While this Pajero has definitely seen better days, it also highlights the importance of driving in favourable tide conditions when travelling on the beach. In this case, we had to wait until the tide was out so we could sneak around this headland, and even at dead low the waves came uncomfortably close. At high tide, old mate Pajero was underwater.Chances are, he wasn’t much chop at timing the tides.
Another reminder that it’s essential to have a means of self-recovery when travelling below the high-tide mark – the last thing you want is for your pride and joy to become the newest artificial reef. If you do get bogged and the tide is incoming, remain calm and assess the situation. If you’re travelling with another vehicle a snatch or winch recovery is the quickest way of getting out of trouble. If you’re on your own, try letting a little more air out of your tyres and using your shovel to dig yourself a “ramp” out of the hole you’re in. If you’ve got the time (and energy), you can dig a deep hole, attach your winch to your spare tyre and bury it in the hole before using it as an anchor – effective but not ideal if the waves are already lapping at the sills.