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| Beach Buoy and Stubborn Dog left the building at 7-02 am. The van windscreen was frosted over, it had been a cold and clear night. They arrived in a dark, frosty and empty car park a short while later. Beach Buoy dug out an extra hoodie from the van's wardrobe and put it on. It was cold. They walked down the access ramp at 7-13 am. The sand on the beach was frozen hard. The air was still and cold. The tide was well out. |
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| Beach Buoy walked towards the sea with a C Moon and a Stubborn Dog behind him. Ahead the sea rumbled in the clear pre-dawn air. He stopped short of the sea and headed south so as not to disturb over one hundred Seagulls that were gathered by the water's edge. He could see the distant silhouettes of the 7 am club, ahead of him, heading south too. |
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| The 7 am club came by and 'Morning's' were exchanged . Mari the Poodle came over for a fuss as did her little chocolate brown mate. The sea tumbled ( and still rumbled.) it pushed a clean looking sea foam onto the beach, laying down a marker. Beach Buoy picked up a couple of cold stones in his gloved hands and headed up to the dune stack. He stepped back onto the beach. It was crisp on top, like snow that had frozen overnight. They reached the North Gare Pier and crossed over to North Gare Beach at 7-55am High tide would be around 10-30am; they would have to head back via the dunes. |
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| The Puddles of water of the Pier were frozen solid. North Gare Beach was fairly busy for the time of morning. Two young lads arrived on the Pier; fishermen. 1...'Morning' Beach Buoy... 'Morning.' 2...'Morning, fresh enough for you?' Beach Buoy... 'Lovely.' The lads clambered down to the side of the Pier. The set up their gear on a broken piece of the Pier, just behind where waves were crashing and rising up into the air. It didn't look like a good plan. A group of four people were down on North Gare Beach, they too headed up to the Pier. They were colourfully dressed in their bright coats and looked like they were sponsored by a well known on line selling outlet. They were stood in the wrong order and spelt out YABE Beach Buoy and Stubborn Dog headed for the riverside. The waves rolled in and eventually the Sun popped up. |
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| Two more fishermen were on the Pier; they chose a safer option for their location. |
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| A troop of Waxcaps? It is Beach Buoy's best guess. It was found on a large piece of driftwood that had been high and dry for a good while, down by the River. |
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| They headed back to the Bay. The sea was lumpy and bumpy. |
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| They headed back to the north through the frosty dunes. Sun shadows showed the way to go. |
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| As soon as they could, it was back to the beach. |
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| It was a fantastic morning. Beach Buoy paused and faced the sun. Vitamin Sea and D. |
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| Horses had left their marks. |
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| Later it was Greatham Creek and a new to Beach Buoy footpath. |
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| The Cows watched their progress on the footpath. |
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| There is a hide at the end of the twenty minute or so walk. |
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| Twitchers write on the board what they have spotted. At first Beach Buoy was thinking of putting a fiver on March Harrier at 18 to 1; seemed pretty good odds. |
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| The hide is cosy and gives a great view down the River Tees. |
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| The headed back to the main road. There are thirteen seals in the distance, enjoying the afternoon sun. BEACH BUOY. |
