It was a still, damp morning.
Beach Buoy had been awake since 5 am.
They set off in the darkness at 6-40 am
Beach Buoy's phone battery said 96%
Beach Buoy was about 48 %
The phone's weather app said 90%
chance of cloud, so chances of a visible sunrise were looking slim.
As they walked to the beach,
Birds sang in unlit trees trying to fool themselves and possibly anyone listening that it was spring
They reached the promenade wall.
It was still dark.
A cyclist had stopped at the end of the promenade.
his bike's lights flashed like marker buoys.
A couple were down by the water's edge.
Beach Buoy could just make out their outlines as they headed south.
Beach Buoy drank hot coffee.
The daylight increased slightly so they headed for the beach.
They headed for the water's edge.
It was 7-02am.
To the North, bang on time; the 7am club.
The club's dogs had flashing collars of differing colours.
They dashed and flashed from owners to the sea and back.
They had a slow walk to the south, waiting for some sort of appearance from the sun.
Beach Buoy stopped about half way along the beach to finish the coffee that he had brought.
The juxtaposition of the hot coffee and cool breeze was enjoyable.
The coffee seemed to lubricate Beach Buoy's creaking mechanism.
Mari the big friendly poodle from the 7 am club came bounding over to say hello.
They said hello.
They said goodbye.
Beach Buoy headed for the stack to wait for sunrise time.
A fellow beach-goer stood by the water's edge.
He was waiting too, with phone camera at the ready.
The sun appeared; albeit briefly.
It rose above the Gares like a large orange disc.
It's full circle then slipped into the clouds like a coin into an arcade machine.
They had a slow walk back with fine drizzle and seagulls for company.
Beach Buoy dug his cold wet hands into the pockets of his jeans.
Before leaving the beach, he glanced back to the south....
Someone had pulled the handle of the arcade machine
The Oranges had become Lemons; still a win.
They left the beach
It was still a damp morning.
BEACH BUOY.
