Plucked From the Jaws of the 'Worm'

The Old Norse word 'orm' can mean a dragon. Worm's Head is a headland off the Gower Peninsula in South Wales. It's supposed to look like a dragon, face down in the water. That headland can be reached by crossing on foot a rocky causeway. The causeway is normally accessible two and a half hours either side of low tide. Scrambling across, generally takes around an hour and three-quarters. Attempts to cross outside this 'window', have led to deaths, with folk carried away by the strong currents. There was local excitement last week, when seven American students had to be rescued by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) from Worm's Head. At the time, storm Eowyn, was producing wild winds, driving rain and choppy seas. The RNLI had to make a total of four trips to retrieve the students who had been spending time at Swansea University (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/26/rnli-rescues-american-students-from-welsh-island-during-storm-eowyn). Although there's information about times of safe crossing times on the mainland, they may be changed by storm conditions. Climate change might well result in a further narrowing of the 'window'. Generally, it's  best to remain on the headland, if you miss your crossing. Means of communication also need to be carried. The American students were apparently intrigued to learn that the RNLI is a charity, with unpaid volunteers. Not everything is market-driven!