It was Sunday.
Beach Buoy wasn't sure just what day it was when he first woke.
He loaded the van with the following.
Two thermal cups of Coffee.
A Bag of Doughnuts.
Another Dog.
Beach Buoy.
They all headed for the beach.
They parked up at 6-42 a.m.
The red lights on top off the Wind Turbines seemed to flash as their spinning blades passed in the breeze.
Beach Buoy lit up the dashboard fairy lights.
Orange lights flashed on the Promenade as a council worker loaded the bin wagon with rubbish from the promenade's bins.
Beach Buoy climbed into the rear of the van.
Coffee ✅
Doughnut ✅
He faffed on with the van's LED strip lights.
He tried various colours but as usual he ended up with
Turquoise.
Another Dog was laid along the back of the seat; Stubborn Dog's spot.
If Beach Buoy didn't look and just reached back to stroke the dog, it would be possible to make believe that it was indeed Stubborn Dog laid there.
Of course, it wasn't fair on Stubborn Dog, Another Dog or even Beach Buoy.
A van pulled up behind Beach Buoy.
Just to the left.
The driver sat with engine running and headlights blazing on to the promenade.
Beach Buoy hates that.
A figure as dark as a shadow stepped into the light, heading North on the promenade.
The figure cast a shadow onto the Promenade Wall.
The scale was 1 to 1.
The figure and its shadow held hands and headed off together.
Another figure headed south, wearing a backpack.
His shadow wore a backpack too.
The Distant Wave Lady arrived and headed for the sea.
The headlight van left the car park.
Out in the bay, Beach Buoy could see the Sea Serpent Marker, flashing its red light; a constant flash.
Red can mean danger, but the Serpent is friendly enough.
A sunrise seeking family appeared on the Promenade.
Mother paused to put up the child's hood up, protection against a chilly breeze.
A man in shorts headed south with the bike-fall lady alongside.
Time to head for the beach.
It was always a little lighter outside than it looked from inside the van.
Maybe the tinted windows didn't help?
The sunrise-seeking family were up ahead.
They headed for the water's edge.
Beach Buoy looked towards the sunrise-seeking family; still just silhouettes.
The family showed each other illuminated screens as each tried to capture the scene.
Their Dog laid alongside.
The Dog seemed to be looking at the family almost asking,
"Did anyone remember the ball?"
A man walked dune heights with a light fixed to his head.
There was a strong breeze from the south west.
The tide was more in than it was out.
The sky to the south was dramatic.
Then...
The beach had been clear of Crabs yesterday, both dead or alive.
Today hundreds more, a few Lobsters too.
Beach Buoy looked for signs of life.
It was there in some, but only just.
He placed those he spotted back in the sea.
No rock pools around , which would have been a better option for the stricken creatures.
Later in the day the above photograph would be used on
The Northern Echo's website.
They headed south towards
Stubborn Dog Stack.
They paused before climbing the dune edge.
Back to the North he could see Mr Gunn / Nunn tending to the Crabs putting more live ones back into the sea.
Beach Buoy waited until Mr Gunn / Nunn had caught up on the beach.
They chatted about the tragic beach scene.
"Morning Mate."
he patted
THE
stone.
He added more.
It was 8-01 a.m.
"See you mate."
They headed back.
Gulls had found the crabs.
They feasted on them.
Another Dog looked pleased to stop the frenzy.
Beach Buoy spotted another Crab showing signs of
life.
He placed it into the sea.
Another feast for the Gulls.
