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Odd things that have happened at dusk in the UK.

272 replies

rewilded · 13/09/2024 23:00

I was driving back to my campsite from Lizard's Point to St Ives at dusk, and my sat nav kept directing me onto narrow B roads. One particular turn felt wrong from the start. We were quite high up, and the lane grew narrower and more rugged as we went further down. The road eventually turned into a rubbly track, with steep banks on both sides, dense undergrowth, and trees leaning over, giving it an eerie atmosphere. I grew anxious, worried that another car might come from the opposite direction since reversing would have been impossible. I was also convinced that one side was either a cliff edge or a steep drop. The thought of being ambushed crossed my mind, especially since I had my teenage daughter with me.

Suddenly, the sat nav cut out, and we found ourselves at a dead end with a fjord at the bottom. The road ended abruptly, swallowed by thick undergrowth and forest on the other side. An overwhelming sense of dread washed over me—an indescribable feeling of pure evil. I was terrified.

It took everything I had to reverse back up the hill, and it felt almost impossible to make it out. When I finally reached the top and got back onto the road, I stopped for a moment to compose myself. Just then, a car emerged from that very lane and sped off. I’ve never gotten onto an A road so quickly in my life.

OP posts:
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GoldenLegend · 14/09/2024 09:06

SatNav is useless in Devon and Cornwall. Too many unadopted roads and GPS blind spots.

Hardlyworking · 14/09/2024 09:07

There's loads of lane closures at the minute around Leedstown and Nancegollan due to new fibre going in.

Rational version of your story is: driving to St. Ives from Lizard point sat nav sent us down a typical Cornish lane to avoid the road closures. I got scared cos I'm from the city and not used to single track lanes. I came across a ford and not understanding that you are supposed to drive slowly through them and continue on your journey I panicked and reversed back up the lane. As I emerged onto the larger road a car came up the hill that had driven through the ford from the other side.

And the few ford's remaining in Cornwall aren't deep. Especially not in September! Next time stop being a drama queen and drive through, or stick to the main roads.

GingerPirate · 14/09/2024 09:22

LampHat · 13/09/2024 23:07

A fjord in Cornwall! And at dusk no less. Best call 111.

Yes.
😁

Cattery · 14/09/2024 09:24

Is this a Bot/Chat GPT?

Cattery · 14/09/2024 09:26

Watchinglost · 13/09/2024 23:22

This sounds AI written

That’s what I mean

Jennyathemall · 14/09/2024 09:29

LeontineFrance · 14/09/2024 08:48

This happened to us twice in Cornwall - once ending up in a farm yard and the other on a foot path. Also, another car emerging was perhaps a couple up to 'how's your father' (old fashioned word for hanky panky), they saw or heard your car and decided it wasn't safe to stay there! All explainable.

As opposed to that modern phrase “hanky panky”

Saschka · 14/09/2024 09:42

Hardlyworking · 14/09/2024 09:07

There's loads of lane closures at the minute around Leedstown and Nancegollan due to new fibre going in.

Rational version of your story is: driving to St. Ives from Lizard point sat nav sent us down a typical Cornish lane to avoid the road closures. I got scared cos I'm from the city and not used to single track lanes. I came across a ford and not understanding that you are supposed to drive slowly through them and continue on your journey I panicked and reversed back up the lane. As I emerged onto the larger road a car came up the hill that had driven through the ford from the other side.

And the few ford's remaining in Cornwall aren't deep. Especially not in September! Next time stop being a drama queen and drive through, or stick to the main roads.

I agree (and clearly wasn’t a dead end if there was a ford there). But I wouldn’t drive through an unknown ford in the dark, not all of them are passable in normal cars. Maybe if there was a depth sign, but there often isn’t.

ICallPeopleDudeNow · 14/09/2024 10:11

Loved the Christine reference… this whole story made me think of Stephen King’s short story, Mrs Todd’s Shortcut. Read it and thank me later…. There be some weird roads about all over… Wink

LochKatrine · 14/09/2024 10:11

rewilded · 14/09/2024 00:07

Also scared another car would come up behind me and I'd have to get out to explain why I was reversing. Could of been a pervy or angry man. That's a genuine valid fear. Imagine meeting a pervert with road rage alone on the country road dead in the woods? Nope. Nope. Nope.

I know imagine a car coming down after me and just stopping! Lights full beam argh...stuff of nightmares.

This has put me off going back next year.

Just drive in daylight. Or don't use a satnav. Or plan your journey beforehand. Or carry rosary beads and a Bible.

DollopOfFun · 14/09/2024 10:19

I certainly have known some odd things happen in the U.K. at dusk.

Usually after a spot of day drinking to be fair.

crackofdoom · 14/09/2024 10:22

Ladyritacircumference · 14/09/2024 08:09

Yes we have a few. For example Loch Seaforth on the Isle of Harris. In Wales there is a couple.Non in the West Country though.

We do have rias- sunken river valleys NOT estuaries though- for example the Fal and the Helford. The latter of which OP would have been pretty close to.

rewilded · 14/09/2024 10:25

@BreatheAndFocus
There are whole websites devoted to visitors to Cornwall who blindly followed their satnav and got stuck😀

Which website? Sounds like just my cup of tea.

OP posts:
crackofdoom · 14/09/2024 10:25

Trainerstrainers · 14/09/2024 08:29

I did recently see a badger driving (as a passenger) at night in the countryside. Was very excited!

We need more info here. Human or badger at the wheel, and were they driving a Ford Focus??

mondaytosunday · 14/09/2024 10:27

@PickAChew is that why he's an ex?

LochKatrine · 14/09/2024 10:28

crackofdoom · 14/09/2024 10:25

We need more info here. Human or badger at the wheel, and were they driving a Ford Focus??

Well, quite. I asked upthread, but sadly no response.

crackofdoom · 14/09/2024 10:29

Fescue · 14/09/2024 08:35

But where are the fords there?

You wouldn't have to divert far off that route to encounter the ford off Gweek Drive. Which IS pretty gnarly, and the lane the other side of it is definitely a buttock clencher, but it's there.

rewilded · 14/09/2024 10:36

I'm now thinking this could be a great trailer for a new Netflix drama! Anyone want to flesh it out?

...this did happen. I can see Tara Tointon as lead.

OP posts:
LochKatrine · 14/09/2024 10:38

I was thinking Audrey and Norris from Coronation Street. Having a caravan break and getting lost. Finding the ghost of Ena Sharples by a fjord, having mistakenly arrived in Norway by following the satnav.

LochKatrine · 14/09/2024 10:38

They see a badger driving a Nissan in the opposite direction.

suburburban · 14/09/2024 10:39

@LochKatrine

Re: Badger driving

Was he eating mashed potatoes

(Showing my ageSmile)

LochKatrine · 14/09/2024 10:39

suburburban · 14/09/2024 10:39

@LochKatrine

Re: Badger driving

Was he eating mashed potatoes

(Showing my ageSmile)

I'm so old, my children loved that!

suburburban · 14/09/2024 10:41

Loved Christine film- last seen in circa 1987

Wish they would reshow it

CrushingOnRubies · 14/09/2024 10:42

In Cornwall a old fashioned a-z is handy

The lizard is a bit windy but once you find the main road to Helston then follow the road to Camborne & Hayle. Or via Penzance it's not too bad

Cattery · 14/09/2024 10:53

@crackofdoom A badger driving?! 🤣

sashh · 14/09/2024 10:55

LochKatrine · 14/09/2024 10:11

Just drive in daylight. Or don't use a satnav. Or plan your journey beforehand. Or carry rosary beads and a Bible.

I once brought some rosary beads back from a holiday for my parents. They were very simple with knots instead of beads and my mum said, "Oh these will be great to keep in my purse in case of an emergency"

I cracked up because I could not think of a single instance when you might need emergency rosary beads.

Now my brother lives in Truro, so they obviously need them for the the last bit of the journey.