Sam Watson - The Overlander

A Series I perched on top of a 30-foot pole makes Sam do a double-take – but even that pales compared to what he’s about to see

While travelling round the more rural areas of the United Arab Emirates with friends and LRO readers Alan Sheach and Mark Woodward recently, I ran across a small market town in the remote Emirate of Umm Al Qawain – and slammed the brakes on sharply at the sight of a Series I – on top of a 30-foot pole.

Reversing and U-turning towards the precariously elevated 80in, I dropped off the tarmac in my Camel Discovery and drove down into a wadi – a dry river valley that floods during the wet season.

As I took stock, another 80in came zooming past, top down, windscreen folded flat. It was piloted by two grinning Arabs in full desert robes, obviously having huge fun. What on earth was this?