Beach Buoy woke and rose at 3-20 a.m.
He and Another Dog reached the beach car park at 6-18 a.m.
The man who wears headphones whilst constantly walking the perimeter of the car park, constantly walked the car park perimeter with headphones attached.
Beach Buoy stood at the open side-door of the van.
He took deep breaths of the chilly morning air.
In contrast Another Dog gave the chilly air a sniff from her bed on the back seat of the van.
She was wedged between two cushions.
Once she had sniffed the cold air she seemed to bury herself lower into her nest.
As if to say,
"I'm good, off you go."
It was chilly enough for a coat.
The chill was thanks to a mainly clear blue sky.
In fact the only place there was cloud, was right where the sunrise was about to show, along the horizon.
There was a coat hanging on the back of the vacant passenger seat.
Beach Buoy put it on.
He even put a hat on, but seconds later had second thoughts and off it came.
Autumn can wait.
Beach Buoy placed a harness and lead on a reluctant Another Dog once he had peeled her from her slumber.
They set off for the access ramp.
A man and dog were there, nearby on the Promenade.
Beach Buoy had never seen him before.
"Morning."
"Morning."
It wasn't Beach Buoy who raised the subject, but pretty soon they were talking about grief.
The grief of losing your dog.
The man was dressed in a camouflage jacket with two reflective, remembrance-type poppies hanging from the front.
He had a Rottweiler Pup on a lead.
He told how he had lost his dog to cancer.
How he had always had a dog.
How he lasted 61 weeks, before giving in and getting this pup.
How he was going for dog-less walks, just looking down to the ground.
Just walking.
Not
"Going for a walk."
How, if this dog lived as long as the last, he would be 80.
Beach Buoy shared his story of losing Stubborn Dog.
They agreed it was a terrible thing to happen.
They said their Goodbyes.
The man headed along the promenade to the north.
Beach Buoy south, to the access ramp and the sandy beach beyond.
Odd how two complete strangers can open their hearts like that.
Odd but nice.
They reached the
"499"
THUD!
driftwood.
It was as big as a man.
Well as big as the man who was top and tailing it along the beach the other night.
They passed more driftwood.
Beach Buoy's mind turned how many broken things end up on the beach.
Some looking better for being broken and worn.
Broken trees
become driftwood.
Broken plates
become sea pottery.
Broken Bottles
become sea glass.
Broken people
become.... well maybe they are the exception to the rule?
There was this man.
Stood in the sea.
Not swimming.
Just stood, seemingly letting the waves hit him.
The waves were as big as a piece of driftwood someone might try to top and tail along the beach.....
He was in waist deep, giving a slight jump as each wave rolled in.
Beach Buoy was reminded of the Peter Kay Hobnob story.
"Dip me!"
"Dip me again."
Beach Buoy hoped the man felt better for the refreshing encounter with the sea?
Mari the Big Friendly Poodle came over for her neck rub.
She was playful with Another Dog, even though she was five times the height.
Beach Buoy chatted to the (Early) 7 a.m, club briefly .
They headed off in opposite directions
The actual moment of sunrise was claimed by low cloud.
It did show, turning up about the time Beach Buoy and Another Dog reached
Stubborn Dog Stack.
Beach Buoy had beach stones in his hand and tears in his eyes.
Probably due to the earlier promenade encounter and the train of thought it sent out along the tracks.
"Morning Mate."
he placed the stones
and patted
THE
stone.
Another Dog clambered onto the stack, before sitting and staring at Beach Buoy.
"What are you like?"
They set off .
"See you mate."
There would be no sit and think today.
He had thought all of the way to the stack!
They continued south once they had returned to the beach.
One tank trap looked like a grizzly bear, to Beach Buoy at least.
From now on, it is the Grizzly Bear Rock.
There wasn't many Bits and Bobs today.
They headed North as others, two men together but alone walked south.
There is a massive slope on the beach at present.
The photograph gives a clue to the slope and to maybe why,
The Seaton Carew Wreck is so exposed at the moment?
They continued south.
Mr Gunn / Nunn strode along the strand-line with a companion that Beach Buoy didn't recognise.
They each had a Dog.
More people and dogs headed south.
Beach Buoy had timed it well.
BEACH BUOY.
