It was 6-30 p.m. when Beach Buoy and Another Dog reached the car park.
Shortly afterwards they were on the beach.
Someone had placed a marker at the bottom of the beach access ramp.
By the time they returned it had been taken down and broken into three pieces.
Some people.....
They headed for the sea.
It was very warm and muggy.
Beach Buoy was down to jeans, t-shirt and just one hoodie.
That almost passes for swim wear in Beach Buoy world.
The breeze off the sea was absolutely gorgeous.
Beach Buoy almost gulped the cool fresh air.
A group of teenagers played
pass the frisbee close to the dune edge.
Emoji type waves broke out in the bay, three to four steps out.
The tide itself was around 25% out.
The sky had a misty mugginess about it
The sun seemed to be trying to break through.
A couple sat on a driftwood bench as they watched their child play in ankle deep sea water.
A couple up ahead, tried to pick their way barefoot, through stones and shingle.
They decided to walk alongside the dune edge.
The edge had collapsed, leaving a soft sandy pathway to walk.
They headed north, walking in and out of the water's edge as they progressed.
Beach Buoy picked up three large, wet stones.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog climbed up the sandy slope to the top of the dunes.
There was a noticeable change in temperature. The normally, more exposed dunes had held the heat and mugginess.
It was similar to stepping off an air-conditioned aeroplane in a hot country.
They approached Stubborn Dog Stack.
Beach Buoy added the stones.
He patted
THE
stone.
He paused.....
He was dreading this visit in a way.
It had been a year since Stubborn Dog had died.
"Evening Mate."
Tears.
He sat on a stack stone.
He had a drink of coffee.
They stayed half an hour or so.
As Beach Buoy sipped the warm coffee he wished and wished he could turn around and see his old mate sat there.
Another Dog was being on her best behaviour.
She sat and watched the sea.
Beach Buoy thought about Stubborn Dog and loss in general.
How we sail on like ships and we have lost a man overboard.
The ship goes on relentlessly.
Even if Beach Buoy turned the ship around and headed back, Stubborn Dog was always going to be a year away...
Time to go.
"See you mate, love you "
They returned to the beach.
Up ahead it looked like a large bird in the sky.
It was a man with a wind surf kite.
Every now and then he was lifted off the ground.
In control.
They went and parked opposite the village green.
Some of the colourful houses around the village green.
Beach Buoy raised a glass of non alcoholic beer in memory of his mate.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog stayed until it became dark.
Watching the promenade walkers, watching the sea.
Coloured lights were lit.
Nods were nodded.
BEACH BUOY.
