SEATON SANDS, HARTLEPOOL. 28 JULY 2021.

Beach Buoy reached the beach at 6 a.m.

The sunrise had been hidden by cloud but no need to worry 

as Beach Buoy is known locally as Seaton's own ray of Sunshine.... not.

The moon looked down from above the dunes.

It reminded Beach Buoy of a character from Eastenders; Arfa Moon.

It was partially hidden by cloud too.

A man and dog had reached the beach just before Beach Buoy.

They were soon well along the beach, to the south.

It had rain heavily overnight.

The non-tidal part of the beach was pop marked  with heavy raindrops.

Beach Buoy crossed over beyond the strand line.

Smoother sand waiting for foot and paw prints to tell their story.

The tide was more in than it was out.

Three Tugs waited to guide a ship into the River Tees.

It wasn't long before the man and dog were heading back towards the north and Beach Buoy too.

Beach Buoy realised it was the very very wet dog from Yesterday.

The dog took aim at Beach Buoy and ran at full speed.

The very friendly and very very wet dog was welcomed with open arms.

"Sorry"

"It's OK nothing wrong with having a friendly dog."

They went their separate ways as Sand Martins swooped around.

Terns travelled up and down the water's edge all sounding like a rusty garden gate in need of oil.

   

Beach Buoy gathered up three stones from the beach before heading up to the dunes.

"Morning Mate."

He placed the beach stones and patted 

THE

stone.

He stood near his mate as Gulls swam above the Sea Serpent.

He watched the Terns too.

He sat on the dune edge, just in front of Stubborn Dog Stack,

He made some beach notes in his colourful beach book as he sipped coffee and took tablets.

He watched the Little Terns drop into the sea, just a metre or so from shore.

"See you later mate."

Beach Buoy waved at Stubborn Dog Stack as he began to head back.

The beach was quiet, but then again it was still early.

The in-coming sea began to fill the lows in the beach surface.

Beach Buoy found a small fish.

It may have just been stunned by the waves hitting the beach.

He returned it to the sea,  just in case.

A lone Kayaker headed south, scattering Gulls as he did so.

The Kayak was pea-green in colour.

Beach Buoy was half expecting an owl and a pussy cat sharing the rowing duties.

A man passed by, heading south.

His shorts were the same shade of grey as his hair.

"Morning."

"Morning."

He placed some finds on the Promenade Wall to photograph them.

A man walked south with his two dogs.

"Morning." said Beach Buoy.

"Good Morning ." replied the well-spoken gent.

Beach Buoy felt as though he had been corrected.

One of the finds was later possibly identified as being of the 

Level Bridge, across the Tyne.

Later it was over to Hartlepool Headland.

 

Beach Buoy.

SEATON SANDS, HARTLEPOOL. 27 JULY 2021.

Beach Buoy reached the carpark at 6-18 a.m.

The lady who goes around the parking meters, checking the coin return trays for returned coins had completed her rounds.

A two strong 7 a.m. club passed on the promenade as Beach Buoy stepped out of the van.

"Morning."

"Morning."

It was odd seeing Mari the Poodle on a lead.

She was such a free spirit on the beach.

Beach Buoy was still stuck in third gear, walking-wise.

The  (Early.) 7a.m. club were already at the water's edge, chatting to another beach-goer.

The group still chatted as Beach Buoy approached the sea.

The other beach-goer had a very very wet, very very friendly dog.

Beach Buoy found this to be the case as the dog in question came bounding over in search of a neck scratch.

Beach Buoy reached the water's edge at 6-29, with 

very very wet  and sandy hands .

High tide was at 6-33.

There wasn't a breath of wind.

The Wind Turbines stood as if unemployed.

The tide had turned leaving smoother sand to walk on.

He continued south.

The going was becoming easier.

It was still early.

There wasn't many people about.

He did have a camera-shy Seal for company. 

It was just offshore also travelling south, oddly at about the same speed that Beach Buoy was.

Beach Buoy charted its progress each time that it popped up for air or a look about.

Beach Buoy collected six stones for 

Stubborn Dog Stack.

The Dune grass looked different, taller, more dense around 

Stubborn Dog Stack.

It was as if he hadn't been at the stack for a long time.

Beach Buoy though it must just be today's milky light that was giving the area a different feel.

He placed the beach stones before patting 

THE 

stone.

"Morning Mate."

Beach Buoy was glad of the stack.

He admired the excellent view.

Nearby Dandelions were going to seed.

"See you later Mate..."

Beach Buoy headed back.

Terns fell into the sea like failed paper aeroplanes.

Beach Buoy recalled how his Father would make excellent paper aeroplanes from Littlewood's Pools Coupons.

The copy coupon made a perfect tail section.

As the walk was coming to an end, two Oyster Catchers flew North above the water's edge.

They looked a little like silhouettes  with the milky backdrop behind them.

Their shape, with a slight hump behind the head looked as if each had a tiny pilot sat in the cockpit at the controls.....

 BEACH BUOY.

MONDAY 26 JULY 2021. SEATON SANDS.

Beach Buoy was parked up in the beach car park before 5 a.m.

The kettle was on.

He had parked with the back of the van facing the sea, so it made sense that the tailgate was up.

There wasn't a great view from the back of the van, thanks to the mist that was drifting out in the bay.

An early morning man and his early morning dog, headed down the access ramp to the beach just before Beach Buoy.

The Wind Turbines seemed to have disappeared?

The Headland was reduced to just looking like a long grey arm, stretching out to sea, perhaps in search of Dolphins?

Beach Buoy reached the water's edge.

It was a short walk, thanks to the height of the tide.

The beach to the north didn't look too busy.

Beach Buoy turned once more, continuing South.

The mist claimed the view and muffled the sound of the sea.

He continued south,

A man appeared from the misty south, before passing and heading to the misty north.

Beach Buoy still wasn't walking at full speed after being ill.

 So it was no surprise to see the man and dog who had beaten him down the access ramp were already heading back.

"Morning." said Beach Buoy.

"Like me eh? can't sleep?" came the reply.

"Yeah."

A short while later Beach Buoy was at Stubborn Dog Stack, stones in hand.

He placed the four stones onto the stack, filling any suitable gaps.

"Morning Mate."

Beach Buoy patted 

THE 

stone.

Beach Buoy's eyes filled up, yes again!

This was the first real maker that he could come and mourn at.

Mother and Father were just scattered by others in the Cemetery.

This was a fitting place for Stubborn Dog to be. 

Ashes so close, but a universe away.

Beach Buoy wiped the moisture from his eyes and placed a wet fingerprint on 

THE 

 dry stone.

A large man walked south, on the strand line, below the stack.

His two labradors; one black the other brown, were spooked by the sight of a lone Beach Buoy up in the dunes.

Shortly afterwards it was time for

"See you later Mate."

Beach Buoy stepped down onto the beach, waving at the stack as he headed off to the north once more.

He brushed back his hair with his hand.

His hair was damp, thanks to misty water droplets. 

The tide had headed out a fair bit now, giving a wider and more comfortable walk back.

The mist had become thicker.

You could see a hand in front of your face, it was just a matter of double-checking whose hand?

He headed back to the van.

He made a fresh coffee.

A middle-aged man sat in a Black BMW, he seemed to be looking at the promenade wall?

A younger man sat in a Black Mercedes, looking at his phone.

A man dressed in camouflage clothing headed south on a bicycle ...

Or maybe the bicycle was riding itself?

Two grey-haired men crossed the car park, corner to corner on foot.

They were almost identical in appearance.

The young man in the Black Mercedes, started the engine, before driving around the car park at speed.

He went to the south end of the car park.

He parked up at stared at his mobile phone once more.

Four young ladies walked with determination, heading to the south end of the promenade.

People usually go to the end of the promenade wall and touch it before returning to the north.

They cut their walk a couple of hundred metres short.

Beach Buoy wondered if the young man in the Black Mercedes was the reason?

The sun broke through the mist.

Beach Buoy headed to the Promenade Wall to take a photograph.

 

A one man 7 a.m. club headed south down on the water's edge.

Mari the Poodle and her little white side-kick walked alongside.

BEACH BUOY.

 

SUNDAY 25 JULY 2021. SEATON SANDS.

Beach Buoy had gone to bed after 1 a.m.

He woke at 3-33 a.m... that was it.

He fought pillows for a while but lost.

4-50 a.m. he was parked up in the beach car park, kettle on , ready to make and drink a hot coffee.

There was couple down by the promenade wall, coffee cups in hand.

Sunrise seekers?

Not today, the overcast sky would see to that.

Beach Buoy had opened up the tailgate, giving a better sea view as he drank his coffee.

He had parked up with the rear of the van facing the sea, so he rotated the passenger seat 180 degrees. 

It was a mild morning with a wind blowing off the sea.

At 5-05 a.m. the couple returned, disappointedly to their car.

The sun did briefly show, slightly later.

There was a narrow gap in the cloud just above the horizon.

A narrow strip of blood orange glow appeared like a nosey neighbour peeking through some venetian blinds.  

Feet hit sand at 5-15 a.m.

The north was quiet.

Beach Buoy headed south.

It was almost high tide.

 The strand line was a work in progress.

Beach Buoy, a Crow and a Gull walked the water's edge.

It was an overcast but lovely morning.

Two Terns dropped in tandem into the sea.

Beach Buoy gathered some stones for Stubborn Dog Stack.

He went up the gentle sloped area to reach the stack.

Out of nowhere the distant lady's dog appeared in search of a neck scratch.

A neck scratch later he was gone.

The distant wave lady was off in the distance, already heading back.

"Morning Mate."

It was 5-50 a.m.

Beach Buoy placed the stones onto the stack.

He patted 

THE 

stone. 

Beach Buoy watched as more Terns took turns to drop like stones into the sea.

Beach Buoy thought...

If Terns are diving for little fish, are big fish there, chasing the little fish and..... if so are the Dolphins chasing the bigger ones?

A camera-shy seal popped up, working its way south.

Maybe no Dolphins after all?

A request came through on social media from Australia, asking if Beach Buoy could place a stone on Stubborn Dog Stack for them.

Beach Buoy went back down to the beach.

He found a suitable stone and returned to the stack to place it in a suitable gap.

Beach Buoy looked north.

He was about to head back.........

but..........

....... Dolphin!

He stayed at the stack until the Dolphin activity had finished.

"See you later mate."

Beach Buoy waved to the stack as he left.

The receding tide left  a wider strip to walk as he headed back to the van.

A three strong, 7 a.m. club approached.

Mari the Poodle came running over.

"Take her home with you." said one of the three.

"She'll have nowt to do with me." he added.

They went their separate ways.

Beach Buoy had only walked a couple of steps, when a sea alley came into view.

It was a gorgeous colour.

 

He had found a few other bits and bobs including part of a vintage

OXO

mug.

It would have had 

INSTIST ON

OXO

written on it.

He went back to the van, made a fresh coffee.

The other regular cast members turned up on cue.

They all remembered their lines.

BEACH BUOY.

SEATON SANDS BEACH AND A CYCLE RIDE TO MIDDLETON 24, JULY 2021.

It was after 1a.m. when Beach Buoy went to bed.

It was before 5 a.m. when he took he pre-tablet tablet.

It was before 6 a.m. when he was sat in the van, at the beach, drinking coffee, taking his tablets.

A young man walked up the access ramp with a large camera with counter-balance attached, before heading to a small car.

At 6-07 a.m. Beach Buoy locked up the van and headed to the sea and sand.

A couple with two Border Collies left the beach, near to the dunes and headed to their car.

It was mild enough for shorts to be worn, but there was a breeze running in off the sea.

It was a little overcast.

The tide was more in than it was out.

As he had headed down the beach to the ramp, Three Little Terns flew overhead.

It looked like Mam, Dad and Lad on a training flight.

Equal numbers of Gulls and Crows walked the strand line as Beach Buoy headed south.

He scanned the sea once more in search of Dolphins.

None were spotted today.

Beach Buoy walked along with his hands behind his back like an old man.

A man with two dogs overtook him as they walked the strand line.

One of the dogs, a Yorkshire Terrier would dig a hole at every opportunity.

Three Little Terns flew overhead once more, twisting and turning as they did so.

For some reason the sea seemed to smell of double sea this morning?

The man with the digging dog disappeared into the dunes.

It was 6-37 a.m.

Beach Buoy sipped water as he watched the rippled sea and a sky punctured by rays of light by a sun breaking through breaks in the cloud cover.

Beach Buoy rested on the MM driftwood bench.

A helpful tide had moved it along towards Stubborn Dog Stack.

Just 150 metres to go, then a drag up the dune edge and it would be in place!

He headed for Stubborn Dog Stack.

The most special place in the world,

 for 

Beach Buoy 

at least.

He placed three stones on the stack before patting 

THE 

stone.

Beach Buoy had bit of an emotional break down.

Full blown grief.

It had been odd, being unwell.

Today he felt quite comfortable pain-wise, maybe the grief sensed it was ok to return today?

He let the loss wash over him like a sea.

It wasn't just the loss of his constant companion.

It was the loss of a future, an era ended, plans not to see the light of day.

Just as he was leaving, Three Little Terns flew over the stack.

"See you later mate."

as he headed off 

He did do a 

"Here Boy !" dog whistle as he reached the strand line,

 just incase.

Enough sunlight had broken through to highlight the sea front houses.

Whereas to the south, the Cleveland Hills looked Slate Grey.

The man with the digging dog was heading form the north again!

He must had gone back via the sand dunes then plumped for the beach once more?

Someone had lost a paddle or maybe had a very very large tub of ice-cream?

Showing his age and mobility at the moment,

 Beach Buoy thought

"That would make a good walking stick with a beach theme."

He had visions of cutting it to length, but upon further inspection he noticed that it was two piece item

He disconnected the two parts.

The paddle end was heading for the bin.

The other piece would go in the van for walking stack emergencies.

As it happened it was now the perfect height.

Beach Buoy headed to the van.

Some lads finished a car park football game.

They climbed into a white car and started to drive off.

The car braked suddenly and the windows all came down.

The occupants were all joining in with the song playing on the car's radio

SWEET CAROLINE.

One lad climbed  out, opened the car's boot (Trunk)

and stepped inside.

Another lad shut the boot and they were off across the car park at full voice.

Beach Buoy made a fresh coffee and even managed to nod off for half an hour or so.

The Hungry Seagull and the Mobile Covid Test Centre were both setting up.

8-59 a.m.

Time to go.

He went back to base to collect his bile, before heading along the promenade to Middleton.

 

Middleton Pier.

and.........

Yes thats the bridge he went underneath, in on a boat with his Dad at the helm, many many, many years ago.

A day to remember a day to recall....

Here are some lines remembering a different fishing trip.

When they rowed out to sea.

WE'VE ALL GONE FISHING.

ITS A DAY TO REMEMBER,
A DAY TO RECALL,
THE DAY WE WENT FISHING,
AND WE HAD A BALL,
THE LAMPLIGHTER'S CREW LEFT NO SIGN ON THE DOOR,
WE'VE ALL GONE FISHING

THERE WAS ME AND MY FATHER,
AND HIS BROTHER TOO,
THE SEA WAS SO CALM,
AND THE SKY WAS SO BLUE,
WE ROWED OUT TO LONGSCAR,'BOUT HALF MILE FROM SHORE.
WE'VE ALL GONE FISHING.

A BOAT FULL OF FISH,
A FACE FULL OF JOY,
A TIME THAT WILL STAY,
WITH A MAN FROM A BOY,
A STORY TO PASS FROM FATHER TO CHILD,
WE'VE ALL GONE FISHING.

MY FATHER AND UNCLE,
HAVE BOTH GONE TO SEA,
ONE DAY I WILL JOIN THEM,
IF THEY'VE SPACE FOR ME,
THE CREW ALL TOGETHER AND WEATHER SO MILD,
SO WE'LL ALL GO FISHING. 

BEACH BUOY.

FRIDAY 23 JULY, SEATON SANDS, THE PROMENADE AND HARTLEPOOL MARINA.

Beach Buoy arrived at the car park at 6-15 a.m.

The tide was well out.

It was slightly overcast.

There was no breeze.

The Wind Turbines looked as if they were playing a game of Statues and the music had just stopped.

Beach Buoy started a slow walk to the south.

A somewhat depleted 7 a.m. club were up ahead.

As he walked, he scanned the surface of the sea, in the hope of spotting a dolphin or two.

Rays of sunlight shone through breaks in the cloud, like searchlights assisting in the search.

The early and depleted 7 a.m. club came along.

Mari the Big Friendly Poodle came bounding over from the dune edge as her owner litter-picked the strand line.

Beach Buoy gave the Dog a good neck rub as he asked

"Have you been up to see Stubborn Dog?"

Beach Buoy headed up to Stubborn Dog Stack.

"Morning Mate."

he placed three stones onto the stack 

before eating 

THE 

stone.

He went to the nearby dune edge, calling Stubborn Dog to follow as he did so.

"They" sat as Beach Buoy drank coffee and took tablets.

Some of the Wind Turbines; the ones to the south, began to turn.

The others joined in slowly as the breeze and the word spread like a game of Chinese Whispers.

"Turn the blades slowly"

ending up as 

"Fern shades lowly."

Eventually they all danced to the same tune, as one.

The view to the south from the dune edge, just in front of Stubborn Dog Stack.

Suddenly, a fair way out; Dolphins!

Beach Buoy watched as they worked their way north across the Bay.

He gave up trying to photograph them, 

choosing to just enjoy the view.

Then they were gone.....

It had been lovely, just Beach Buoy, Stubborn Dog and the Dolphins.

It was as if everyone knew not to walk by on the beach, not a soul in sight.

By the time Beach Buoy had said

"See you later Mate." 

before heading to the water's edge, it was lights, camera and action.

People and Dogs seemed to appear from nowhere.

The Sea Serpent appeared too, an easier subject to catch with the camera.

The tide came in as Joggers jogged.

Beach Buoy wandered down towards 

The Seaton Carew Wreck.

Plenty of timbers on show today.

Sometimes the sand claims it back as its own.

There is an information board on the Promenade.

The wreck is situated straight out to sea from the board's position.

Beach Buoy headed back to van.

A new sticker had arrived for the van.

Coffee and Muffin in the van.

Beach Buoy headed to base camp and headed out on his bike to the Marina.

Marina Monkey.

Beach Buoy headed back along the promenade towards Seaton Carew.

The North end of the beach was quiet.

 The beach to the north was beginning to fill up as the morning went on.

BEACH BUOY.