Devon Part 3 or What not to do in Devon.

The most terrifying time I have had in a long time was during our visit to Devon. It all started out well but let me tell you if you plan to visit Bigbury on Sea and Burgh Island then what ever you do don't rely on a 

SAT NAV to guide you there. 

For some bizarre reason it will direct you to a road from Aveton Gifford called (and the clue is in the name) Tidal Road.

The first thing you come to is what looks like a small ford. No problem you may think but a bit further around the corner you come to this. 

Which at High Tide becomes this

and then this

and apparently the flooded road can be like this on and off for 3/4 of a mile.

Fine if the tide is out but not if it is coming in you could get stuck. 

Luckily we only went part of the way to the house you can see on the middle photo as it wasn't too deep but the tide was coming in rapidly. The owner was standing at her gate and we spoke to her about the road ahead. She said at least two cars get stuck daily in the water and have to get the breakdown service to rescue them. 

Luckily she had someone working on her property who was local and he showed us the road the locals use to get back to the main road. It was narrow and more like a cart track with a very sharp right turn that meant reversing into someones turning point outside their property but at least we didn't have to go back through the water or wait for Low Tide. 

I looked on You Tube when I got home and saw how close to the water the road goes. 

So only follow the SAT NAV if you know it is low tide, the tide isn't coming in or you have a four wheel drive vehicle that is high up or you fancy driving into a tidal estuary.

It was funny when I recounted the story to my sons of the day dad drove us into the sea but at the time, well you can image what I was saying.