WET AND WILD
BBC TopGear India|September 2024
No doors, no roof, no boot, but at least there's a windscreen... Paul Horrell pulls on his waterproof trousers and takes the Nomad 2 for a spin
PAUL HORRELL
WET AND WILD

Mariners will always respect the sea. In difficult times they’ll be in blind fear of its implacable power. An incoming tide is a landlubber’s window on its power. As King Cnut predicted. When the waters are approaching from both sides the fear is doubled and more. One of the most relatably terrifying episodes in scripture follows the parting of the Red Sea for Moses to lead his people through. The divinely created causeway closes afterward, drowning their chasing persecutors... “And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea.”

In comparison, today’s TopGear jeopardy is trivial. It’s neap tides, the gentlest ones, and a blissfully calm day as we traverse the Holy Island causeway. This road is the lifeline to the fishing village on the Northumberland outcrop of Lindisfarne. It’s a tourist honeypot too, with up to 3,000 vehicles crossing daily during the intervals when the waters don’t cover the road. And of course tide tables give full predictability of safe crossing times. Brutally stern notices warn against risking it when the waters are lapping over the tarmac on an incoming tide. Partway along, a refuge hut stand on stilts. Plenty of hapless drivers do indeed have to climb the ladder, huddle in the hut, and watch the rising salt water slowly drown their car.

We take the early morning window to drive onto the island. We’re pretty much the sole visitors. A tang of salt is in the air, the fishermen land their haul, and however eerie this would be in a winter mist, today’s bright glassy sunlight blinds me to much sense of the spirits of St Cuthbert and the early Christians and raiding Vikings. Four hours later, the tide has nearly fallen enough to uncover the causeway. A mile-plus queue, largely camper vans, has formed on the mainland side waiting to cross.

This story is from the September 2024 edition of BBC TopGear India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 2024 edition of BBC TopGear India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BBC TOPGEAR INDIAView All
Does It Fly?
BBC TopGear India

Does It Fly?

2024 TVS APACHE RR 310 ₹2.75 Lakh - ₹2.97 Lakh (ex-showroom)

time-read
7 mins  |
October 2024
Is It A Scooter? Is It A Bike? No! It Is The BMW CE 02
BBC TopGear India

Is It A Scooter? Is It A Bike? No! It Is The BMW CE 02

It is rare when you come across a moment where a company brings out a vehicle into the market without knowing who exactly they want to sell it to.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
Aston Martin Valkyrie
BBC TopGear India

Aston Martin Valkyrie

The Aston Martin Valkyrie still looks like nothing else on four wheels. Probably because it isn’t.

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
ONE-MAN BAND
BBC TopGear India

ONE-MAN BAND

We are a cynical bunch of people as we try our best to narrow down our vision and focus on the things that are lacking.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
CRISIS AVERTED! THE EXISTENTIAL KIND
BBC TopGear India

CRISIS AVERTED! THE EXISTENTIAL KIND

Finally, the Yezdi Adventure won’t be suffering from an existential crisis anymore.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
ROYAL ENFIELD HIMALAYAN
BBC TopGear India

ROYAL ENFIELD HIMALAYAN

ALTHOUGH IT IS A PERENNIAL ORDEAL FOR ANY MOTORCYCLIST to feel sad while parting ways with a motorcycle, it became even sadder for me this time around.

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
TVS APACHE RTR 310
BBC TopGear India

TVS APACHE RTR 310

THE FIRST THING I WANT TO SAY IS - “IT IS A MENACE ON WHEELS”.

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
ACE OF BASE
BBC TopGear India

ACE OF BASE

What happens when you take Porsche's old school entry level model and give it a very not entry level upgrade? This is a 914 as you've never seen it before

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
MOMS KNOW BEST
BBC TopGear India

MOMS KNOW BEST

Volvo's XC90 was the stereotypical Soccer Mom car. So how will the all-electric EX90 be received among the soccer pitches of Orange County?

time-read
7 mins  |
October 2024
THE THEORYOF EVOLUTION
BBC TopGear India

THE THEORYOF EVOLUTION

Ridged bladder seats, an inflating steering wheel and an AI track day coach... has Lotus hit on the supercar’s future, or gone mad’?

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024