This derelict looking chair which lies abandoned above the normal high tide mark reminded me of King Canute who lived a thousand years ago and tried to tell his courtiers that he had no power over the waves.  I very much doubt if the chair will still be on this sand dune on Tuesday when the Spring Tide will be washing more of the dunes away as can be seen in the extra which I took earlier.


“Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings. For there is none worthy of the name but God, whom heaven, earth and sea obey”.
So spoke King Canute the Great, the legend says, seated on his throne on the seashore, waves lapping round his feet. Canute had learned that his flattering courtiers claimed he was “So great, he could command the tides of the sea to go back”. Now Canute was not only a religious man, but also a clever politician. He knew his limitations – even if his courtiers did not – so he had his throne carried to the seashore and sat on it as the tide came in, commanding the waves to advance no further. When they didn’t, he had made his point that, though the deeds of kings might appear ‘great’ in the minds of men, they were as nothing in the face of God’s power.