Wednesday, 8 April 2026
8, APRIL 2026. SEATON SANDS, HARTLEPOOL.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog reached Sandy or Seaview Car Park at 6-24 a.m.
They headed down the beach access ramp.
A lady and her Border Collie were coming up the ramp, beach walk done.
"Morning."
"Morning."
It was Sunrise time but low cloud had claimed it.
A Crow policed the Gulls and Oyster Catchers that were standing on the water's edge.
The tide was well in.
It was a short walk to the water's edge.
Beach Buoy collected five suitable stones.
There was a light breeze from the south west.
A lady with a pointy hat and a quicker pace was also heading south along the water's edge.
Beach Buoy moved up to the strand-line, out of her way.
The Beachcombing Border Collie Couple weren't too far behind.
A Gull surfed just above the breaking waves.
Team One Black Ear caught up with Beach Buoy and Another Dog.
They walked and chatted together.
Beach Buoy made a fuss of Hugo, the dog with one black ear.
The others led the way.
They passed another driftwood seat on their way to the low level route.
Beach Buoy collected two sturdy stones.
He placed them at the base of the small slope.
7-04.
"Morning Mate."
Beach Buoy added the five suitable stones.
He patted
THE
stone.
He scattered some seeds for the missing Crows.
"See you mate."
Beach Buoy intended to continue southwards.
He wanted to check on the Sand Martin situation.
They had only walked a short distance along the dune edge.
Another Dog went on strike.
They had a stand off .
Beach Buoy looked to the south.
Another Dog looked to the north.
In the distance, Team Muzzled Dog walked the beach.
Nearby a bird sang sweetly.
Up near the Tank Traps, a fisherman faffed.
Beach Buoy let Another Dog win.
They headed back north.
They passed Team Muzzled Dog.
They were up on the dune edge.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog we're on the low level route.
"Morning."
"Morning."
He told them that the Sand Martins had returned.
Later he passed Mr.Gunn/Lunn.
He told him about seeing them too.
They agreed that the Seaton Carew Sand Martins were indeed back.
BEACH BUOY
Tuesday, 7 April 2026
7, APRIL 2026. SEATON SANDS, HARTLEPOOL.
Beach Buoy had been up since 3-30.
He thought he may as well get to the beach before sunrise.
An early-morning Police chase and a tragic outcome at the end of the road changed things.
He and Another Dog arrived at the beach
at 6-33 a.m.
The Sunderland was already up and the air was still.
Another beach goer captured the early Sun.
They headed to the water's edge.
Beach Buoy collected five suitable stones.
Team One Black Ear were up ahead to the south.
Others headed north.
The Sun was glorious.
The Moon hung over the dunes.
They wandered along the water's edge.
The tide was well in.
The Sky was so clear.
The sea sparkled.
The sea foam so white.
The air felt so fresh.
It really did feel like someone had pressed a reset button for the world...
If only.
The Beachcombing Border Collie Couple overtook at pace.
Team One Black Ear headed back to the north.
They chatted.
A lady jogger went by with her two small dogs.
"Morning."
"Morning."
"Morning."
She was the lady who last year had dropped something on her foot resulting in a "Cartoon Toe."
Beach Buoy and Another Dog walked the low level route.
He collected and added two sturdy stones.
"Morning Mate."
It was 7-13.
He added the five suitable stones.
He patted
THE
stone.
He stood.
He thought.
He made notes in his beach book.
As he did do three Geese flew directly overhead.
A missed chance of a photograph.
He listened to the Skylarks as he watched the waves break into the grey rocks below.
He scattered some seeds for the missing Crows.
"See you mate."
He had decided to continue south to see if there were any signs of the Sand Martins.
A glance back to the north as the walked the dune edge.
The tide was still well in, waves broke around the tank traps.
7-27
Three Sand Martins whizzed by heading south.
Beach Buoy was so happy.
Another Dog was less enthusiastic.
Beach Buoy scrambled to a vantage point.
He wanted to see if any Sand Martins were flying around Sand Martin Corner.
They were!
He stood.
He sobbed.
Their arrival is his big marker.
More than Christmas.
More than a birthday.
He made it to see the first Sand Martin again.
He sobbed for those who have no more first ofs to enjoy.
Their stories done even if unfinished.
He wandered around looking for the best vantage points to take photographs
The little birds are so quick.
Eventually they headed back.
The fallen man.
Along the water's edge.
Back to the Village.
The Council Tractor was heading south.
More beach-scraped stones heading to the grey rocks.
Make the north end of the beach tourist-friendly.
What a fun job.
The lady with a black dog and a white dog arrived.
The white dog ran to the sea and laid in it.
The black one likes the water too.
It swam way out one day.
So far out that Beach Buoy couldn't watch.
The Tractor trundled back.
Follow the Yellow Sand Road.
There are times that Beach Buoy feels like the Lion, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow all round it to one.
BEACH BUOY.
Monday, 6 April 2026
6, APRIL 2026. SEATON SANDS, HARTLEPOOL.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog reached Sandy Car Park just as the Sun cleared the horizon.
It was 6-28 a.m.
High tide had been at 5-46 a.m.
Low tide would be at 11-58 a.m.
There was a chill in the air.
A light breeze was blowing from the west
They headed to the sea.
Beach Buoy collected five suitable stones as they did so.
Team One Black Ear were way to the north.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog walked their usual walk south.
The early morning colours were a delight.
A beach fisherman and a child were up ahead.
The fisherman faffed with rods.
The child seems happier with the tent?
Beach Buoy and Another Dog wandered to the water's edge.
It allowed the Beachcombing Border Collie Couple to pass by on the narrow beach.
A Gull walked the waters edge too.
It took flight as the sea water swept around it.
Team One Black Ear came along.
They chatted.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog continued south.
The Sea Serpent.
They walked the low level route.
Beach Buoy collected two sturdy stones.
He placed them at the bottom of the small slope.
7-08.
"Morning Mate."
He added the five suitable stones.
He patted
THE
stone.
He had a stand, think and a sip of hot coffee.
A Parcel of around 30 or 40 Oyster Catchers flew by.
He scattered seeds for the Crow for when they arrive.
Ruby.
Another Dog.
Dylan and Lily had been added to the stack.
Artwork too.
Three Ducks flew over and then around the stack.
Three became two.
He was filming the Ducks.
When...
A Crow appeared.
Beach Buoy talked to the Crow, explaining that breakfast was served.
"See you mate and Crow."
They returned to the low level route.
A driftwood seat tempted him to sit and drink coffee from his thermal mug.
He watched the sea.
The breaking waves.
Team Muzzled Dog passed behind them, up on the heights of the dune edge.
"Morning."
"Morning."
"Morning."
Beach Buoy added a wave, topped off with a thumbs up for luck.
They headed back to the Village.
They passed the beach fisherman.
Gulls too.
A man headed south with a large dog.
It was off its lead.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog headed to the dunes for a short distance.
The storm had been very busy moving and shaping sand.
Beach cleaned.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog returned to the beach.
They chatted to Mr.Gunn/Lunn.
He stated that he saw a passing Sand Martin at the Blue Lagoon, adding that he didn't think that it was one of the Seaton Sand Martins.
To the north, some sea swimmers had hired the sauna tent.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog rested on the Esplanade Wall.
Down at the water's edge, Not not Beach Buoy and his dog walked as far as the start of the dunes.
They always take a sharp right turn there.
They always join the Esplanade at it's southernmost end before returning to the north.
Another couple of cogs in the clockwork beach.
BEACH BUOY.
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