Girls just want to have fun

Meet Brenda Ramsay, one extraordinary, single woman who – at the age of 74 – has driven to and camped in 10 countries over five years

- Brenda Ramsay

It all started when I was 69 years of age, living in a cottage on a game farm, working, and saving towards retirement. My little Opel at the time was taking strain on the appalling roads and I suddenly thought, “This is it, now I have a good reason to buy a 4x4!”

This realization may seem quite reckless to some, but the reality was that I had no idea how long I would still be alive. If I wanted to have fun and adventure, I needed to get going without delay.

I bought a used Freelander 2 automatic 4x4, the baby in the Land Rover family and, oh, how I loved that car! Included in the purchase price was an off-road 4x4 driving course, one that was ideal for getting to know the capability of the Freelander.

I must admit I had some reservations, in the beginning, I was afraid that I would not be able to cope in situations that would require big strong men (I am small), and that they would treat me with disdain should I fall behind. And so, I pepped up my courage and went off to Land Rover’s skills course. Luckily, there was only one other person, a young man who felt apprehensive too, so we shared our concerns and had a really interesting morning listening and learning from the course instructor.

“Trust your car,” he said, and the car was indeed so capable that I coped really well. I left there high on adrenaline – I had done it! It was so exciting and I loved the challenge and wanted more.