Beach Buoy's head had hit the pillow around 1 a.m.
by 3-45 a.m. he was a member of the wide-awake-club.
He convinced himself that it was
'Almost four o'clock.'
... that didn't sound as bad as 'Three something.'
Beach Buoy drank Coffee and twiddled his thumbs.
Then he realised that he was actually really twiddling his thumbs, so stopped.
5-20 am arrived.
'Would have been getting up for work now anyway.'
thought Beach Buoy.
It was 6-45 a.m. as they prepared to head for the beach.
Beach Buoy knew that it was very cold.
Double Socks.
Double Hoodie.
Double Gloves.
Three layers for Stubborn Dog.
The drive and pavement were frozen.
They set off.
They reached the Car Park at 6-59 a.m.
Beach Buoy put on an inner hood, so now it was four hoods up, before setting off into the icy wind from the south, of all places.
The tide was more in than out but still a decent way out.
They headed for the water's edge.
The scene to the north looked bleak.
The south on the other hand had a hint of a sunrise with a heatless sun.
Some regulars were already heading back from the south.
In no time at all Beach Buoy was being greeted by Mari; the big friendly poodle.
The usually reserved dog (According to its owner.) had taken a shine to Beach Buoy and the neck scratches he provides.
She trotted over, wagging her tail as she did so.
Beach Buoy always welcomed her with open arms, today was no different.
Neck scratch complete successfully, the large dog trotted off contently.
A couple of sunrise seekers headed south ahead of Beach Buoy and Stubborn Dog.
Beach Buoy had checked the sunrise time for Hartlepool; 7-30 a.m.
The sunrise seekers stood on the beach, looking in the sunrise's direction.
Beach Buoy noticed that the sun would be rising to the left of Saltburn.
It would be the first time this year that the sun would be rising over the sea as opposed to the hills, as it had been all winter.
As the mornings become lighter earlier, the moment of sunrise will travel north and be out in the Bay itself, in time.
The sunrise couple needed to gain height to capture 'That' moment but chose instead, to just lean against the dune edge and just see what they saw from a lower view.
Beach ART.
Well... Beach Buoy's vantage point from the stack would have been perfect for the sunrise if it hadn't have been for the low cloud.
He had stacked the stack, took a few photographs.
He was making notes in his beach book when 'Twang!' Stubborn Dog's lead went tight and the little dog was off to chase something, possibly a Rabbit?
They continued South, through the dunes that still had random patches of snow.
The sun broke free of the low cloud.
A rare sight!
Stubborn Dog leads the way in
'Catch the rabbit mode."
Maybe Beach Buoy should have been doing their walks on a Greyhound track all of this time?
There was no heat in the rising sun but it lifted the spirits massively.
Beach Buoy and Stubborn Dog headed South to see what the River was up to.
They were welcomed to North Gare Beach by an even stronger blast from the icy cold wind.
The dunes and Pier had been doing an excellent job of taking the edge off the blast.
It was so cold.
Beach Buoy reckoned it was the coldest beach walk for years.
That last time, he had tried to shelter behind a sign on the Pier, ending up with very very very very very cold legs, as the sign stopped at waist height, failing to provide any protection to his lower half.
They turned to head back.
Normally when Beach Buoy descends the steep dune walkways and tracks, he digs his heels into the sand , making steps as he walked.
Not today!
The sand was frozen solid, even his weight made no mark and they both went scampering down the steep slope.
It felt like Rabbit Run 2.
( For your pies only.)
Beach Buoy and Stubborn Dog made it back down onto Seaton Sands.
They had tried crossing the grey rocks and the rock pools that encompassed them, but it was too precarious.
So they found a way back that was paved with shingle.
There was always a chance of a beach find as well as the added benefit of an easier and safer route.
Beach Buoy thought he had found a
Pewter Beaker , but it turned out to be two grey stones laid together , causing the confusion.
Beach Buoy named them Mick and Keith.
They left the Sun behind them and headed north with the added benefit of the fact that the wind on their backs too.
The north had a much cooler looking selection of colours on offer.
They headed towards the water's edge to take photographs of the wet reflecting sands.
The beaches local to Seaton Carew aren't know for quicksand but Beach Buoy was sinking a little every now and then as he took photographs.
Nothing dangerous, just a little unusual.
Despite the intense cold, Stubborn Dog seemed to have enjoyed his walk today; chasing rabbits helped.
He was trying the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed look today.
The wind off the dunes, reminded Beach Buoy of a song he wrote way back when.
When he thought three chords were enough.
THINKING THINGS THROUGH.
A Song written
by
Beach Buoy.
Christmas Eve 1995.
The Cold wind whistled
I couldn't name the tune,
The sand was blowing
from the highest dune,
My footsteps washed
by the incoming tide,
Covered my tracks
like I had something to hide.
But I'm just thinking things through.
The road was empty
at a quarter past three,
Like the world's asleep
that's everyone but me,
The radio show
must be pre-recorded,
But its not what
the Doctor ordered.
But I'm just thinking things through.
This railroad takes me
somewhere I've never been,
I go past places
that I had never seen,
It wont be long
I will return,
So little time
so much to learn.
But I'm just thinking things through.
Time to defrost in the van before heading off.
A council truck drove around offering illuminated advice on staying in
Maybe it should have just read;
IT IS BALTC!
BEACH BUOY.
