Blackrock sands near Portmadoc claims another victim....

We drove there recently in the car on the way to visit Cricieth castle just to have a pog.
I didn’t realise there was a charge to go on the sands until at the entrance so that was an aborted trip!

It took a surprisingly long time to do a last couple of miles stuck behind two Caravans one of which had zero comprehension of how to reverse when he met a lorry carrying a mobile home up the relatively narrow road, the locals must be very understanding especially in holiday season.
 
I think the problem is that they charge so much for a day's parking that people stay longer than is safe to get their money's worth.
 
We drove there recently in the car on the way to visit Cricieth castle just to have a pog.
I didn’t realise there was a charge to go on the sands until at the entrance so that was an aborted trip!

It took a surprisingly long time to do a last couple of miles stuck behind two Caravans one of which had zero comprehension of how to reverse when he met a lorry carrying a mobile home up the relatively narrow road, the locals must be very understanding especially in holiday season.
A couple up our street have a caravan, must be 10years+, each time they get hime she gets the job of reversing it onto the drive coz she’s better at it. I’ve been know to get a chair and a beer out to watch, normally takes 45mins plus 😁
 
Tragic for the owners, a simple mistake can lead to their pride and joy being taken from them. They may even be from Europe with little knowledge of this place, or able to speak or read English warning signs. I hope their insurers cover them for their loss.
 
It seems surprisingly common, there’s regular posts of them on the local FB page.
There’s a video of the original van in this post bobbing about but otherwise it’s mostly cars though, with a convertible beetle being the latest victim over the weekend.

I wonder if this place could become like Rufford Ford where people clearly were intentionally taking vehicles there to flood and destroy them for clicks or to claim off their insurance before the council closed it

 
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Only just clicked to see the footage on you tube. The following on video has put tears in my eyes. "Letter from an airline pilot"
 
It just wouldn't enter my head to take a 4.25 ton motorhome onto a beach no matter how many vehicles were on it. Utterly bonkers.
Depends on the beech Barry.
I have been to Daytona Beech in Florida where you could drive the biggest vehicle you could imagine no problem, and where car races are held.
It’s common practice in the continent to park up on beeches.
And in the outer Hebrides we parked on several beeches along with others.
One beech was an official carpark on south Uist. Baleshare beech.
I just think it’s sad when people gloat at other people’s mistakes and their misery.
Show me a man or woman who has not erred, and I will show you an idiot and a liar.
It’s bad enough for these folk, without it being posted all over social media for others to laugh at, and make matters even worse for them.
 
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Depends on the beech Barry.
I have been to Daytona Beech in Florida where you could drive the biggest vehicle you could imagine no problem, and where car races are held.
It’s common practice in the continent to park up on beeches.
And in the outer Hebrides we parked on several beeches along with others.
One beech was an official carpark on south Uist. Baleshare beech.
I just think it’s sad when people gloat at other people’s mistakes and their misery.
Show me a man or woman who has not erred, and I will show you an idiot and a liar.
It’s bad enough for these folk, without it being posted all over social media for others to laugh at, and make matters even worse for them.
Or maybe it'll serve as a warning to others to take more care....

I doubt it though as its a regular occurance.
It'll likely continue happening until they decide to barrier the beach off and prevent ANYONE from driving on it knackering it for everyone as usually happens..

The council have already stopped overnight stays there a while back
Though they don't appear to be currently enforcing it.
 
Or maybe it'll serve as a warning to others to take more care....

I doubt it though as its a regular occurance.
It'll likely continue happening until they decide to barrier the beach off and prevent ANYONE from driving on it knackering it for everyone as usually happens..

The council have already stopped overnight stays there a while back
Though they don't appear to be currently enforcing it.
I have absolutely no problems using what happened to try to prevent reoccurrence.
But sadly some seem to enjoy other people’s plight.
The internet is awash with such posts, and the usual comments from some who profess their superiority over those hapless individuals who have erred.
I simply feel sorry for them, regardless of any stupidity on their part.
Yes they should have been more careful, yes they should have avoided what happened.
But then I also stand guilty of not being careful at times, it happens to us all.
I just hope they get over this quickly and learn from what they did.
 
On a very flat beach like Blackrock Sands, when the tide returns, the sand a good distance in front of the tideline becomes saturated. This is what catches people out. They've been parked all day without issue, the tide hasn't reached them yet and then all of a sudden they start to sink, then it is too late. I've parked the van there a couple of times, years ago when it was free, it's not a problem if you keep well high of an incoming tide. Not all beaches are suitable of course.
 
On a very flat beach like Blackrock Sands, when the tide returns, the sand a good distance in front of the tideline becomes saturated. This is what catches people out. They've been parked all day without issue, the tide hasn't reached them yet and then all of a sudden they start to sink, then it is too late. I've parked the van there a couple of times, years ago when it was free, it's not a problem if you keep well high of an incoming tide. Not all beaches are suitable of course.
Yes spot on.
When parking on a beech it’s important to note high tide marking, which is normally easy to spot. That way even if you do get stuck you are not at risk of what sadly happened here. I remember well having a few beers with two Americans who were camping on Lamlash Bay on Arran. This was way back in the 70s.
Whilst we were enjoying our beer and chatting later that night I asked them where they were camping. Thankfully after rushing out of the pub they managed to get to their tent before it was submerged in the incoming tide. I am sure that will have stayed with them for the rest of their lives. They came from Mid west, and would have had little idea about tides or tidal markings.
 
It seems surprisingly common, there’s regular posts of them on the local FB page.
There’s a video of the original van in this post bobbing about but otherwise it’s mostly cars though, with a convertible beetle being the latest victim over the weekend.

I wonder if this place could become like Rufford Ford where people clearly were intentionally taking vehicles there to flood and destroy them for clicks or to claim off their insurance before the council closed it

Rufford Ford is still closed and it looks permanent.

Currently the water is 3 inches deep.:rolleyes:
 
Depends on the beech Barry.
I have been to Daytona Beech in Florida where you could drive the biggest vehicle you could imagine no problem, and where car races are held.
It’s common practice in the continent to park up on beeches.
And in the outer Hebrides we parked on several beeches along with others.
One beech was an official carpark on south Uist. Baleshare beech.
I just think it’s sad when people gloat at other people’s mistakes and their misery.
Show me a man or woman who has not erred, and I will show you an idiot and a liar.
It’s bad enough for these folk, without it being posted all over social media for others to laugh at, and make matters even worse for them.

That maybe so but unless you are local and know that its safe my immediate assumption would naturally be to assume its not. Least not for a four ton motorhome. Beaches change as has been mentioned even over a few hours.

Its extremely sad I Agree and it must be awful for those that have pretty much lost their motorhome. I wonder how they stand insurance wise. Certainly not something to gloat over but for those nutters who wrecked their cars in that ford just to get youtube views I have absolutely no sympathy. Absolute bell ends.
 

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