Beach Buoy had gone to bed at 1-30 a.m.
Putting the clicks back to 12-30 as he did so.
He woke at 5-05 a.m.
Beach Buoy made a coffee and did some drawing.
Passing the time.
Waiting for daylight.
Beach Buoy checked the time of the sunrise.
Hartlepool; 7-03 a.m.
They set off, reaching the beach car park at
6-28 a.m.
The Vauxhall Corsa Van man and his Border Collie were already out on the promenade.
A cyclist crossed the car park diagonally.
He cycled along the promenade passing Beach Buoy and Another Dog as he did so.
"Morning."
"Morning."
The air was still and mild.
The beach looked like planished cooper, foot and paw prints the hammer marks.
Early morning silhouettes walked the strand-line.
Beach Buoy reckoned that the 7 a.m. club were to the north, he could see Mari's tail wagging as she walk along.
The tide was high, the sea calm.
Gulls screeched overhead.
They headed south.
The beach ahead was theirs.
The sea was a silvery light blue.
The Sea Serpent rolled out in the bay.
The Polar Bear Retriever caught them up.
Beach Buoy waited to chat to its owner.
Chocolate Pudding's owner was there too.
Chocolate Pudding had gone.
😟
The three discussed losing dogs.
The pain.
They chatted a while before going their separate ways.
A pre-sunrise glow coloured the ba's sea and sky.
Beyond the Sea Serpent, a ship turned to head for the river.
Tugs waited at the river mouth.
A photographer crunched near the grey rocks.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog headed to Stubborn Dog Stack.
The couple with a muzzled dog and a Border Collie passed southwards on the beach below.
Beach Buoy added some stones.
He patted
THE
stone.
"Morning Mate."
The sun has still to rise
Clouds to the south were gilt edged, like invitation cards to a perfect day.
Beach watched as Nine Oyster Catchers whistled their way across the bay.
A man with a Labrador and a big hat headed north on the beach below the stack.
From The Sea Serpent to Stubborn Dog Stack.
Some beautiful birdsong too.
The photographer headed north.
Back to the village.
"See you mate."
Beach Buoy and Another Dog headed back down to the beach
A lone bird crossed the sky.
Beach Buoy leaned against the steep dune edge.
He drank coffee from his thermal mug.
A second photographer passed by.
They shared a nod, a wave and a "Morning." as he passed.
The beach combing Border Collie Couple passed, heading south.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog headed back north.
Beach Buoy finished the coffee in the van as the little people walked the promenade wall.
BEACH BUOY.
