When Beach Buoy and Stubborn Dog left the house it was still fairly dark. The morning was mild and still; not a breath of wind.
Beach Buoy took the steering wheel lock off the Van; a reminder of just how old the van is and started the engine up.
Some of the neighbours already had their Outside Christmas lights up. The ones left on overnight lit up the scene as they left for the Beach....
The Road to the Beach gave a Lamp post guard of honour.
As they reached the Car Park a man finished a cigarette and stepped back into his Maroon Van.
Beach Buoy opened the side door and sat to change into his Beach Boots.
After locking up the Van they set off.
At the end of the Car Park Handrail there was a bag.....
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| It had the following message; "THROW THE BALL A BIT LONGER THAN USUAL LIFE IS TOO SHORT WE LOST OUR PUPPY AND WISH WE GOT THE CHANCE TO. BETTY 2016 2018" |
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| Inside the Bag the Ball read; "BETTY LOVED BALLS HAVE AS MUCH FUN AS HER." Beach Buoy took the Bag with him to the Beach looking for a suitable new owner. It was no good keeping it for Stubborn Dog; he wasn't that type of Dog. It has been mentioned before that he is more like a Cat in a Dog Costume. |
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| The Sun had not yet risen as the two plus ball headed South. The Sea was just beyond the Seaton Wreck. The Lady with a long haired version of Stubborn Dog followed her Dog to say Hello to Beach Buoy and Stubborn Dog as she sometimes does. Beach Buoy knew this Dog would be just the same as Stubborn Dog when it came to chasing a ball. He told the Story and the lady agreed it was a lovely gesture. In the distance Beach Buoy saw a couple with three dogs; all of them off their leads. As they approached, the Couple put their dogs on their leads. "Good Eggs." Beach Buoy thought. "Morning." he said as they passed. It turns out their Dogs love chasing a Ball so the gift was handed over. |
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| The two continued South towards a hopeful Sunrise. |
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| The Sun came, but only briefly. |
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| In the blink of an eye the Sun had gone behind the clouds. |
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| The tide was still out just enough to enable them to keep to the Beach when they reached the Grey Rocks, so they carried on to the North Gare. |
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| The Sun gave a short reprise to light up the Blue Lagoon Dune Grass. |
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| The tide was still out enough to leave the Lagoon dry. A line of sea- coal edged parts of the Lagoon. |
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| As usual there was much driftwood down by the River Tees. |
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| Off in the distance is Saltburn and Skinningrove beyond. Looking a little like far off Kingdoms in the Clouds. |
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| They returned to the Bay and the incoming tide seemed to have brought in a protective Mist... |
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| The route to and from North Gare Beach made Beach Buoy wonder at what age does someone go from "He fell over." to "He's had a fall." Not today.. but no doubt will one day. |
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| A Ghostly looking item from the #ghostfishinggear hashtag, it would have had a hook in it's back. |
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| Things change, thoughts change. Beach Buoy no longer has plans for much of his Beach finds. A gradual return to the Sea now begins for others in the collection... BEACH BUOY. |
