Beach at Uphill closed over high spring tides - common occurance?

[Durcott]

Hi All,

This last Bank Holiday, I set off for Uphill, with a car full of the usual boaty bits. I had noted that a high spring tide was due, but thought nothing of it other than to make a mental note not to leave the car on the beach...

My boat is on the River Axe, so I normally park up at the WBYC pontoon, and then motor the tender up river.

This time, the beach rangers (?) had closed the beach access gate, as they were having to tow so many cars off the sand - even from just a few feet short of the access road. Basically, I was stuffed.

The sand on the beach that day was very fine - no way a normal car could get any grip on it, with a large hole being dug by the wheels in no time at all.

My mate reckons it was because of the higher than average spring tide washing all the mud out of the sand, or depositing fresh sand, or some-such mechanism.

I was wondering if this always happens on high springs?

Does anyone happen to know? It'll save future wasted trips

Cheers

Jeff Adams

 

[classic jenny]

quite a few launch dinghy's from uphill boat yard and either motor or row up to the river axe also you can launch from the outer pontoon of uphill boat yard just before the inlet meets the river axe but that's quite a walk loaded down with boaty gear. There is public parking on the way into the yard just before the café. Hope this is of some use

 

[Durcott]

Hi Jenny,

Yes - I 'know' the area quite well, but I cannot work out who owns what!!

So - when you say the boatyard, do you mean make use of the slipway? The tide is a little late in reaching that, compared to the slips at the club, but I'd have to say it is a darned sight more convenient.

I was worried about using it though, in case the owner wanted paying. At the time I used it though, there was no-one to ask, so I just got on with it!

I know about the outer pontoon as well - that is a long walk with a dinghy! Been there!

I see there is something like an old slip, or quay/wharf further up the pill from the boatyard, but I can't work out if that is private, common ground or whatever. I think it's the remains of the old harbour perhaps.

Jeff

 

[classic jenny]

The first slip as you come in the lane nearest the café is on common land so no problem launching there if tides allow. Uphill boat yard own after that up to the bend where the inlet meets the river axe I would ring and check about fees for using slip they may have an agreement with Weston yacht club about not charging members (If they indeed do charge)