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| Beach Buoy woke up to the sound of the wind, blowing outside in the darkness. It wasn't massively strong; more talking than screaming. Stubborn Dog yawned and stretched. "Beach?" asked Beach Buoy. The Dog tilted his head to the left. "Do you want to go and get Walter?" The Dog tilted his headed the other way, then ran full pelt at Beach Buoy and raised his front legs and pushed Beach Buoy. "Hurry up then!" the Dog seemed to say. It was cold. Beach Buoy prepared for a Cold Beach walk. He caught a glimpse of himself in the hall mirror and wondered if this Beach was down by the North Pole. A man with many layers. They ventured outside. There was hint of mauve in a still almost dark sky. Once again some Christmas lights were left on from last night by some of the neighbours. Next door, a lit up Reindeer stood beside an illuminated Sant Claus. They started the Van and set off to collect the Daughter's Dog. A Lowery type figure crossed the road ahead of them in the dim light. They passed the small line of shops; some were lit up in the gloom; open for business . The Butcher, The Baker and the Candlestick Maker, well it would have been if Spar made candlesticks. They collected their excited cargo and headed to the Beach. They drove along the Sleeping Seafront. A half-mast Flag flapped at the Golf Club, showing wind strength, direction and the passing of another member? Beach Buoy parked up. He mulled a little. The Van. He was just over 5 years from retirement. Maybe a new little car would have been a more sensible purchase? It may have even had a compartment for pipe and slippers? Nopey Nope that wan't him at all. Keep the pipe, the Sea air will suffice. Beach Boots preferred to Slippers. Life in the old fool yet! He loved that Old Van; a big bucket list tick. He opened the side door of the van and changed into those very same Beach Boots. The three set off. |
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| It was7-45 am. The wind was biting from the South , sending a dusting of Cold Dry sand Northwards. The tide was more in than out. They headed South into the Cold Wind. Beach Buoy dug his fingerless gloved hands deep into his Coat pockets before the hands became fingerless with the cold. The hands had a roll of dog bags and a handkerchief for company in the warmth of the pockets. The two Dogs had completely different walking styles. Fastened to the Beach Bag as they were, Walter was the dragger, Beach Buoy was the Ballast (Heavy) and Stubborn Dog was the dragged. At times when the two dogs went in differing sidewards directions, Beach Buoy would become a Maypole. |
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| Down by the Grey Rocks Beach Buoy spotted an Old Bottle Stopper, after a brief examination it was placed in a deep pocket to keep the dog bags company. There was no dramatic Sunrise today. A Curtain of Cloud had claimed it as its own. They headed back and as they did, Beach Buoy tumbled the bottle stopper with his fingers inside that coat pocket ,a little like a Gangster would with a coin in an Old Movie at more likely than not, at a tense moment in the action. |
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| Beach Buoy paused and looked out to Sea. Specks of Seagulls fed at the Sea Serpent. He pulled the Handkerchief from his pocket to blow his nose, it flapped in the wind like the Golf Club Flag. "BEST DAD" it proclaimed in large blue writing; "I'll be the judge of that." he thought to himself. Two Horses came South at the Water's Edge. They had matching blankets under their saddles; striped in the colours of the Northumbrian Flag. |
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| The Bay was Grey. The Two Horses went North then galloped back South. As Beach Buoy aka Nanook of the North left the Beach a man wearing shorts threw a Ball for his small Dog, Lucy to chase. All the Best. He drove to the another Candlestick Maker nearby and bought Milk and Two Croissants. One for Beach Buoy and the other for .... Err Beach Buoy. Those Dogs need a heavy ballast! BEACH BUOY. |
