When Roads turn to Rivers…

Recently, I found myself in the notorious Flowton Channel watching the swirling dirty brown waters, from the safety of my car, with the certain knowledge I would have to turn back and take a long detour to work. I was intrigued to see the extent and depth of the frothing waters, so I got out and padded carefully along the high bank. On the other side I could see owners and vehicles nose to tail on the country road deliberating as to a course of action.

Then, I watched in amazement as a small white van decided to take up the challenge, side stepping the queue and entering the flowing torrent.

I inched further along the bank until I could go no further and watched the van turn the first corner and face the first deluge hitting the van squarely head on forming a neat bow wave as the waters surged either side.

‘Small white van and now I could see a man inside’ continued slowly on his way, no faltering, even though the bonnet had water lapping at the edges – he was making slow but inevitable progress, but now he was approaching his nemesis. He had to turn into and cross the cataracted river to follow the lane. Suddenly, I shuddered as I considered the van and its cargo could be swept away into the bubbling ditch below and it would be me – suited and booted who would have to wade in and rescue him !

However, ‘small white van with man’ clearly had divine right on his side, he transversed the corner and plodding on, passing my observation post, pulled up on the wet tarmac and waited for me. He wound down his window.

“How did you do that?” I said

“Easy” he said unruffled and without any whiff of concern. “Van has been modified and air filters been raised – piece of cake”

I was speechless and impressed, but was then immediately struck with the thought of what another ‘fool in the queue might do’ – no doubt follow a precedent set – and they definitely would not be so lucky or as ingenious as this fellow.

I felt it best to swiftly depart………

Posted by: Fawkes