BIKE 31 OCT. 2021.

It had rained and rained again.

The appearance of the sun later in the day had tempted Beach Buoy to make use of the van's bike rack.

The fried egg pool.

Teesmouth.

It was just a short ride.

Off to hide.

Beach Buoy likes the hides.

The wind direction indicator, to the left, creaked in the strong wind.

 

Colour co-ordinated van snacks.

Beach Buoy had never had many of the noodle type snacks.

He bought a few to try as they seem quite popular with some van folk.

This one was OK.

It filled a gap.

BEACH BUOY.

HALLOWEEN 31 OCT 2021.

 Some days of celebration for some can be sad ones for others.

Christmas Day can be the saddest day of all.

Here is Stubborn Dog dressed as a Wizard for Halloween.

He was great at magic tricks.

BEACH BUOY.

SUNDAY 31 OCTOBER 2021.

The clocks had gone back...

Beach Buoy had stayed up until around 1-40 a.m.

He kidded himself that  it was only 12-40 a.m.

Sunrise would be 7-06, not 8-06.

So he thought that waking about 6 would leave plenty of time to catch the sunrise.

Fast Forward...

It was 4-30 a.m.

The kettle was filled and turned on.

He made two thermal cups of coffee.

He faffed on.

There were a couple of croissants left from yesterday, they were still good to go.

If they had been doughnuts it would have been a different matter. 

They would have turned to stone at midnight and would have made a good addition to Stubborn Dog Stack.

They reached the beach at 6-06 a.m.

It was still dark.

Beach Buoy changed the van's clock from

7-06

to

6-06

by means of a switch, not a flux capacitor.

He went to the promenade wall to photograph the scene.

It was 7 degrees outside and breezy.

He returned to the van.

He had a coffee and croissant.

He put the heater on.

He sat in the back with Another Dog.

There was only the small colourful lights lit in the van.

Steam rose from the thermal cup like a Genie from a bottle.

A council truck came flashing into the still dark car park .

It drove around, cleaning as it did so.

Beach Buoy had dug out an old coat.

It was bright orange, an old friend.

As he put it on he realised it was now a three dog coat.

He remembers sitting and thinking with his old mate Bonnie.

Beach Buoy, Another Dog and an Old Orange Coat headed for the sea.

It was 6-43 a.m.

The breeze was fresh, from the south west.

The tide was well out.

There were more Crows than Gulls on the beach.

Plenty of sea coal today.

The odds of a visible sunrise were good.

Mari the friendly poodle trotted over for a neck rub.

The 7 am club arrived and a chat ensued.

They headed off in opposite directions.

You could almost hear a pre-sunrise drumroll....

Sadly an arm of low cloud pushed in and hid that special moment.

The drum fell off it's stand and fell into the audience below.

They dodged a bouncing drum, picked up some beach stones before heading up to into the Dunes.

The beach was far from busy.

"Morning Mate."

he placed the stones that he had just collected onto 

the stack.

He patted 

THE

stone.

They watched the sea and looked at the sky.

"See you mate."

They headed down to the beach, before continuing south.

Snakes of dry sand snaked towards them in the strong breeze.

Cold fingers were stuffed into welcoming pockets.

The old mate of a coat was warm.

It reminded Beach Buoy of a song

 by Donovan

"I Love my Shirt."

They turned to head back.

The sky was becoming darker.

A red ship took aim at The Gares.

Beach Buoy pulled up an Orange hood.

They passed The Sea Serpent Marker.

Gulls continued their search for the creature.

Its not been seen since there was boat activity in the area.

Rumour had it a diver was sent down.

Some signage had appeared whilst they were on the beach...

 

Aw good.

Back to the van.

Coffee and croissant.

Only one find today.

BEACH BUOY.

SATURDAY 30 0CT 2021. SEATON SANDS, HARTLEPOOL. (AFTERNOON.)

Beach Buoy, Borrowed Dog and Another Dog reached the beach at 4-15 p.m.

It had rained and rained for much of the day.

The sun came out in the afternoon.

There was a wind from the south west.

There were very few clouds in the sky, it was all rained out.

They headed south on a beach with a 50/50 tide; half in, half out.... ish.

The soft had gone in the previous days strong winds.

The harder sand left behind was pop marked by today's heavy rainfall.

The beach was wide enough to give those on the beach their own space, should they want it of course.

Two ladies and their Brown Dog headed North.

Beach Buoy was almost in Auto-Pilot mode.

They headed for Stubborn Dog Stack.

 

Beach Buoy added seven more beach stones.

"Afternoon Mate."

He patted 

THE

 stone.

Beach Buoy looked around at the dunes.

The Marram Grass looked like a sea of  God and Green as wind ran through ran through it,  footloose and fancy free.

"See you mate."

They headed back to the beach, then North.

 

Up ahead a photographer walked near the water's edge.

Every now and then he would pause, place his tripod into the sand to capture a scene that'd caught his eye or imagination.

They headed back.

BEACH BUOY.

SATURDAY , 30 OCT 2021. SEATON SANDS, HARTLEPOOL. (MORNING.)

Beach Buoy and Another Dog reached the beach

 at 6-38 a.m.

There was only one vehicle in the car park, a HGV that had stayed overnight by the looks?

As they drove in, the van's bright headlights picked out the regimented white lines of the parking bays.

Beach Buoy had taken two thermal mugs of coffee and a bag of croissants.

Beach Buoy had one of the said croissants with a coffee.

He took out the white DAB radio he bought to go with van at the very start of the van owning journey.

The  colourful dashboard fairy lights and the LED strip strip lights were lit.

It was still as dark as night.

Beach Buoy looked across to the red lights of the wind turbines.

He could see the light seem to flash as the blades passed.

He worked out from the timings of the flashes that they rotating at 15 rpm.

So not as windy as yesterday.

The bare legs of a short-wearing man headed south along the promenade in the darkness.

The rest of him followed.

7 a.m. came.

A car came.

"Most probably the Distant Wave Lady?" thought Beach Buoy.

He didn't check.

The radio played.

"Perhaps you're having a Croissant. " said the Radio Tees presenter.

Beach Buoy replied via Twitter

"Yes, while waiting for it to become light enough for the beach."

7-22 a.m. they headed for the beach.

It was still a bit short of half light.

A couple with two Border Collies headed North.

Beach Buoy and Another Dog headed South.

The tide was more out than in.

The 15 rpm wind was from the south west.

A couple with a White Dog walked parallel with Beach Buoy, but the were closer to the water's edge.

They did half a beach and returned to the north.

The greyness of the early morning light was brightened by two colourful joggers heading south.

By 7-55 a.m. they had reached 

Stubborn Dog Stack.

"Morning Mate."

he added stones.

He patted

THE

stone.

The first crack of Pale Orange had began to appear in the now bluer sky.

He stood scanning the sea.

The two colourful joggers headed back to the North.

He return to the stack.

He placed his hand on 

THE

stone and thought a thought.

"See you mate."

They headed down to the beach and started to make their way to North Gare Pier.

Mr Nunn / Gunn and his dog caught up.

They chatted as they walked.

Mr Gunn / Nunn and his dog carried on , heading for that extra beach beyond the Pier.

Beach Buoy and another Dog headed back to the van, northwards.

 A Lone Oyster Catcher flew overhead, whistling like a referee as he did so.

Two Cormorants flew an almost identical flightpath, as if chasing the ref, like two footballers wanting to argue about that disallowed goal.

Gulls were at the Sea Serpent Marker, looking like a search party.

He hasn't been seen since the boat had been spotted in that area.

Rumour is a diver went down.

Perhaps the Sea Serpent has moved on?

Beach Buoy hopes not.

BEACH BUOY.

SEATON SANDS, FRIDAY, 29 0CT 2021.

Beach  Buoy and Another Dog reached the 

Beach car park at 3-49 p.m.

Beach Buoy paid a pound to park again, third time in a week, unheard of!

To be honest, he was half expecting the bank to ring to report unusual activity on his account. 

There was a strong wind blowing from the south west.

Gulls stood facing the wind in the windswept car park, struggling to keep their balance.

They all looked like ski jumpers, theirs wings like arms tucked to the side. 

Eddie the Seagull one and all.

Beach Buoy parked the van.

He looked across the bay towards the Wind Turbines.

They were spinning quickly.

Beach Buoy thought...

"Slower than seven inch single." 45 r.p.m.

"Faster than an L.P." 33 1/3 r.p.m.

He timed them; 20 r.p.m.

His guess was miles out!

Maybe it was the size or number of blades that confused him?

He opened the side door of the van.

He put on a coat before putting his beach bag over his shoulder.

He put a lead on Another Dog, then locked the van before heading out to towards the beach.

It was almost 4 p.m. by now.

The mobile covid test unit was just leaving.

A wooly hat famiy beat them to the beach access ramp.

They headed  down ahead with a young Yorkshire Terrier pup on tow.

Beach Buoy and Another Dog headed for the sea.

The wind was wild from the west; the wild west.

Soft sand was blown out to sea.

It travelled in wind-made roads.

Another Dog was carried over these roads to save her from the wind-blown sand.

The tide was well out.

The waves were breaking only two or three steps out but any that raised their head were slapped down but the strong wind.

The strong wind had made sure that it was a quiet beach.

Some would say 

"You're welcome to it."

Beach Buoy would reply

"Thank you."

They headed up towards the dune edge.

Its height offered some protection from the wind.

The lowering sun cast long sunshine shadows along the width of the beach.

They continued southwards.

The beach ahead was theirs.

Back to the North, the wooly hat family were just dots in the distance.

Beach Buoy and Another Dog wandered down to a recent strand line.

An Oyster Catcher chose to run from them as opposed to flying and possibly struggling in the strong wind.

Beach Buoy gathered double stones for 

Stubborn Dog Stack,

he hadn't been on the beach last night.

They headed for the stack.

He placed the double quantity, then he patted

THE

stone.

"Evening Mate."

A dog called Molly. popped out of the Marram Gras to say hello, then was gone.

Beach Buoy walked a couple of steps to the dune edge.

They may have been up in the dunes, their shadows sent a message.

"Am on Beach."

The wind was calmer now, even when stood up at the exposed stack.

"See you mate."

Spurred on by a calmer wind they headed to North Gare Corner.

Up on the Grey Rocks lay some ghost fishing gear.

Far too heavy for Beach Buoy to attempt to move it.  

They reached North Gare Pier.

It was then that Beach Buoy recalled how, when here, Stubborn Dog would always want to go over the Pier to another beach; North Gare Beach aka The Blue Lagoon. 

Even after almost being dragged along the sands, he always seemed to want to go to that other, extra, special and extra special beach.

Beach Buoy never did figure out why?

The parking fees end soon.

No need to keep an eye on the time for 9 a.m.

So soon Another Dog will discover the delights of that extra  beach.

Hopefully she will like it too?

 They turned to head back towards the north.

It was still bright. 

Four People and a Dog clambered over The Grey Rocks, heading for that extra beach too.

Soon Another Dog, soon....

The wind seemed to have almost stopped?

They continued north.

When he drew level with Stubborn Dog Stack, Beach Buoy paused and waved.

He held one hand above his eyes to shield them from the bright sunshine, just in case....

Just incase Stubborn Dog was there, waving back.

Not today.

Not yet.

As they headed back, they met a couple and a young friendly dog called, Harrison.

As soon as Beach Buoy heard the Dog's name, all that he could think was

Beatles?

Star Wars?

Beatles?

Star Wars?

he plumped for

Star Wars, hoping that he wasn't being judgemental?

BEACH BUOY.

SEATON SANDS, HARTLEPOOL. 27 OCT 2021.

Beach Buoy, Borrowed Dog and Another Dog headed for the beach.

They  arrived at 4-04 pm.

It was a Wednesday afternoon.

Beach Buoy paid to park.

It was mild but windy.

They set off down the beach access ramp under an overcast sky.

The few families that were on the beach seemed to be leaving at the same time.

The tide was well out.

Beach Buoy chose a line mid-way between the strand line and the water's edge and headed south upon it

The blustery wind that blew across the dunes carried very random drops of moisture .

Every now and then a spot would hit you on the cheek.

Not so many Crabs tonight.

Twists of seaweed captured wind blown sand.

Any dry soft sand had headed for the sea, leaving the beach almost crunchy underfoot.

The sea was wind-rippled but not rough, it did what seas do.

To the south, the fields around Saltburn shone in bright sunlight.

The beach ahead was theirs.

They drifted towards the dune edge.

Beach Buoy collected beach stones as they went.

They headed up to

Stubborn Dog Stack.

"Afternoon Mate."

Beach Buoy added the stones and patted

THE

stone.

The two dogs sniffed around.

Beach Buoy watched as a Small Red Ship which was almost a Boat, headed silently in between The Gares.

In contrast, an unseen Helicopter thudded out into the bay.

Beach Buoy looked to the East, across the dunes.

The sun was partially hidden but it rays spread out, like spotlights on a stage show.

Time to go.

"See you mate."

"Love you."

They climbed down the steep dune edge.

Once back on the beach, Beach Buoy waved to the stack as he does.

The wind blown Marram Grass waved back on Stubborn Dog's behalf.

They headed off, leaving Stubborn Dog once more.

They crossed shingle patches as they headed back.

No finds to write about today.

A passenger jet flew inland.

It whistled like a very large and very powerful kettle on the boil.

A bald man walked south, barefoot, shoes in hand with feet in the sea, head in the clouds..

The sun showed up.

Beach Buoy's long, late sun shadow tried to reach the sea too.

A group of three people with two dogs headed south.

A white Dog.

A black Dog.

In contrast to their monochrome  pets, the people wore the brightest of coats.

One Red.

One Yellow.

One Blue.

They passed the hedgehog dunes as they left the beach.

 They reached the van.

It had been an hour.

BEACH BUOY.

26 OCT 2021. SEATON SANDS, HARTLEPOOL,

It was a Tuesday afternoon when Beach Buoy, Borrowed Dog and Another Dog arrived at the beach.

It was 3-48 pm

Beach Buoy had drove down in the van.

He paid one full english pound to park!

The parking charges stop at the end of the month, restarting back up in April. 

They had passed the Golf Club.

The Club's flag flew at a third of its height.

It flapped in the strong breeze.

There was a lot of space on the beach thankfully.

The tide was just about more out than it was in.

It was blowy but mild.

A lady and her Dog had just beaten them to the beach access ramp as they had headed for the sands.

They kept their lead advantage as they searched the strand line.

Not many Crabs tonight thankfully.

There was lots of large pieces of coal.

Now... If Beach Buoy had 

THAT

Beach Shack, then he would have picked it all up and kept it as stock.

They headed up to 

Stubborn Dog Stack.

"Afternoon Mate."

he added three stones before patting 

THE

stone.

Beach Buoy watched the sea.

It was calm.

The surface rippled slightly in the westerly wind.

There wasn't any dramatic waves, just a last minute slap of sea on sand as the two old friends met once more.

"See you mate."

The three headed back to the beach.

 It was bright.

Soon it would be night.

BEACH BUOY.