Crossing the Sands

The sands of Morecambe Bay are full of danger. The tide comes in faster than you can run and there are many unpredictable areas of Quicksand. Many lives have been lost as a result of people venturing out there and not appreciating the severe danger.

But for hundreds of years the sands have provided a route for travellers and commerce between Lancashire and the Furness area of Cumbria.

Since 1548 there has been an official Guide to the Sands appointed by the King or Queen.  The Guide had detailed knowledge of the tides and the ever moving quicksands.

Nowadays the Guide leads large groups across the five mile route. These crossings take place at weekends throughout the Summer and those crossing make contributions to designated Charities.

My blip shows today’s group approaching the far shore.
Note that they have been lined up parallel to the shore. This is because at this point they are about to cross one of the channels of the River Kent. If all 300 of them waded across the channel in crocodile formation their feet would stir up the river bed and create the quicksands which are such a danger to life.