Beach Buoy and Another Dog set off for the beach under the gaze of a C Moon.
He hoped that the day wouldn't turn out to be L7.
They drove to the beach car park.
The headlights of the van illuminated the reflective strips a promenade cyclist was wearing, as part of his high visibility workman-type coat.
The cyclist resembled a cycling road safety sign.
A Bakery delivery lorry was parked up, waiting for the shop to open.
Beach Buoy had brought a freshly toasted teacake and a thermal mug of coffee.
He ate.
He drank.
He waited for a little more light.
The silhouette of a man passed by in the not quite half light.
Beach Buoy reckoned that he knew who it was by the distinctive walk.
Although the light or lack of it, meant that Beach Buoy couldn't tell if headphones were involved or not at this stage.
More silhouettes were down by the water's edge.
He had spotted the distant wave lady's car.
He presumed the silhouettes were that of her and the early 7 a.m. club?
A ship slipped out of the river under the cover of partial darkness.
The ship was keener to leave than the night seemed to be?
The ship had a long line of lights illuminating its length.
It could easily have been mistaken for a broken section of Pier, that had been sent to sea after a storm.
As he ate his butter-soaked toasted teacake, he could see that low cloud had claimed any chance of a free range egg yoke of a sunrise appearing over the horizon.
It would be a hidden one once more.
The hot coffee was going down well.
Like oil , lubricating a rusting, ageing engine.
By the time breakfast was done the light had increased.
The " Section of Pier." had cleared the bay's wind turbines and was out in open water, heading northwards.
The recent silhouette with recognisable walk passed by on another lap.
We can now confirm headphones were spotted.
Beach Buoy was readying to set off.
The distant wave lady was already returning to her car.
She gave a not too distant wave in the direction of the van.
Beach Buoy gave a not too distant wave back.
Then she was gone.
They set off on their own clockwork route and routine, like many of the others out at this this time of day, at this type of location.
A cyclist had stopped alongside the waiting Bakery Lorry.
He and the driver chatted loudly, their voices drifted across the car park and out to sea.
They reached beach.
There was a fresh breeze from the south west.
Beach Buoy had opted for no coat but had gone double T-shirt for the first time in a long time.
There was a glow to the south as if someone had left a furnace door open, albeit a furnace hidden behind a curtain of cloud.
To the north the Seaton Carew Wreck sat in pool of its own making.
Gulls were dotted along the water's edge .
Clockwork Crows pecked at the strand-line, as they do.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog headed south, as they do.
The sunrise's light show peaked for a minute or two.
A red glow before a visage-like, fade to grey.
The 7 a.m. club passed at distance
"Morning."
Beach Buoy said as he waved.
"Morning Paul."
came the reply
as did a return wave multiplied by three.
Mari the Big Friendly Poodle came over to say hello.
She doesn't stay as long now that Another Dog has turned up.
Stubborn Dog was a boy.
Another Dog is a girl.
The large poodle seems slightly put out by this?
Beach Buoy collected beach stones as they headed for
Stubborn Dog Stack.
Paw prints ran to greet them.
"Morning Mate."
He placed the beach stones.
He patted
THE
stone.
Things dictated that they couldn't stay long this morning.
No sit and think time.
No time for Another Dog to practise dog lead knots around Beach Buoy's ageing legs.
"See you mate."
Beach Buoy waved from the beach.
They began a not so slow walk back.
Crossing sea coal, sands and even some shingle in a few small random spots.
A dusting of the sea coal marked the most recent strand line.
Three Crows landed to join three others.
More were up ahead,
another seven to be precise.
How many crows make a murder Beach Buoy wondered?
They headed to the van.
The excellent Mr Gunn / Nunn was just setting off on his beach walk.
"Morning."
"Hello Fluffy." answered Mr Gunn / Nunn.
Beach Buoy had to presume that he was talking to Another Dog?
Or perhaps it was Beach Buoy's turn to pull out the clipboard?
They chatted.
They Left.
A man and dog leaving as another pair arrived, like some beach relay team.
Time to go.
Stuff to do.
BEACH BUOY.
