Beach Buoy woke.
He wondered what time it was.
Even with blinds and curtains closed he could sense that it was going to be grey out there.
He tumbled some thoughts.
6?
5?
5-30?
5-14?
He was happy with his final choice.
He reached for his mobile phone for confirmation.
5-14.
He went downstairs and made a coffee to go.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog reached the beach at 5-49 a m.
The temptation is to rush off, particularly if the access ramp is free and the beach quiet.
The beach looked empty, as did the access ramp.
Nevertheless, Beach Buoy thought that it would be a good idea to just wait five minutes or so and enjoy his coffee.
It has rained overnight.
Beach Buoy had checked the forecast for the beach walk.
"10 percent chance of precipitation."
From the van he could see a grey sky and a low tide.
Coffee drank, they headed for the beach.
A warm south westerly breeze blew strongly across the promenade, drying up the rainfall from earlier.
He walked towards the access ramp.
A Magpie came speeding over the promenade wall with a dozen or so Little Terns in hot pursuit.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog headed for the sea.
Rain headed for them.
Spots then drops then rain.
Beach Buoy hadn't put a coat on; two reasons....
Firstly it was a 90 percent chance it wouldn't be required.
Secondly, it maybe an age thing?
Beach Buoy would take a good week to cool down properly after the intense heat, a few days previously.
Another Dog doesn't "do" wet very well.
They started to head back to the van.
Cars travelled the promenade, headlights on.
It was overcast to say the least.
The rain eased.
It headed out to sea, blown by the strong breeze.
Maybe they should have waited half an hour or so in the van, with the coffee?
Beach Buoy had a change of heart.
They headed back towards the sea.
They were damp, but were already drying in the heat of the breeze.
The 7 a.m. club approached from the south.
"Morning."
"Morning."
They chatted.
The rain hadn't gone as far as the south end of the beach.
So Mari, the big friendly poodle was as dry as a bone for her neck rub.
They had seen a fox near to North Gare Pier.
They went their separate ways.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog were up near the strand-line.
A lady with two small dogs walked the water's edge.
They continued along as far as Stubborn Dog Stack.
"Morning Mate."
It was 6-47 a.m.
He added the stones, three in total.
He patted
THE
stone.
He looked to the south west, facing the warm breeze
The Cleveland Hills were all different shades of grey.
Roseberry Topping was the lightest shade of grey.
"See you mate."
They headed back to the beach.
Blue sky and white clouds were gradually replacing the grey.
Out near the Sea Serpent, white clouds swirled like a globe.
They checked in on the Sand Martins at Sand Martin Corner.
It was 7-07 a.m.
The sun burst through briefly.
Sunshine shadows appeared
"Morning."
"Morning."
Invisible Little Terns squeaked like tiny tinmen in need of oil.
Gulls air-surfed breaking waves as they headed south.
They had a slow walk back
Sea swimmers were up ahead having a pre-swim walk.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog drifted like shifting sands up towards the dunes.
Hugo came bounding over from the distant water's edge.
A distant wave lady waved.
Beach Buoy returned the wave.
After a neck scratch, the big mediterranean rescue dog headed back to the sea.
Beach Buoy took out a beach-found tennis ball, rolling it for Hugo to have.
Beach Buoy laid a few recent bits and bobs, photographing them before leaving for others to find.
BEACH BUOY.
