Be Careful out there!
HI All,
In this extreame weather - hope all members take care and watch out. Have been up in Earls Barton today and stunned at the flooding that is going on! Tempted to go in the deep waters, however was saved when a Lorry pushed by me and as he got to the flooded bit - the road gave way! (of course the one time I did not have my phone for pictures). It appeared that the water had washed under the road and all was left was a thin layer of tarmac! Now worried, drive and now truck safe.
So be careful out there!
Spider1V
Very true. There are enough break-downs and waterlogged cars to keep the insurers busy for a while.
I was tempted yesterday to drive through the local flooding, Drayton St Leonard, south of Oxford. Done it many times before. But with two abandoned cars in the middle of the 100m stretch, and NOT being in my G (just Saab), I chickened out and went on the 5mile detour, passed by a recovery truck on the way.
Wise words indeed, Spider.
Some idiot Land Rover fan posted this on my FB page today. Believe it or not, he has his wife/girlfriend driving, there is a todler in a babyseat in front, water is coming in through all the holes that LRs have and matey boy is in the back videoing it, presumably so he can post his idiocy on YT. Water is over the bonnet, so I assume he has a schnorkel and thinks he is invincible. But, as you mention above, they have no idea what the road surface is like, whether manhole covers have dislodged, or even what is floating about half submerged in the muddy water. Unbelievable stupidity, really!
Equally mentally-suspect was this guy who attracted the criticism of the police. We all know prepared 4x4s can do this stuff, but there is a time and place. Watch when he passes the JCB coming the other way. Still, at least he didn't have a small child in there with him.
I know that Welney stretch fairly well as it's not far from my work. It is flooded regularly during the rains and the locals see it at various depths and know what their vehicles can do. It is flat and predictable. I suspect by the guy's accent that he's a local and done it before. The locals certainly treat it as a bit of a necessity in the wet as the detour is substantial, but not at 4'. I have done it once in 12" deep.
Naturally, the police will condem it as it will encourage others to try it who don't know the road.
I think the only *really* questionable judgement was having the kid in the vehicle.
Other than that, well the vehicle is prepped for it, the driver is probably local and therefore knows the road. When all is said and done if he did get into trouble he'd probably swim out and would just have to take the consequences for the vehicle.
I agree that the only questionable thing is having a child in the car.
Other than that, thumbs up. I am fed up with the Gov'ment telling me what to do and when.
Statements such as one "could necessitate a call from the emergency services to retrieve you if you get into difficulty" are laughable, particularly when people climbing the Everest do get to need the emergency services every now and then while they are encouraged by the Gov'ment to do such a stupid thing.
I am for anyone needing the emergency services paying for the pleasure, but in the meantime, leave me alone!
Without wishing to be confrontational though - why?
Ok, so having the kid there wasn't especially responsible, but otherwise, so what?
Their vehicles were equipped, they obviously were confident in doing what they did and as Mortison says, quite honestly people should be responsible for their own actions without having the continous hand-wringing from the media and authorities.
Why should driving through 4' of flood water in this way be any different from undertaking a desert race, a trip to the poles, or jumping out of a plane (which I've done a few hundred times).. sure bad things can happen and I wouldn't want to tempt fate, but if people want to enjoy themselves with activities that aren't risk free, then they should be able to make that judgement and get on with it.
Honestly.. I'd sooner my taxes got spent paying the fire and rescue services to pick a climber off the side of Ben Nevis than I would pick up the cost of feckless, irresponsible and socially disfunctional people in this country! If government is going to interfere in peoples' lives then that is the place to start!!!
Roly.... you braging again about size??? :)
Spider1V
I don't think anything you have said is confrontational, at all - yes we should all have the freedom to do such things, and if the skill set matches then fine.
Though some thought must be given, IMPO, that posting such things will egg other people on who don't have the skill set, who don't have the the right technical changes to the vehicle and will get stuck and it means that the fire/rescue services will be distracted from going to people who will genuinely need their help?
If some of the people are that good - why do they not offer their skills and capabilities to those who would need it? When we had the bad snow down here a few years back - was glad to help respond to the local schools, old peoples home, local church Dr's and Police do runs and rescue's when asked. Maybe I should take vid's next time and post on YT? ahhh just remembered...I drive a G Wagen and not a landy.... :)
Spider1V
(I have a feeling that last bit will come back to haunt me LOL )
You can defend this both ways.
My first impression was bloody impressive and a lot of bottle. That's a long walk/swim if you conk out in the middle. Faced with a 20-30mile detour, you'd have a good case for doing it, with a suitable vehicle though.
Personally, I'd be really concerned that the vehicle would up and float off and be dragged into the main river with a cross flow - not good.
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I am truley amazed at some people.
The first one where he has a kid in the car with him......
The second one..... well I am just not sure on how to comment!
Spider1V