offenses and the “assisting a terrorist” change isn’t something any judge would want to touch, even with a 10 ft pole.”  

Juleka simply shrugs. “Back to the point at hand. I’m not going to this reunion. Rose is the only one I wanted to keep in contact with, and she’s not going. It’s her five-year anniversary with her husband. She’s going to Spain that week.”  

Alix shugs. “I’m not going either. Kim has tried to contact me so many times to help him get back into the sports world. I am not giving him another chance. Besides, there’s this huge auction going on in Russia for that week. I am not missing that for a few hours with our childhood classmates.”  

I look at Chloe. She raises a perfect eyebrow. “Not a chance and you are not going either. Heavens forbid Alya posts something on that new blog of hers.”  

I set my needle and thread down on a work table and gesture to Juleka to get changed. “I’m not going if none of you are. Besides, there’s this fashion show in Milan that weekend. It’s for freshly graduated designers to show off their talents to possible employers. I was planning to go to find some who would specialize in Fashion Contour. I’ve been doing quite a bit of work in that field and want to get a fresh pair of eyes that will eventually take over that area of our brand. I was also hoping to look for someone to start a Make-up department. One of your people mentioned the idea at a meeting.”  

Chloe nods and starts to type into her phone. “I’ll tell my assistant to look through the applications we have to see if anyone fulfills the requirements for that job. Just find that new department head.”  

I give Chloe a nod as Juleka hands me the dress from before. A custom-made wedding dress for a woman who happened to be Juleka’s exact size. One of the many I had made of the years since I’d started my fashion business.   

Some part of me wanted to thank Lila. If I was honest with myself, I wouldn’t be where I was if she hadn’t arrived at my class and taken everyone’s loyalty. They weren’t bad people, but thanks to Ms. Bustier, they were a drain on my energy and abilities. Now, however, I was one of the most well-known and successful fashion designers with over two dozen people for me in Design. I could not be happier. 

Ch. 1 ~~~~~ Ch. 2

[robertkstone]

An Orange 2017 Land Rover Discovery Joins the Four Seasons Fleet

Through the many badges it’s worn here in America since launching here in 1994, the Land Rover Discovery has played an undeniable role in the early seeds of SUV mania. Even after the Disco name was dropped for North America in 2004 with the launch of the third-generation model in favor of the LR3 moniker (which evolved to LR4 years later with the launch of the fourth-gen), the iconic SUV endeared itself to would-be adventurers as a tantalizing mixture of rugged grit and upstanding British appeal. And although the original name is back, this new, fifth-generation model brings with it host of changes that, for better or worse, shake up the tried-and-true Discovery formula. To get a better handle on just what the new 2017 Land Rover Discovery is made of, we snagged one for our Four Seasons fleet.

Automobile’s first-ever Four Seasons test with a Land Rover featured a 1996 Discovery. That tough-as-nails off-roader was adored for its fearsome capability but mistrusted for its constant quality issues, large and small, earning it a dismal 2.5 stars out of 5. Land Rover went back to the drawing board for the LR3, updating everything from the pushrod V-8 to the frame, suspension, and styling language. With its vastly improved driving dynamics, ergonomics, and interior packaging (the rear seats actually folded flat), our test of the 2005 LR3 earned a much-improved 4 stars. Still, quality gremlins endured, and the freshly introduced DOHC 4.4-liter V-8 was neither powerful nor torque-rich enough to overcome the LR3’s ample heft.

For 2017, the all-new Discovery addresses all of these shortcomings, and more. While the boxy utilitarian styling may be gone, so is much of the Disco’s muffin top. Not only is the new aluminum unibody up to 1,000 pounds lighter than the steel structure it replaces, under the hood is the oil-burning engine we’ve envied from afar for years. We eagerly ticked the box for Land Rover’s 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6, the first offered in a U.S.-market Discovery, and have so far been pleased with the 254 hp and juicy 443 lb-ft of torque it offers. (Gas-powered models use a 340-hp supercharged 3.0-liter V-6.)

Barely a week passed before we took it for its first cruise, up from Detroit to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, where the Disco effortlessly towed a 16-foot fishing boat on a trailer. The new eight-speed automatic transmission works especially seamlessly on the highway, where it helps the 4,916-pound seven-seater return an EPA-rated 26 mpg. On several long hauls, however, we’ve managed as much as 28 mpg with a cargo area full of luggage.

In addition to the diesel engine, we added a laundry list of options to ensure we had the full Land Rover mix of luxury and capability. The top-spec HSE Luxury trim comes nicely outfitted with everything from air suspension to heated 16-way power seats with Windsor leather upholstery, Espresso wood trim, a fantastic Meridian premium sound system, keyless entry, Bluetooth, navigation within the latest 10.2-inch InControl Touch Pro interface, and front/rear parking aids. On top of that we kitted our Rover out with the Drive Pro package, adding adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with Queue Assist, and lane-departure warning ($2,350). Additional side cameras and LED headlights with automatic high beams come on the Vision Assist package ($1,000), while other pieces of tech like autonomous emergency braking ($125), a color head-up display ($950), a 360-degree parking aid ($275), automatic park assist ($800), and a full-on rear-seat entertainment suite ($2,270) have to be ordered a la carte.

On the more practical side of things, we made sure to include the Capability Plus package to get the active rear locking differential and Terrain Response 2 system ($1,250), a tow package ($650), roof rails ($400), and a full-size spare wheel and tire ($440). All told, our fully built-out family-hauling, rock-crawling, diesel-drinking, beverage cooling ($350) British behemoth rings in at an eye-watering $79,950.

So far, the Discovery has racked up more miles in such a short time than any Four Seasons vehicle in recent memory. Just two months into our test we’ve piled on 6,640 miles, putting it on pace to be one of the most driven Four Seasons testers on record. In short order we’ve adventured from Automobile’s Detroit bureau to Buffalo, Grand Rapids, two trips to Sault Ste. Marie, Chicago, Milwaukee, and Mackinaw City, Michigan. We’ve also spent a sunny afternoon off-roading at the Bundy Hill off-road park, where the Discovery’s raised air suspension, selectable terrain drive modes, hill-descent control, low-speed all-terrain cruise control, and low-range transfer case proved a Swiss Army knife of off-road guts in sand, dirt, and gravel. Once Michigan winter hits, we’ll be ready for the worst of it with a good set of winter rubber.

Though the Discovery has won praise for its capability, fuel economy, and utility, it is not without its detractors. Anglophile and contributing writer Marc Noordeloos wishes for better body control and a smoother ride, as well as a return to the bulkier styling of old. “I miss the near-timeless look of the old LR4,” he says. “This new Discovery has a bit of a hunchback going on and I can’t say I’m sold on the switch from a split tailgate to a fold-down.” Detroit bureau chief Todd Lassa, meanwhile, is often frustrated with the delayed throttle response. “The slow, clumsy tip-in makes me lose confidence when I need to merge into traffic. At least the interior leather and wood make the interior feel like a private London club,” notes Lassa.

Following a blissfully trouble-free Four Seasons test of a 2015 Jaguar F-Type S, we had hoped Land Rover’s infamous reliability woes were over, but we’ve already been somewhat disabused of that notion. It began with an improperly fitted A-pillar black trim piece, but since that small repair, we’ve also experienced random and unexplained tire-pressure monitoring warnings despite correct pressures (an issue we’ve also seen on our Four Seasons Jaguar F-Pace), lurching and bucking from the powertrain after cold starts, and (by far the most odd) – a rear three-quarter window that isn’t tinted to match the others. Perhaps most annoying have been the freezes and bugs with the infotainment system, which could really use Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity as well as voice-recognition technology. Even when everything is working, the system is simply not intuitive to use. When a friend and professional web and user-experience designer happened to be sitting shotgun, he was surprised how difficult it was to sift through various menus to access key functions. The satellite radio also frequently cuts out due to a weak signal, while the media player interface gets easily confused when connecting devices via Bluetooth and USB at the same time.

Has Land Rover has finally made a Discovery that’s both rugged and reliable for the daily grind? While it’s most certainly grown from its 1989 roots as a bare-bones all-terrain terror to a stylish, family-friendly people-mover with nine (!) USB ports, such a question remains open. When the Discovery’s four seasons are up, we’ll know if this third-gen is the charm.

Our 2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE Td6 Luxury

Overview

PRICE $66,945/$79,950 (base/as tested) ENGINE Turbodiesel DOHC 24-valve V-6 TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic LAYOUT 4-door, 7-Passenger, front engine, FWD SUV

Chassis

CONSTRUCTION Unibody STEERING Electric power assisted LOCK-TO-LOCK 2.7 turns TURNING CIRCLE 40.4 ft SUSPENSION, F/R Control arms with air springs/Integral link with air springs BRAKES, F/R discs/discs WHEELS, F/R 20-inch aluminum TIRES Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 255/55R20

Measurements

L X W X H 195.6 x 87.4 x 73.5 in WHEELBASE 115 in TRACK, F/R 66.6 in HEADROOM, F/R 39.4/39.0 in  LEGROOM, F/R 39.1/37.6  in SHOULDER ROOM, F/R  60.4/49.5 in CARGO CAPACITY 45 cu ft/82.7 feet (third-row folded/second- and third-row seats folded) WEIGHT  4,916 lb WEIGHT DIST F/R  49.4 / 50.6 EPA MILEAGE  21/23/26 mpg FUEL CAPACITY 22.5 gal EST. FUEL RANGE  585 miles (est) FUEL GRADE  Diesel 0-60 MPH  6.9 sec TOP SPEED  133 mph

Equipment

STANDARD EQUIPMENT Power gesture-operated tailgate w/ power inner tailgate Power tilt and telescopic steering wheel Power sliding panoramic glass sunroof Carpeted floor mats Rear privacy glass, infrared reflective windshield Four-zone climate control 20-inch aluminum wheels Heated first and second-row seats LED automatic headlights Ambient interior lighting Front fog lights Keyless entry w/ push-button start Rain-sensing wipers w/ heated washer jets Bluetooth and USB connectivity Power-folding heated mirrors with approach lighting Front and rear parking aids 16-way power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats with memory 825-watt Meridian sound system Third row seating 10-inch InControl Touch Pro interface Satellite radio Navigation OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT Namib Orange paint $1,495 Rover Tow package $650 Full-length black roof rails $400 Full-size spare wheel and tire $440 Front center console cooler compartment $350 Autonomous emergency braking $125 Park Assist $800 360-degree parking aid $275 Activity Key $400 Loadspace cover $150 Rear-seat entertainment $2,270 Head-up display $950

Drive Pro Package $2,350

Driver condition monitor

Intelligent speed limiter and traffic sign recognition

Blind-spot assist, blind-spot monitor, reverse traffic detection

Adaptive cruise control with Queue Assist and intelligent emergency braking

Lane keep assist, lane-departure warning

Vision Assist Package $1,000

LED auto high-beam assist

Auto-dimming exterior mirrors

Surround camera system

Capability Plus Package $1,250

Active rear locking differential

Terrain Response 2

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[jesusvasser]

An Orange 2017 Land Rover Discovery Joins the Four Seasons Fleet

Through the many badges it’s worn here in America since launching here in 1994, the Land Rover Discovery has played an undeniable role in the early seeds of SUV mania. Even after the Disco name was dropped for North America in 2004 with the launch of the third-generation model in favor of the LR3 moniker (which evolved to LR4 years later with the launch of the fourth-gen), the iconic SUV endeared itself to would-be adventurers as a tantalizing mixture of rugged grit and upstanding British appeal. And although the original name is back, this new, fifth-generation model brings with it host of changes that, for better or worse, shake up the tried-and-true Discovery formula. To get a better handle on just what the new 2017 Land Rover Discovery is made of, we snagged one for our Four Seasons fleet.

Automobile’s first-ever Four Seasons test with a Land Rover featured a 1996 Discovery. That tough-as-nails off-roader was adored for its fearsome capability but mistrusted for its constant quality issues, large and small, earning it a dismal 2.5 stars out of 5. Land Rover went back to the drawing board for the LR3, updating everything from the pushrod V-8 to the frame, suspension, and styling language. With its vastly improved driving dynamics, ergonomics, and interior packaging (the rear seats actually folded flat), our test of the 2005 LR3 earned a much-improved 4 stars. Still, quality gremlins endured, and the freshly introduced DOHC 4.4-liter V-8 was neither powerful nor torque-rich enough to overcome the LR3’s ample heft.

For 2017, the all-new Discovery addresses all of these shortcomings, and more. While the boxy utilitarian styling may be gone, so is much of the Disco’s muffin top. Not only is the new aluminum unibody up to 1,000 pounds lighter than the steel structure it replaces, under the hood is the oil-burning engine we’ve envied from afar for years. We eagerly ticked the box for Land Rover’s 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6, the first offered in a U.S.-market Discovery, and have so far been pleased with the 254 hp and juicy 443 lb-ft of torque it offers. (Gas-powered models use a 340-hp supercharged 3.0-liter V-6.)

Barely a week passed before we took it for its first cruise, up from Detroit to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, where the Disco effortlessly towed a 16-foot fishing boat on a trailer. The new eight-speed automatic transmission works especially seamlessly on the highway, where it helps the 4,916-pound seven-seater return an EPA-rated 26 mpg. On several long hauls, however, we’ve managed as much as 28 mpg with a cargo area full of luggage.

In addition to the diesel engine, we added a laundry list of options to ensure we had the full Land Rover mix of luxury and capability. The top-spec HSE Luxury trim comes nicely outfitted with everything from air suspension to heated 16-way power seats with Windsor leather upholstery, Espresso wood trim, a fantastic Meridian premium sound system, keyless entry, Bluetooth, navigation within the latest 10.2-inch InControl Touch Pro interface, and front/rear parking aids. On top of that we kitted our Rover out with the Drive Pro package, adding adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with Queue Assist, and lane-departure warning ($2,350). Additional side cameras and LED headlights with automatic high beams come on the Vision Assist package ($1,000), while other pieces of tech like autonomous emergency braking ($125), a color head-up display ($950), a 360-degree parking aid ($275), automatic park assist ($800), and a full-on rear-seat entertainment suite ($2,270) have to be ordered a la carte.

On the more practical side of things, we made sure to include the Capability Plus package to get the active rear locking differential and Terrain Response 2 system ($1,250), a tow package ($650), roof rails ($400), and a full-size spare wheel and tire ($440). All told, our fully built-out family-hauling, rock-crawling, diesel-drinking, beverage cooling ($350) British behemoth rings in at an eye-watering $79,950.

So far, the Discovery has racked up more miles in such a short time than any Four Seasons vehicle in recent memory. Just two months into our test we’ve piled on 6,640 miles, putting it on pace to be one of the most driven Four Seasons testers on record. In short order we’ve adventured from Automobile’s Detroit bureau to Buffalo, Grand Rapids, two trips to Sault Ste. Marie, Chicago, Milwaukee, and Mackinaw City, Michigan. We’ve also spent a sunny afternoon off-roading at the Bundy Hill off-road park, where the Discovery’s raised air suspension, selectable terrain drive modes, hill-descent control, low-speed all-terrain cruise control, and low-range transfer case proved a Swiss Army knife of off-road guts in sand, dirt, and gravel. Once Michigan winter hits, we’ll be ready for the worst of it with a good set of winter rubber.

Though the Discovery has won praise for its capability, fuel economy, and utility, it is not without its detractors. Anglophile and contributing writer Marc Noordeloos wishes for better body control and a smoother ride, as well as a return to the bulkier styling of old. “I miss the near-timeless look of the old LR4,” he says. “This new Discovery has a bit of a hunchback going on and I can’t say I’m sold on the switch from a split tailgate to a fold-down.” Detroit bureau chief Todd Lassa, meanwhile, is often frustrated with the delayed throttle response. “The slow, clumsy tip-in makes me lose confidence when I need to merge into traffic. At least the interior leather and wood make the interior feel like a private London club,” notes Lassa.

Following a blissfully trouble-free Four Seasons test of a 2015 Jaguar F-Type S, we had hoped Land Rover’s infamous reliability woes were over, but we’ve already been somewhat disabused of that notion. It began with an improperly fitted A-pillar black trim piece, but since that small repair, we’ve also experienced random and unexplained tire-pressure monitoring warnings despite correct pressures (an issue we’ve also seen on our Four Seasons Jaguar F-Pace), lurching and bucking from the powertrain after cold starts, and (by far the most odd) – a rear three-quarter window that isn’t tinted to match the others. Perhaps most annoying have been the freezes and bugs with the infotainment system, which could really use Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity as well as voice-recognition technology. Even when everything is working, the system is simply not intuitive to use. When a friend and professional web and user-experience designer happened to be sitting shotgun, he was surprised how difficult it was to sift through various menus to access key functions. The satellite radio also frequently cuts out due to a weak signal, while the media player interface gets easily confused when connecting devices via Bluetooth and USB at the same time.

Has Land Rover has finally made a Discovery that’s both rugged and reliable for the daily grind? While it’s most certainly grown from its 1989 roots as a bare-bones all-terrain terror to a stylish, family-friendly people-mover with nine (!) USB ports, such a question remains open. When the Discovery’s four seasons are up, we’ll know if this third-gen is the charm.

Our 2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE Td6 Luxury

Overview

PRICE $66,945/$79,950 (base/as tested) ENGINE Turbodiesel DOHC 24-valve V-6 TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic LAYOUT 4-door, 7-Passenger, front engine, FWD SUV

Chassis

CONSTRUCTION Unibody STEERING Electric power assisted LOCK-TO-LOCK 2.7 turns TURNING CIRCLE 40.4 ft SUSPENSION, F/R Control arms with air springs/Integral link with air springs BRAKES, F/R discs/discs WHEELS, F/R 20-inch aluminum TIRES Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 255/55R20

Measurements

L X W X H 195.6 x 87.4 x 73.5 in WHEELBASE 115 in TRACK, F/R 66.6 in HEADROOM, F/R 39.4/39.0 in  LEGROOM, F/R 39.1/37.6  in SHOULDER ROOM, F/R  60.4/49.5 in CARGO CAPACITY 45 cu ft/82.7 feet (third-row folded/second- and third-row seats folded) WEIGHT  4,916 lb WEIGHT DIST F/R  49.4 / 50.6 EPA MILEAGE  21/23/26 mpg FUEL CAPACITY 22.5 gal EST. FUEL RANGE  585 miles (est) FUEL GRADE  Diesel 0-60 MPH  6.9 sec TOP SPEED  133 mph

Equipment

STANDARD EQUIPMENT Power gesture-operated tailgate w/ power inner tailgate Power tilt and telescopic steering wheel Power sliding panoramic glass sunroof Carpeted floor mats Rear privacy glass, infrared reflective windshield Four-zone climate control 20-inch aluminum wheels Heated first and second-row seats LED automatic headlights Ambient interior lighting Front fog lights Keyless entry w/ push-button start Rain-sensing wipers w/ heated washer jets Bluetooth and USB connectivity Power-folding heated mirrors with approach lighting Front and rear parking aids 16-way power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats with memory 825-watt Meridian sound system Third row seating 10-inch InControl Touch Pro interface Satellite radio Navigation OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT Namib Orange paint $1,495 Rover Tow package $650 Full-length black roof rails $400 Full-size spare wheel and tire $440 Front center console cooler compartment $350 Autonomous emergency braking $125 Park Assist $800 360-degree parking aid $275 Activity Key $400 Loadspace cover $150 Rear-seat entertainment $2,270 Head-up display $950

Drive Pro Package $2,350

Driver condition monitor

Intelligent speed limiter and traffic sign recognition

Blind-spot assist, blind-spot monitor, reverse traffic detection

Adaptive cruise control with Queue Assist and intelligent emergency braking

Lane keep assist, lane-departure warning

Vision Assist Package $1,000

LED auto high-beam assist

Auto-dimming exterior mirrors

Surround camera system

Capability Plus Package $1,250

Active rear locking differential

Terrain Response 2

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[eddiejpoplar]

An Orange 2017 Land Rover Discovery Joins the Four Seasons Fleet

Through the many badges it’s worn here in America since launching here in 1994, the Land Rover Discovery has played an undeniable role in the early seeds of SUV mania. Even after the Disco name was dropped for North America in 2004 with the launch of the third-generation model in favor of the LR3 moniker (which evolved to LR4 years later with the launch of the fourth-gen), the iconic SUV endeared itself to would-be adventurers as a tantalizing mixture of rugged grit and upstanding British appeal. And although the original name is back, this new, fifth-generation model brings with it host of changes that, for better or worse, shake up the tried-and-true Discovery formula. To get a better handle on just what the new 2017 Land Rover Discovery is made of, we snagged one for our Four Seasons fleet.

Automobile’s first-ever Four Seasons test with a Land Rover featured a 1996 Discovery. That tough-as-nails off-roader was adored for its fearsome capability but mistrusted for its constant quality issues, large and small, earning it a dismal 2.5 stars out of 5. Land Rover went back to the drawing board for the LR3, updating everything from the pushrod V-8 to the frame, suspension, and styling language. With its vastly improved driving dynamics, ergonomics, and interior packaging (the rear seats actually folded flat), our test of the 2005 LR3 earned a much-improved 4 stars. Still, quality gremlins endured, and the freshly introduced DOHC 4.4-liter V-8 was neither powerful nor torque-rich enough to overcome the LR3’s ample heft.

For 2017, the all-new Discovery addresses all of these shortcomings, and more. While the boxy utilitarian styling may be gone, so is much of the Disco’s muffin top. Not only is the new aluminum unibody up to 1,000 pounds lighter than the steel structure it replaces, under the hood is the oil-burning engine we’ve envied from afar for years. We eagerly ticked the box for Land Rover’s 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6, the first offered in a U.S.-market Discovery, and have so far been pleased with the 254 hp and juicy 443 lb-ft of torque it offers. (Gas-powered models use a 340-hp supercharged 3.0-liter V-6.)

Barely a week passed before we took it for its first cruise, up from Detroit to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, where the Disco effortlessly towed a 16-foot fishing boat on a trailer. The new eight-speed automatic transmission works especially seamlessly on the highway, where it helps the 4,916-pound seven-seater return an EPA-rated 26 mpg. On several long hauls, however, we’ve managed as much as 28 mpg with a cargo area full of luggage.

In addition to the diesel engine, we added a laundry list of options to ensure we had the full Land Rover mix of luxury and capability. The top-spec HSE Luxury trim comes nicely outfitted with everything from air suspension to heated 16-way power seats with Windsor leather upholstery, Espresso wood trim, a fantastic Meridian premium sound system, keyless entry, Bluetooth, navigation within the latest 10.2-inch InControl Touch Pro interface, and front/rear parking aids. On top of that we kitted our Rover out with the Drive Pro package, adding adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with Queue Assist, and lane-departure warning ($2,350). Additional side cameras and LED headlights with automatic high beams come on the Vision Assist package ($1,000), while other pieces of tech like autonomous emergency braking ($125), a color head-up display ($950), a 360-degree parking aid ($275), automatic park assist ($800), and a full-on rear-seat entertainment suite ($2,270) have to be ordered a la carte.

On the more practical side of things, we made sure to include the Capability Plus package to get the active rear locking differential and Terrain Response 2 system ($1,250), a tow package ($650), roof rails ($400), and a full-size spare wheel and tire ($440). All told, our fully built-out family-hauling, rock-crawling, diesel-drinking, beverage cooling ($350) British behemoth rings in at an eye-watering $79,950.

So far, the Discovery has racked up more miles in such a short time than any Four Seasons vehicle in recent memory. Just two months into our test we’ve piled on 6,640 miles, putting it on pace to be one of the most driven Four Seasons testers on record. In short order we’ve adventured from Automobile’s Detroit bureau to Buffalo, Grand Rapids, two trips to Sault Ste. Marie, Chicago, Milwaukee, and Mackinaw City, Michigan. We’ve also spent a sunny afternoon off-roading at the Bundy Hill off-road park, where the Discovery’s raised air suspension, selectable terrain drive modes, hill-descent control, low-speed all-terrain cruise control, and low-range transfer case proved a Swiss Army knife of off-road guts in sand, dirt, and gravel. Once Michigan winter hits, we’ll be ready for the worst of it with a good set of winter rubber.

Though the Discovery has won praise for its capability, fuel economy, and utility, it is not without its detractors. Anglophile and contributing writer Marc Noordeloos wishes for better body control and a smoother ride, as well as a return to the bulkier styling of old. “I miss the near-timeless look of the old LR4,” he says. “This new Discovery has a bit of a hunchback going on and I can’t say I’m sold on the switch from a split tailgate to a fold-down.” Detroit bureau chief Todd Lassa, meanwhile, is often frustrated with the delayed throttle response. “The slow, clumsy tip-in makes me lose confidence when I need to merge into traffic. At least the interior leather and wood make the interior feel like a private London club,” notes Lassa.

Following a blissfully trouble-free Four Seasons test of a 2015 Jaguar F-Type S, we had hoped Land Rover’s infamous reliability woes were over, but we’ve already been somewhat disabused of that notion. It began with an improperly fitted A-pillar black trim piece, but since that small repair, we’ve also experienced random and unexplained tire-pressure monitoring warnings despite correct pressures (an issue we’ve also seen on our Four Seasons Jaguar F-Pace), lurching and bucking from the powertrain after cold starts, and (by far the most odd) – a rear three-quarter window that isn’t tinted to match the others. Perhaps most annoying have been the freezes and bugs with the infotainment system, which could really use Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity as well as voice-recognition technology. Even when everything is working, the system is simply not intuitive to use. When a friend and professional web and user-experience designer happened to be sitting shotgun, he was surprised how difficult it was to sift through various menus to access key functions. The satellite radio also frequently cuts out due to a weak signal, while the media player interface gets easily confused when connecting devices via Bluetooth and USB at the same time.

Has Land Rover has finally made a Discovery that’s both rugged and reliable for the daily grind? While it’s most certainly grown from its 1989 roots as a bare-bones all-terrain terror to a stylish, family-friendly people-mover with nine (!) USB ports, such a question remains open. When the Discovery’s four seasons are up, we’ll know if this third-gen is the charm.

Our 2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE Td6 Luxury

Overview

PRICE $66,945/$79,950 (base/as tested) ENGINE Turbodiesel DOHC 24-valve V-6 TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic LAYOUT 4-door, 7-Passenger, front engine, FWD SUV

Chassis

CONSTRUCTION Unibody STEERING Electric power assisted LOCK-TO-LOCK 2.7 turns TURNING CIRCLE 40.4 ft SUSPENSION, F/R Control arms with air springs/Integral link with air springs BRAKES, F/R discs/discs WHEELS, F/R 20-inch aluminum TIRES Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 255/55R20

Measurements

L X W X H 195.6 x 87.4 x 73.5 in WHEELBASE 115 in TRACK, F/R 66.6 in HEADROOM, F/R 39.4/39.0 in  LEGROOM, F/R 39.1/37.6  in SHOULDER ROOM, F/R  60.4/49.5 in CARGO CAPACITY 45 cu ft/82.7 feet (third-row folded/second- and third-row seats folded) WEIGHT  4,916 lb WEIGHT DIST F/R  49.4 / 50.6 EPA MILEAGE  21/23/26 mpg FUEL CAPACITY 22.5 gal EST. FUEL RANGE  585 miles (est) FUEL GRADE  Diesel 0-60 MPH  6.9 sec TOP SPEED  133 mph

Equipment

STANDARD EQUIPMENT Power gesture-operated tailgate w/ power inner tailgate Power tilt and telescopic steering wheel Power sliding panoramic glass sunroof Carpeted floor mats Rear privacy glass, infrared reflective windshield Four-zone climate control 20-inch aluminum wheels Heated first and second-row seats LED automatic headlights Ambient interior lighting Front fog lights Keyless entry w/ push-button start Rain-sensing wipers w/ heated washer jets Bluetooth and USB connectivity Power-folding heated mirrors with approach lighting Front and rear parking aids 16-way power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats with memory 825-watt Meridian sound system Third row seating 10-inch InControl Touch Pro interface Satellite radio Navigation OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT Namib Orange paint $1,495 Rover Tow package $650 Full-length black roof rails $400 Full-size spare wheel and tire $440 Front center console cooler compartment $350 Autonomous emergency braking $125 Park Assist $800 360-degree parking aid $275 Activity Key $400 Loadspace cover $150 Rear-seat entertainment $2,270 Head-up display $950

Drive Pro Package $2,350

Driver condition monitor

Intelligent speed limiter and traffic sign recognition

Blind-spot assist, blind-spot monitor, reverse traffic detection

Adaptive cruise control with Queue Assist and intelligent emergency braking

Lane keep assist, lane-departure warning

Vision Assist Package $1,000

LED auto high-beam assist

Auto-dimming exterior mirrors

Surround camera system

Capability Plus Package $1,250

Active rear locking differential

Terrain Response 2

IFTTT

[jonathanbelloblog]

An Orange 2017 Land Rover Discovery Joins the Four Seasons Fleet

Through the many badges it’s worn here in America since launching here in 1994, the Land Rover Discovery has played an undeniable role in the early seeds of SUV mania. Even after the Disco name was dropped for North America in 2004 with the launch of the third-generation model in favor of the LR3 moniker (which evolved to LR4 years later with the launch of the fourth-gen), the iconic SUV endeared itself to would-be adventurers as a tantalizing mixture of rugged grit and upstanding British appeal. And although the original name is back, this new, fifth-generation model brings with it host of changes that, for better or worse, shake up the tried-and-true Discovery formula. To get a better handle on just what the new 2017 Land Rover Discovery is made of, we snagged one for our Four Seasons fleet.

Automobile’s first-ever Four Seasons test with a Land Rover featured a 1996 Discovery. That tough-as-nails off-roader was adored for its fearsome capability but mistrusted for its constant quality issues, large and small, earning it a dismal 2.5 stars out of 5. Land Rover went back to the drawing board for the LR3, updating everything from the pushrod V-8 to the frame, suspension, and styling language. With its vastly improved driving dynamics, ergonomics, and interior packaging (the rear seats actually folded flat), our test of the 2005 LR3 earned a much-improved 4 stars. Still, quality gremlins endured, and the freshly introduced DOHC 4.4-liter V-8 was neither powerful nor torque-rich enough to overcome the LR3’s ample heft.

For 2017, the all-new Discovery addresses all of these shortcomings, and more. While the boxy utilitarian styling may be gone, so is much of the Disco’s muffin top. Not only is the new aluminum unibody up to 1,000 pounds lighter than the steel structure it replaces, under the hood is the oil-burning engine we’ve envied from afar for years. We eagerly ticked the box for Land Rover’s 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6, the first offered in a U.S.-market Discovery, and have so far been pleased with the 254 hp and juicy 443 lb-ft of torque it offers. (Gas-powered models use a 340-hp supercharged 3.0-liter V-6.)

Barely a week passed before we took it for its first cruise, up from Detroit to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, where the Disco effortlessly towed a 16-foot fishing boat on a trailer. The new eight-speed automatic transmission works especially seamlessly on the highway, where it helps the 4,916-pound seven-seater return an EPA-rated 26 mpg. On several long hauls, however, we’ve managed as much as 28 mpg with a cargo area full of luggage.

In addition to the diesel engine, we added a laundry list of options to ensure we had the full Land Rover mix of luxury and capability. The top-spec HSE Luxury trim comes nicely outfitted with everything from air suspension to heated 16-way power seats with Windsor leather upholstery, Espresso wood trim, a fantastic Meridian premium sound system, keyless entry, Bluetooth, navigation within the latest 10.2-inch InControl Touch Pro interface, and front/rear parking aids. On top of that we kitted our Rover out with the Drive Pro package, adding adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with Queue Assist, and lane-departure warning ($2,350). Additional side cameras and LED headlights with automatic high beams come on the Vision Assist package ($1,000), while other pieces of tech like autonomous emergency braking ($125), a color head-up display ($950), a 360-degree parking aid ($275), automatic park assist ($800), and a full-on rear-seat entertainment suite ($2,270) have to be ordered a la carte.

On the more practical side of things, we made sure to include the Capability Plus package to get the active rear locking differential and Terrain Response 2 system ($1,250), a tow package ($650), roof rails ($400), and a full-size spare wheel and tire ($440). All told, our fully built-out family-hauling, rock-crawling, diesel-drinking, beverage cooling ($350) British behemoth rings in at an eye-watering $79,950.

So far, the Discovery has racked up more miles in such a short time than any Four Seasons vehicle in recent memory. Just two months into our test we’ve piled on 6,640 miles, putting it on pace to be one of the most driven Four Seasons testers on record. In short order we’ve adventured from Automobile’s Detroit bureau to Buffalo, Grand Rapids, two trips to Sault Ste. Marie, Chicago, Milwaukee, and Mackinaw City, Michigan. We’ve also spent a sunny afternoon off-roading at the Bundy Hill off-road park, where the Discovery’s raised air suspension, selectable terrain drive modes, hill-descent control, low-speed all-terrain cruise control, and low-range transfer case proved a Swiss Army knife of off-road guts in sand, dirt, and gravel. Once Michigan winter hits, we’ll be ready for the worst of it with a good set of winter rubber.

Though the Discovery has won praise for its capability, fuel economy, and utility, it is not without its detractors. Anglophile and contributing writer Marc Noordeloos wishes for better body control and a smoother ride, as well as a return to the bulkier styling of old. “I miss the near-timeless look of the old LR4,” he says. “This new Discovery has a bit of a hunchback going on and I can’t say I’m sold on the switch from a split tailgate to a fold-down.” Detroit bureau chief Todd Lassa, meanwhile, is often frustrated with the delayed throttle response. “The slow, clumsy tip-in makes me lose confidence when I need to merge into traffic. At least the interior leather and wood make the interior feel like a private London club,” notes Lassa.

Following a blissfully trouble-free Four Seasons test of a 2015 Jaguar F-Type S, we had hoped Land Rover’s infamous reliability woes were over, but we’ve already been somewhat disabused of that notion. It began with an improperly fitted A-pillar black trim piece, but since that small repair, we’ve also experienced random and unexplained tire-pressure monitoring warnings despite correct pressures (an issue we’ve also seen on our Four Seasons Jaguar F-Pace), lurching and bucking from the powertrain after cold starts, and (by far the most odd) – a rear three-quarter window that isn’t tinted to match the others. Perhaps most annoying have been the freezes and bugs with the infotainment system, which could really use Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity as well as voice-recognition technology. Even when everything is working, the system is simply not intuitive to use. When a friend and professional web and user-experience designer happened to be sitting shotgun, he was surprised how difficult it was to sift through various menus to access key functions. The satellite radio also frequently cuts out due to a weak signal, while the media player interface gets easily confused when connecting devices via Bluetooth and USB at the same time.

Has Land Rover has finally made a Discovery that’s both rugged and reliable for the daily grind? While it’s most certainly grown from its 1989 roots as a bare-bones all-terrain terror to a stylish, family-friendly people-mover with nine (!) USB ports, such a question remains open. When the Discovery’s four seasons are up, we’ll know if this third-gen is the charm.

Our 2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE Td6 Luxury

Overview

PRICE $66,945/$79,950 (base/as tested) ENGINE Turbodiesel DOHC 24-valve V-6 TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic LAYOUT 4-door, 7-Passenger, front engine, FWD SUV

Chassis

CONSTRUCTION Unibody STEERING Electric power assisted LOCK-TO-LOCK 2.7 turns TURNING CIRCLE 40.4 ft SUSPENSION, F/R Control arms with air springs/Integral link with air springs BRAKES, F/R discs/discs WHEELS, F/R 20-inch aluminum TIRES Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 255/55R20

Measurements

L X W X H 195.6 x 87.4 x 73.5 in WHEELBASE 115 in TRACK, F/R 66.6 in HEADROOM, F/R 39.4/39.0 in  LEGROOM, F/R 39.1/37.6  in SHOULDER ROOM, F/R  60.4/49.5 in CARGO CAPACITY 45 cu ft/82.7 feet (third-row folded/second- and third-row seats folded) WEIGHT  4,916 lb WEIGHT DIST F/R  49.4 / 50.6 EPA MILEAGE  21/23/26 mpg FUEL CAPACITY 22.5 gal EST. FUEL RANGE  585 miles (est) FUEL GRADE  Diesel 0-60 MPH  6.9 sec TOP SPEED  133 mph

Equipment

STANDARD EQUIPMENT Power gesture-operated tailgate w/ power inner tailgate Power tilt and telescopic steering wheel Power sliding panoramic glass sunroof Carpeted floor mats Rear privacy glass, infrared reflective windshield Four-zone climate control 20-inch aluminum wheels Heated first and second-row seats LED automatic headlights Ambient interior lighting Front fog lights Keyless entry w/ push-button start Rain-sensing wipers w/ heated washer jets Bluetooth and USB connectivity Power-folding heated mirrors with approach lighting Front and rear parking aids 16-way power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats with memory 825-watt Meridian sound system Third row seating 10-inch InControl Touch Pro interface Satellite radio Navigation OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT Namib Orange paint $1,495 Rover Tow package $650 Full-length black roof rails $400 Full-size spare wheel and tire $440 Front center console cooler compartment $350 Autonomous emergency braking $125 Park Assist $800 360-degree parking aid $275 Activity Key $400 Loadspace cover $150 Rear-seat entertainment $2,270 Head-up display $950

Drive Pro Package $2,350

Driver condition monitor

Intelligent speed limiter and traffic sign recognition

Blind-spot assist, blind-spot monitor, reverse traffic detection

Adaptive cruise control with Queue Assist and intelligent emergency braking

Lane keep assist, lane-departure warning

Vision Assist Package $1,000

LED auto high-beam assist

Auto-dimming exterior mirrors

Surround camera system

Capability Plus Package $1,250

Active rear locking differential

Terrain Response 2

IFTTT

[valanglade]

Nomades magazine… I recently invited you to follow via your social network their stunning escapes and authentic universe I have been sharing here too for 2 months.

They also cover some surprising encounters. You might have read the article here about Alexandre Sookia, a Rock Folk musician. Today I am sharing their meeting in Plouhanel in Brittany with Lionel Herphelin aka Le Bûcheron (The Woodcutter from the sea – whom you can also follow on facebook).

Beside being an amazing encounter, Nomades under water, portrait  & hands working wood pieces photos caught my eyes as always.

Let’s meet Le Bûcheron de la mer…

An artisanal know-how for the realization of boards to surf for the bodysurf. Le Bûcheron.

Not far from the sea, Lionel Herphelin takes us to visit his workshop. It is in his home garage that his surfboards come alive. In the middle of the room, the table on trestles becomes the Bûcheron’s workbench. It is covered with sawdust and wood chips, a mixture that reflects the sanding, planing and drilling work.

On the wall there is a large collection of hand planers, rasps, jigsaws, drills, drill bits, sandpaper, but also wood chisels, templates, hammers and other shape instruments. A little further on, is fixed an old rusty saw with, written on the worn blade, the words painted by hand: Le Bûcheron, surfboards and other pieces of wood.

The workshop would not be complete without the presence of surfboards.

A retro longboard, and a bi-colored egg shape are hanged from the ceiling, the signature is Marc Billion’s, shaper at Plouharnel, also known under the name of Atao.

Lionel prepares five wooden planks of elm. He takes care of a first piece of wood, scarcely thirty centimeters long. He passes blows of planes, caresses the edges, looks at the lines, and repeats these gestures several dozen times, like a metronome.

When the machine goes out, tiny particles of wood still float in the air, the smell of freshly cut wood is pleasant. Lionel removes his mask, a new surfboard has taken shape. Each model is validated and produced only after being tested.

This fellow of one meter eighty-five, built like a Breton wardrobe, was not born here.

Lionel comes from the North, far from the sea and a stone’s throw from the Belgian border. Forged in swimming, rugby and walks in the forest, nothing destined this Northern blond with azure eyes to settle on the water side – whatever.

Lulled by the stories of his father, who often went to the other side of the world for work, he discovered the Australian culture for which he was passionate. Surfing, skateboarding, boomerang, didgeridoo, will be his new passions.

Later, during a family trip to Bidart, the transition from theory to practice was more tedious than hoped. It is by courage, ream and energy that he will learn surfing, drawing inspiration from others.

The willd spaces and nature taught him to become enthusiastic for trees, even drove him in studies of forestry technician in the Loiret, in the School des Barres.

A first six-month internship in Guadeloupe at the National Forestry Office (NFB) will enable him to discover a marvelous island, where the gliding under a heavy sun and in a crystal clear water can be practiced every day. It is in contact with the premises that Lionel will perfect himself in surfing and will learn the bodysurf.

After completing his studies, Lionel settled in Haute Vienne because of the 1999’s storms and then returned for one year and a half in Guadeloupe accompanied by his wife. Return to the continent with a stop in the forests of the south of the Landes. They settled some time in Corrèze to finally drop their luggage in Brittany in Bay of Quiberon, where they live today with their two daughters.

Today, Lionel is an arborist technician in a pruning company in the Morbihan.

The passion for wood has always followed him, and it is on the basis of pieces of choped down trees that his first achievements have appeared. His boards are called handplanes, they facilitate the departure to the surf when the bodysurf is practiced.

After many researches, the first prototype is made of cypress from trunks cut from a Morbihan sawmill. Then followed a long series with different shapes, design and wood. Many researches and passion to achieve a satisfactory result.

Today, Lionel has created the brand « Le Bûcheron de la Mer » and focuses on the manufacture and marketing of different models. Each model is specific to adapt to all types of use, from the discovery of bodysurf to the most confirmed. Some of his boards are sent to Australia and even Hawaii. With the production of his small boards, he participates in making bodysurf better known which remains today a confidential practice in France.

Ste Barbe, la Guérite, Tata Beach, Mane Gwen, les Palissades, Penthièvre, etc…

… are the historical and well-known spots to all in Presqu’île de Quiberon. Stopped on the parking lot we go out to scrutinize the horizon. At each session, the same ritual: climb on the dune to see the sea and evaluate the waves before going to the water. At the top of the dune, a huge wild beach stretches as far as the eye can see. The spot of Port Blanc is perfectly adapted to the practice of the bodysurf: fast and hollow waves, often tubular. This is the time to test the new model.

We find Lionel, palms at the foot and a new prototype in hand. He starts in the water where a beautiful regular wave forms. After several minutes, he leaves on a wave bigger than the others and offers a long and beautiful slide. His arm is forward and rests on his board, his body is straight like a human surfboard. After a dozen surfs, we return to the beach, Lionel is pleased with the behavior of his prototype. There will be some retouching, but the model is validated.

Should you wish to buy a pair of handplanes, go & visit Nomades online collaboration shop

Follow Nomades® on Instagram – Facebook

You can also read again: OUESSANT •  NEW-YORK • JERSEY  by Nomades

Enjoy the encounter,

& live the Ocean like your playground…

Follow 2B&Co. on Facebook – Instagram – Ello – Twitter – Pinterest

Abonnez-vous à la newsletter hebdo / Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

[contact-form] WOOD & SALTED WATER… meet Le Bûcheron with Nomades® Nomades magazine... I recently invited you to follow via your social network their stunning escapes and authentic universe I have been sharing here too for 2 months.

[jesusvasser]

An Orange 2017 Land Rover Discovery Joins the Four Seasons Fleet

Through the many badges it’s worn here in America since launching here in 1994, the Land Rover Discovery has played an undeniable role in the early seeds of SUV mania. Even after the Disco name was dropped for North America in 2004 with the launch of the third-generation model in favor of the LR3 moniker (which evolved to LR4 years later with the launch of the fourth-gen), the iconic SUV endeared itself to would-be adventurers as a tantalizing mixture of rugged grit and upstanding British appeal. And although the original name is back, this new, fifth-generation model brings with it host of changes that, for better or worse, shake up the tried-and-true Discovery formula. To get a better handle on just what the new 2017 Land Rover Discovery is made of, we snagged one for our Four Seasons fleet.

Automobile’s first-ever Four Seasons test with a Land Rover featured a 1996 Discovery. That tough-as-nails off-roader was adored for its fearsome capability but mistrusted for its constant quality issues, large and small, earning it a dismal 2.5 stars out of 5. Land Rover went back to the drawing board for the LR3, updating everything from the pushrod V-8 to the frame, suspension, and styling language. With its vastly improved driving dynamics, ergonomics, and interior packaging (the rear seats actually folded flat), our test of the 2005 LR3 earned a much-improved 4 stars. Still, quality gremlins endured, and the freshly introduced DOHC 4.4-liter V-8 was neither powerful nor torque-rich enough to overcome the LR3’s ample heft.

For 2017, the all-new Discovery addresses all of these shortcomings, and more. While the boxy utilitarian styling may be gone, so is much of the Disco’s muffin top. Not only is the new aluminum unibody up to 1,000 pounds lighter than the steel structure it replaces, under the hood is the oil-burning engine we’ve envied from afar for years. We eagerly ticked the box for Land Rover’s 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6, the first offered in a U.S.-market Discovery, and have so far been pleased with the 254 hp and juicy 443 lb-ft of torque it offers. (Gas-powered models use a 340-hp supercharged 3.0-liter V-6.)

Barely a week passed before we took it for its first cruise, up from Detroit to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, where the Disco effortlessly towed a 16-foot fishing boat on a trailer. The new eight-speed automatic transmission works especially seamlessly on the highway, where it helps the 4,916-pound seven-seater return an EPA-rated 26 mpg. On several long hauls, however, we’ve managed as much as 28 mpg with a cargo area full of luggage.

In addition to the diesel engine, we added a laundry list of options to ensure we had the full Land Rover mix of luxury and capability. The top-spec HSE Luxury trim comes nicely outfitted with everything from air suspension to heated 16-way power seats with Windsor leather upholstery, Espresso wood trim, a fantastic Meridian premium sound system, keyless entry, Bluetooth, navigation within the latest 10.2-inch InControl Touch Pro interface, and front/rear parking aids. On top of that we kitted our Rover out with the Drive Pro package, adding adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with Queue Assist, and lane-departure warning ($2,350). Additional side cameras and LED headlights with automatic high beams come on the Vision Assist package ($1,000), while other pieces of tech like autonomous emergency braking ($125), a color head-up display ($950), a 360-degree parking aid ($275), automatic park assist ($800), and a full-on rear-seat entertainment suite ($2,270) have to be ordered a la carte.

On the more practical side of things, we made sure to include the Capability Plus package to get the active rear locking differential and Terrain Response 2 system ($1,250), a tow package ($650), roof rails ($400), and a full-size spare wheel and tire ($440). All told, our fully built-out family-hauling, rock-crawling, diesel-drinking, beverage cooling ($350) British behemoth rings in at an eye-watering $79,950.

So far, the Discovery has racked up more miles in such a short time than any Four Seasons vehicle in recent memory. Just two months into our test we’ve piled on 6,640 miles, putting it on pace to be one of the most driven Four Seasons testers on record. In short order we’ve adventured from Automobile’s Detroit bureau to Buffalo, Grand Rapids, two trips to Sault Ste. Marie, Chicago, Milwaukee, and Mackinaw City, Michigan. We’ve also spent a sunny afternoon off-roading at the Bundy Hill off-road park, where the Discovery’s raised air suspension, selectable terrain drive modes, hill-descent control, low-speed all-terrain cruise control, and low-range transfer case proved a Swiss Army knife of off-road guts in sand, dirt, and gravel. Once Michigan winter hits, we’ll be ready for the worst of it with a good set of winter rubber.

Though the Discovery has won praise for its capability, fuel economy, and utility, it is not without its detractors. Anglophile and contributing writer Marc Noordeloos wishes for better body control and a smoother ride, as well as a return to the bulkier styling of old. “I miss the near-timeless look of the old LR4,” he says. “This new Discovery has a bit of a hunchback going on and I can’t say I’m sold on the switch from a split tailgate to a fold-down.” Detroit bureau chief Todd Lassa, meanwhile, is often frustrated with the delayed throttle response. “The slow, clumsy tip-in makes me lose confidence when I need to merge into traffic. At least the interior leather and wood make the interior feel like a private London club,” notes Lassa.

Following a blissfully trouble-free Four Seasons test of a 2015 Jaguar F-Type S, we had hoped Land Rover’s infamous reliability woes were over, but we’ve already been somewhat disabused of that notion. It began with an improperly fitted A-pillar black trim piece, but since that small repair, we’ve also experienced random and unexplained tire-pressure monitoring warnings despite correct pressures (an issue we’ve also seen on our Four Seasons Jaguar F-Pace), lurching and bucking from the powertrain after cold starts, and (by far the most odd) – a rear three-quarter window that isn’t tinted to match the others. Perhaps most annoying have been the freezes and bugs with the infotainment system, which could really use Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity as well as voice-recognition technology. Even when everything is working, the system is simply not intuitive to use. When a friend and professional web and user-experience designer happened to be sitting shotgun, he was surprised how difficult it was to sift through various menus to access key functions. The satellite radio also frequently cuts out due to a weak signal, while the media player interface gets easily confused when connecting devices via Bluetooth and USB at the same time.

Has Land Rover has finally made a Discovery that’s both rugged and reliable for the daily grind? While it’s most certainly grown from its 1989 roots as a bare-bones all-terrain terror to a stylish, family-friendly people-mover with nine (!) USB ports, such a question remains open. When the Discovery’s four seasons are up, we’ll know if this third-gen is the charm.

Our 2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE Td6 Luxury

Overview

PRICE $66,945/$79,950 (base/as tested) ENGINE Turbodiesel DOHC 24-valve V-6 TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic LAYOUT 4-door, 7-Passenger, front engine, FWD SUV

Chassis

CONSTRUCTION Unibody STEERING Electric power assisted LOCK-TO-LOCK 2.7 turns TURNING CIRCLE 40.4 ft SUSPENSION, F/R Control arms with air springs/Integral link with air springs BRAKES, F/R discs/discs WHEELS, F/R 20-inch aluminum TIRES Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 255/55R20

Measurements

L X W X H 195.6 x 87.4 x 73.5 in WHEELBASE 115 in TRACK, F/R 66.6 in HEADROOM, F/R 39.4/39.0 in  LEGROOM, F/R 39.1/37.6  in SHOULDER ROOM, F/R  60.4/49.5 in CARGO CAPACITY 45 cu ft/82.7 feet (third-row folded/second- and third-row seats folded) WEIGHT  4,916 lb WEIGHT DIST F/R  49.4 / 50.6 EPA MILEAGE  21/23/26 mpg FUEL CAPACITY 22.5 gal EST. FUEL RANGE  585 miles (est) FUEL GRADE  Diesel 0-60 MPH  6.9 sec TOP SPEED  133 mph

Equipment

STANDARD EQUIPMENT Power gesture-operated tailgate w/ power inner tailgate Power tilt and telescopic steering wheel Power sliding panoramic glass sunroof Carpeted floor mats Rear privacy glass, infrared reflective windshield Four-zone climate control 20-inch aluminum wheels Heated first and second-row seats LED automatic headlights Ambient interior lighting Front fog lights Keyless entry w/ push-button start Rain-sensing wipers w/ heated washer jets Bluetooth and USB connectivity Power-folding heated mirrors with approach lighting Front and rear parking aids 16-way power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats with memory 825-watt Meridian sound system Third row seating 10-inch InControl Touch Pro interface Satellite radio Navigation OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT Namib Orange paint $1,495 Rover Tow package $650 Full-length black roof rails $400 Full-size spare wheel and tire $440 Front center console cooler compartment $350 Autonomous emergency braking $125 Park Assist $800 360-degree parking aid $275 Activity Key $400 Loadspace cover $150 Rear-seat entertainment $2,270 Head-up display $950

Drive Pro Package $2,350

Driver condition monitor

Intelligent speed limiter and traffic sign recognition

Blind-spot assist, blind-spot monitor, reverse traffic detection

Adaptive cruise control with Queue Assist and intelligent emergency braking

Lane keep assist, lane-departure warning

Vision Assist Package $1,000

LED auto high-beam assist

Auto-dimming exterior mirrors

Surround camera system

Capability Plus Package $1,250

Active rear locking differential

Terrain Response 2

IFTTT