SEATON SANDS, HARTLEPOOL, 10 NOV 2021. A DAY OFF.

Beach Buoy placed Another Dog onto the van's passenger seat.

It prompted him to recall when he would do the same with Stubborn Dog.

Without fail the stubborn little dog would move across to the drivers seat.

There always followed a 

"Will you move?"

as Beach Buoy would try to claim the driver's seat as his own.

It was 6-15 a.m.

The time that Beach  Buoy would be heading for work.

On Monday and Tuesday mornings, as he had set off for work with a hint of a glow in the sky, Beach Buoy would think to himself.

"Hope it is like this on Wednesday."

It wasn't like  "This." on Wednesday, it was just dark.

Mild, not a breath of wind but just dark.

After an embarrassingly short van drive, they were at the beach.

The van's headlights had picked out the two cars that were already in the car park.

Mr. Nunn / Gunn's and the man with the very very wet but very very friendly Labrador.

During previous discussions with the two gentlemen , Beach Buoy took it that both walked their dogs on the beach before going to work.

Beach Buoy would have to be up at very daft o'clock to be able to let Another Dog have a pre work beach walk.

To be honest if Beach Buoy went to the beach before work, he would most probably never reach work.

Beach Buoy drank a coffee as Another Dog napped nearby.

Lights on ships gave a hint as to their shape and size out in the dark bay.

A long low line of lights left the River Tees.

In comparison another ship that looked like a block of flats, full of people with no electricity bill worries glowed, just sitting to the north.

They readied themselves to go.

A figure passed by.

It was the headphone man doing his circuits of the car park.

Shadow-like Gulls passed overhead.

A parcel of Referee Oyster Catchers tested their whistles before kick off.

And... yes Beach Buoy did check

It is a Parcel of Oyster Catchers; first class.

Not to be confused with a box of frogs. 

(As mad as)

They headed for the beach.

Beach Buoy was well aware that the very very wet and very very friendly Labrador was still out there somewhere.

About twenty five steps into the beach walk and that "Somewhere." was right next to Beach Buoy.

The soaked but happy Labrador dropped its bright yellow ball near to beach Buoy's feet.

"Hello."

Beach Buoy went to stroke the dog just as it shook itself from nose to tail.

It was fine and funny.

"Morning."

"Morning."

The 7 am club were already back at the north end of the beach.

Beach Buoy and Another Dog began to head south.

A large piece of driftwood had appeared.

It looked as heavy as iron?

A calm grey sea edged in under a cloudy grey sky.

Up ahead two dogs were sat in the sea as they waited for the ball to be thrown.

They must have heard of the wettest dog on the beach competition and were only too happy to be taking part.

You can't get much wetter if you had tried.

The sea is nearly all wet when all said and done.

They headed for 

 Stubborn Dog Stack.

"Morning Mate."

He added to his mate's stack.

He patted 

THE

 stone.

They stood.

A fly hovered nearby.

It was mild.

Had anyone told the fly that it is only 45 days to Christmas?

"Bet it hasn't even made a start on the family presents."

 thought Beach Buoy.

Another Dog stood up on two back legs.

Beach Buoy scooped up his new mate.

Another Dog made use of the carry to begin to wash her two front paws, just as Stubborn Dog would do.

A jogger headed south.

Birds sang over the dunes as if it was spring.

If only.

The village looked gorgeous.

The jogger that had headed south was now heading back to the north.

Time to go.

"See you mate."

They returned to the beach.

Plenty of shingle patches on the northward journey.

A couple passed by with a white dog.

They held hands as they headed briskly to the south.

It looked like they were running late for a meeting.

Beach Buoy and Another Dog headed  a bit more north than usual, leaving the beach by steps not ramp.

Flags.

 

Basically any bench in the North East.....

BEACH BUOY.