Next Meridian, aka Nick and Mathilde, are on a mission to travel 88 countries and seven continents over four years. So far, they’ve explored Europe, North America, Central America, South America, and have recently arrived in Australia for the next leg of their journey. The first episode in The Land Down Under provides an insight into the import process and also the routine maintenance and upgrades required to prepare an older overland vehicle for the road. 
After two years (731 days) in the Americas, the French/Italian couple land in Perth ready for the next stage of their journey. The first order of business is collecting the Defender from the port and getting it inspected and road-legal. They also plan to use the brief hiatus from travel to make some essential upgrades to their 2012 Land Rover Defender Puma, aka Albatross, which include new roof insulation, tires, a gullwing window, Scheel-Mann seats, a hood bag, and pop-top canvas with additional windows. They also address essential maintenance, refurbishing their prop shaft and restocking spare parts. The episode culminates with a Land Rover community event and an opportunity for the couple to meet Australian enthusiasts and check out their Outback-equipped rigs. The next installment, Settling Into This Awesome 4×4 Again has just been published and documents their first miles in Australia and their thoughts on the recent upgrades.
As always, the production and storytelling are excellent and set the stage for what’s to come. Finally, this episode (along with many others on their channel) illustrates the realities of Defender ownership and how they can be modified and outfitted for full-time living. Since writing this, the Land Rover has been struck with engine failure, which has meant pivoting their plans and finding a replacement. Needless to say, it’s a nightmare situation but one that could impact any vehicle, so the upcoming episodes will undoubtedly be a valuable resource for others should they find themselves in a similar scenario overseas. If you’d like to follow Next Meridian Expedition then you can find them on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
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