It was just one of those things that you look back on and say 'why did I do that? I should have known better!'

We were out exploring a few track at the back of Anglesea for the morning as a single vehicle until a mate came down in his Pajero about lunch time.

Everything had been pretty tame until we came across an 'interesting' looking bog hole. I tested the depth of the hole before I drove in. It was quite deep (about 1.5m) and there was a lot of silt on the bottom. I got all my recover gear out (except the Tirfor - it was at home) because there was a good chance I wasn't going to make it through. However, with the winch I was confident that I had all angles covered (mistake #1).

So suitable prepped in I went. However, about 10m in I came to a halt. Grabbing reverse, with a bit of effort I managed to get it out backwards. Now thinking that a bit more momentum may get me that extra 15m to the other side (mistake #2), I planted the right foot and in I went. I made it maybe another 5m further before coming to a complete halt. On amount of forward/reverse or steering wheel movement would move the vehicle.

Not to worry I say, I'll jump through the window and fire up the winch. Inspection from the outside showed that the bull bar was submersed and the water was lapping at the bottom of my driving lights. I set the tree protector up etc. Jumped on the bullbar to release the winch cable. I couldn't disengage the clutch to pull it out. I'll power it out a little I thought. I pulled the cap off the top of the winch controller only to watch water disappearing through the connector into the solenoid box (mistake #3)! Plugged the control in, a bit of movement, then nothing!

Cut to the chase... After two hours chest deep in the silty, shitty, muddy water during winter trying to get the bloody thing out, my mate arrived in his Pajero. By this time there was about 15cm of water in the passenger side foot well. We tried snatching at first but the Patrol didn't move. Then a single line winch. Still no go. Then double line winch with the Pajero anchored to a tree. Only just got it. Once the Patrol was out it became obvious that the silt had acted like a big suction cup - there was 5cm of silt on TOP of my side steps.

Damage report: pride, wet carpets, plastic wheel cap lost, water in clutch, front diff and winch.

Results: carry Tirfor especially when alone, in-cab winch controls to be installed.