Beach Buoy woke at 4-22 a.m.
Beach Buoy made coffee sharpened pencils.
It was just before 6 a.m. when they reached the beach car park.
They had passed a man walking two Husky, perhaps saving for a sled ?
The Golf Club Flag was hung at half-mast.
There was no wind, not even a breeze to unfurl it.
It just hung like some unidentified rag.
There was one car in the car park.
Down on the beach the Yellow Wellington Beachcombing Lady looked for finds down near the water's edge.
A Driftwood Christmas Tree stood on the strand-line looked like it was off to see what time the chip shop opened.
There was a distant mist in the bay.
"Sunrise."
was no more than a slice of pale orange.
It looked as if someone was peeking through a venitian blind to see what the neighbours were up to.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog opted to walk up near the strand-line, to allow the other beachcomber some space.
The 7 a.m. club were at the north end of the beach.
They and a couple of others were a fair way off.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog continued south.
There seemed be something up ahead?
It was a seal, resting.
They sometimes come ashore at high tide, only to wake to find the sea is a long way off.
The very very wet retriever appeared.
It danced with Beach Buoy and Another Dog.
It went within 5 or 6 metres of the seal.
The seal raised its head, gave a roar.
The very very wet dog ran off back to its owner.
There is always that dilemma as to what to do about the seal.
Rightly or wrongly Beach Buoy made the decision that it may be best to let it be.
It seemed lively enough when it needed to be so?
They carried on .
The Sea Serpent was on the surface, enjoying the milder start to the day.
The 7 a.m. club had chatted with the beachcomber.
They had now caught up.
They chatted.
Beach Buoy made a fuss of Mari the big friendly poodle.
STOCKTON ON TEES.
As Beach Buoy looked for suitable stack stones, he found some named Seaglass.
"Morning Mate."
Beach Buoy added some stones.
He patted
THE
Stone.
Beach Buoy sat on a bum shaped rock at the front of
Stubborn Dog Stack.
He drank coffee as he watched the Sea Serpent.
To the north, the 7 a.m. club were heading back.
The beachcomber was at the strand-line, checking on the seal.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog headed back to the beach.
"See you mate."
A Skylark.
The Sand Matins twisted and turned in the sky above.
Beach Buoy sat on a suitable tank trap.
The sun was warm.
Beach Buoy took off his hat.
He washed his face with both hands with an imaginary bar of sun soap.
Distant but vocal voices.
A group appeared from the north.
They all male group reached the tank traps.
Two of the men gave each other.
"Come here big guy " hugs.
Another took photographs of one the tank traps.
They all headed off as vocally as that had arrived.
Beach Buoy waited then took the deepest of breaths of sea air.
Time to head back.
One of the Tank Traps had fishing line tangled around it which then ran off towards the sea.
Beach Buoy untangled the line.
He wound up the line as he walked to the sea.
There was a recently caught, but dead flat fish on the line's hook.
Beach Buoy removed the hook and placed the dead fish in the water.
The ghost fishing was placed in a bag for beach cleaning.
They headed back to the north.
Seal tracks led from where the seal had been, down towards the sea.
The beachcomber had stayed with it.
Two dog walkers had gone over to show interest.
A different tide line discussion.
Talking about everything.
Talking about nothing.
Perfect.
Beach Buoy rested on the promenade wall.
A car pulled up.
A lady stepped out who may as well have been wearing a sign saying.
" Where's the seal."
"Looking for a seal ?"
"Yes."
Beach Buoy gave directions.
The lady headed off, it was around 8-30 a.m.
The lady had not gone to the parking meter.
Parking charges start at 9 a.m.
Beach Buoy went and purchased a ticket for the lady's car and one for the beachcomber's.
He wouldn't want them to be given a parking ticket should they be late in returning to their vehicles.
BEACH BUOY.
