BOG OFF DARK NIGHTS!

Both Beach Buoy and Stubborn Dog looked fed up what with the Dark Evenings. 

So it was Promenade walk.. Kettle...

Radio...

Cuppa, Biscuits and something to read.




BEACH BUOY.

SEATON SANDS 25 NOVEMBER 2018.

This was Yesterday...

He is a Stubborn and Bossy Dog.

"HURRY UP!"

Dog and Owner... or Owner and Human hit the Beach at 7-48 am 
The 7 am club had been and gone.
Sticking to 7 am as they do, regardless of the light situation.

Two Hoods went up as the rain came as the two headed South.

They arrived at the Grey Rocks and Stubborn Dog demanded that they took the Dune route rather than the Beach ... Yes DEMANDED!
Beach Buoy spotted a gathering of Plastic Bottles; about eight in total.
In the Bag they went as part of his Beach Clean.
One of the bottles, without a top caught the wind just right and made a noise like a Ship or Fog Horn as it headed for the bag.
Bon Voyage

They crossed over to The Memorable Blue Lagoon.
The Tide was out The Lagoon was more of a wet, sandy, mudflat.

The Sun struggles to appear over the other side of The River Tees.

Old Buoy does his regular check on another Old Buoy.
It will still be around when Beach Buoy's ashes are sailing the Seven Seas.
So much driftwood here too; the piece off in the distance was as long as a Telegraph Pole... What? Ok as long as a Mobile Phone Mast!

Another Beach Clean item.

Pot Bottle Stopper.

S for .....
SLIDE?
SKID?
STUBBORN?

There was Sun to the South....

... and a threat of Rain to the North.



BEACH BUOY.

SEATON SANDS... 24 NOVEMBER 2018.

Beach Buoy and Stubborn Dog arrived around 7-50 am 
It was overcast and there was a fresh wind off the North Sea.
The wind was nowhere near as strong as it had been at times during the week. The Seagulls hung in the air like kites; they gave the impression of enjoying it, rather than battle against it to get to where they wanted to be as they had to do recently.

When  Beach Boy's Father did a drawing he would always put three Seagulls in it.
It's a flypast if you like.
Not a sentimental one; they were close but not as close as he had thought and if Beach Buoy does get to the "Other Side." the first thing he will do is punch him square on the chin, walk away and stay away! He died early 1980's  Beach Buoy has changed; not the same person he knew.
Beach Buoy would rather be alone in Peace, not judged, not classed, not rated, not compared, not pigeon-holed and not needing ANYONE'S blessing, comments or pat on the head,  to be who he wants to be dead or alive. 

The tide was out and going out more, leaving the wet sand behind to reflect the view.

Sea Serpent centre of the picture almost looks walkable distance. 

Two men and their dogs head for and pass the NO Entry Barrier to gain access to the North Gare Pier. A Fisherman; rods in hand had just walked the other direction looking all the world like a tightrope walker; using the rods for balance. 
More Gulls hung in the updraft down by the Pier.
Beach Buoy reminisced about Sand Martins that lived and flew  there in the warmer months.
As if to rub sea salt into the wounds, a screeching Gull travelled the Dune edge to join gliding Squadron and it only served to remind Beach Buoy of how long it would be before he heard the Skylark's song in that location again?

Beach Buoy headed back as an Arm of cloud seemed to embrace and scoop up the Bay.

When the Beach looks like the Sky.

When the Beach looks like the ... Beach.

The Sun illuminated the Village.

The delves in the sand gave an uneven water's Edge, some of the shallow pools created by it now became home to Bobbing Seagulls, like ducks in a Park Pond. 
A Jogger ran by with an unusual running style, like he had stumbled forward and was trying to recover to save a wet face in sand  incident for the last half mile?

Tide going way out and shifting sands uncover some corragations.

A Shackle, free from it's sandy tomb, stands poised for action

Sturdy  Uncovered Timbers become Beach Art, creating its own frame.

The Seaton Wreck.....

A hint of a spilt rainbow earlier into the walk, gave the clue that rain was around ... it was.


BEACH BUOY.

Van.....

More Van Talk.

After years and years of wanting one.

The dream became a reality; a partial dream at least.
I got the VW.
I spent many hours on websites reading about them.
Watching Videos about #vanlife
Not all VW related; just people telling their #vanlife tales.
Some spend hours putting their films together.
Here are a couple of links to some of the people that I look forward to watching.
MEVI
EXPLORER BUDDIES.
If you have time give them a look.
They put a lot of time into it and are real characters
a pleasure to watch and share their adventures and thoughts. 

BEACH BUOY.

TAXI ! 22 11 18.

One of the many benefits of having a Van; there are many, is when parked up during taxi duty you can make a cuppa and be comfortable...

Top Dog.

Kettle on.

BEACH BUOY.

SEATON SANDS 21 NOVEMBER 2018.

It was 4-02 pm.
It was cold.
The Sea looked like Snow drifts on a slate grey roof.

It was as Cold as it looked.

BEACH BUOY.

SEATON CAREW, HARTLEPOOL. 20 NOVEMBER 2018.

Beach Buoy was let out of work early, so despite the terrible weather he grabbed Stubborn Dog and headed for the Stormy Beach. Just as they parked up a curtain of rain swept in; Beach Buoy waited a while. From his vantage point he could see The Heugh Pier and The Gares taking a battering at opposite sides of the Bay.

He chilled in the Van and waited for rain to subside a little.
He sat and watched  the Seabirds struggling to Stand, let alone Fly in the Strong wind.
The Cyclist on the Promenade became a Pedestrian ...

Bought for a Rainy Day..
Today!

A break in the rain and they were out.
It wasn't too bad once you became accustomed to the surroundings.

A wall rather than a Curtain of Rain headed for the Beach....

Beach-cleaned.
About 40 ft of rope attached to an old marking float for Lobster or Crab Pots.



BEACH BUOY.

VAN 19 NOVEMBER. 2018.

The weather was shocking!
The night was dark in the blink of an eye.
Beach Buoy and Stubborn 

Dog sat by the Sea in the Van and listened to the rain falling onto the van roof, this coupled with the not too distant rumble of an Angry Sea was very relaxing..
On went the kettle.

The radio came out and played quietly as Beach Buoy thought and thought.

Beach Buoy likes Sunglasses..... note; Three Pairs...
He bought the Screen attachment to hold the Sat Nav.
He likes to leave it on the Screen, it feels like the option is there to go anywhere; anytime.
Should have got a van years ago!
Better late than never.
Never would have been so sad.

Things that make a world bearable....
I know....


BEACH BUOY.

SEATON SANDS 18 NOVEMBER 2018. X 2

Beach Buoy hit the Beach at 7-45 a.m.
with Stubborn Dog in tow and when I say in tow it's exactly what I mean!
It was a Damp Air Day.
The Sun was rising above The River Tees.

It was a glorious day.
the 7 a.m. club appeared in the distance
like a line of clued up gunslingers heading for a showdown with the Sun at their backs.
The Gang's Large Poodle broke ranks to say hello and get her neck scratch.

The Sun Glowed and Over-flowed, the contents spilt  all along the length of the Beach.

Beach Buoy stopped to chat to an Elderly Lady with a Stubborn type Dog. She had a lovely long coat; the Dog, not the Lady.


The Rising Sun pulled Beach Buoy and Stubborn Dog South, like a Magnet.
Grizzly Bear size paw prints headed North!
Beach Buoy quickly glanced behind.
He turned back South to the Glare of the Sun;
mid- November and there was Beach Buoy reaching for his Sunglasses.

There wasn't much cloud around.
Over by the Dunes there were some that looked as though someone had edged them in faintly; like an Artist might  do?

What did looks like a couple in the Sunlight turned out to be....possibly the luckiest fisherman in the world and a tripod for his two rods.
He was a big man; the type that would maybe have a Grizzly bear for a pet.
( Another Glance Behind.)

Beach Buoy headed back; his long, thin shadow on the Beach ahead, pointing the way North like a Compass Point.....
Oy!
OK!
 A Short, Chubby Compass point!
No matter what shape or size of the Shadow, up above , fingers of cloud pointed the way to the Sea.

Rescue?

Later that Day Beach Buoy returned to the Beach..
His Lordship; aka Stubborn Dog had to be carried from the Van, down to the Beach.

A Beach Walk turned into a Prom walk; a chance to think.

Story of my life!
Beach Buoy headed to the Van as the Moon replaced the Sun over The River Tees.

BEACH BUOY.....