I get jittery driving across during low tide. Id be a nervous wreck skipping gingerly across inceasingly wet sand.
22nd October 2024, 13:52 BST Four people had to be rescued after getting stuck in a rising tide on a causeway. HM Coastguard received a report at approximately 16:00 BST on Monday of a stranded car on the Holy Island crossing in Northumberland. Berwick RNLI and two coastguard teams found the car completely submerged by the tide. The four had got into the refuge box and were taken by the RNLI to the mainland. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpqzqy5ww44o.amp
Which is where everyone gets the Cnut story wrong. The below is a lift from Wiki. In the story, Canute demonstrates to his flattering courtiers that he has no control over the elements (the incoming tide), explaining that secular power is vain compared to the supreme power of God. The episode is frequently alluded to in contexts where the futility of "trying to stop the tide" of an inexorable event is pointed out, but usually misrepresenting Canute as believing he had supernatural powers, when Huntingdon's story in fact relates the opposite. In Huntingdon's account, Canute set his throne by the sea shore and commanded the incoming tide to halt and not to wet his feet and robes. Yet "continuing to rise as usual [the tide] dashed over his feet and legs without respect to his royal person. Then the king leapt backwards, saying: 'Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings, for there is none worthy of the name, but He whom heaven, earth, and sea obey by eternal laws.'" He then hung his gold crown on a crucifix, and never wore it again "to the honour of God the almighty King".
And another Evie Lake BBC News, North East and Cumbria 1st November, 2024 ‘Seven people were rescued after getting stuck in the rising tide on an island causeway. Two cars were trapped on the Holy Island crossing in Northumberland just before 15:00 GMT on Thursday. Howick, Seahouses and Berwick Coastguard Rescue Teams attended the scene, alongside Seahouses RNLI who were stood down due to the receding tide.’ ’Rescue officers waded out to the stranded seven and used an inflatable sled to take them to a refuge hut.’ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c86qpeljlg2o.amp
A family got stuck last week and blamed the warning notices, the tide came in sooner than the tide table stated. Perhaps cutting it fine and unpredictable tides might have had something to do with it.
The notices say they’re a guide only. Ironically, if you do the walk from Melrose to Lindisfarne you have to walk across the mainline train tracks. There’s a timetable but it’s still worth looking before you cross I expect people who get it wrong rarely complain
It wasn’t when we went we got there and the snow was horizontal we walked across and thought not to worry there’s two lovely pubs we can choose from for a drink and a meal. When we reached the doors there was a sign saying closed today, so we trudged back to find both pubs shut for wedding receptions and the cafe for holidays. We were soaking, froze to the bone so we headed to Berwick for food.
It’s a bit like the Mountain Rescue teams who routinely have to put themselves at risk to rescue selfish idiots who choose to disregard sensible practical advice. I’d want to give them a slap to be honest.
Absolutely mate, it's a jewel of the NE and has an incredible history, unlike anywhere else in the British Isles. It's recorded history goes back to the 6th century, with St Cuthbert the patron saint of Northumbria living there, endless Viking Raids, the earliest examples of literature and Christianity. Various Northumbrian kings have either visited, lived or been buried there. The feeling of isolation, especially during my favourite time to visit through the winter, is profound when the tide comes in and it becomes an island. Standing on the headland looking out over Bamburgh Castle and the Farne Islands can send a chill through you on the sunniest day. You can just imagine Viking boats appearing over the horizon coming to plunder the Abbey and the little community ... ... the Ship Inn is great for lunch and a pint, always a good atmosphere and doesn't feel at all touristy.
Imagine, getting back to your car to see the tide coming in, trickling around your tires, your heartbeat starting to race you jump in and start the car up and race against the tide at full pelt, the water slowly rising up your tires as you speed off towards the coastline, will you make it?
