Beach Buoy and Another Dog set off on foot at 7-07 a.m.
Beach Buoy had been awake since 4-03 a.m.
There has been a hard frost overnight as there had been for a good few nights.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog headed down Elizabeth Way.
Up ahead, on the opposite side of the road were two ladies, each had a Labrador.
The ladies crossed over the road with their dogs before pausing.
"Morning."
"Morning."
"Morning."
One of the ladies explained their wait.
"These will just want to play." as she pointed to the dogs.
As they passed the group Another Dog went up on her back legs and barked a protective bark.
"That's like me first thing on a morning." one of the ladies said to her companion.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog reached the beach at 7-27 a m.
The non-tidal sand was once again frozen solid.
They headed down to The Seaton Carew Wreck.
Beach Buoy took a photograph then headed back up to the strand-line so as not to disturb the Gulls that were stood by the water's edge.
There was a slight but biting breeze from the south west.
Beach Buoy had three hoods from the outset.
In the half light, two friendly dogs appeared.
One white, the other black.
Their owner, a lady heading south close to the dune edge carried on with her walk.
Something spooked a large flock of Gulls.
They took flight.
Beach Buoy looked North
The Beachcombing Border Collie Couple were searching the shingle as they headed south as their dog ran back and forth.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog continued on their way south.
Beach Buoy had his gloved hands dug deep into his coat pockets.
Near water's edge, seven Gulls chased another for a scrap of food as a more refined group of eleven Oyster Catchers flew north as one.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog headed for the Sandy Slope as the sound of the noisy Pilot boat travelled across the Bay in the cold thin morning air.
It was exactly 8 a.m. when they reached Stubborn Dog Stack.
Beach Buoy added three cold stones he patted
THE
stone.
He kept his hand on a while, in the lost hope that some heat would reach his old companion.
"Morning Mate."
Beach Buoy gave Another Dog an ear rub and a dog treat before taking a welcome sip of hot coffee.
He watched as a colourful sky faded to grey.
"See you mate."
They returned to the beach.
Seven large birds flew overhead, heading south.
The Beachcombing Border Collie Couple were already dots in the distance to the north.
Beach Buoy glanced up to the dunes.
Someone was bent down looking at the stones at Stubborn Dog Stack.
A lady in a mustard coat came along, heading south.
Her friendly small brown Spaniel came I've to say hello.
"Morning."
"Morning."
Beach Buoy felt a little warmer heading back.
The chilly breeze was on his back.
Three hoods helped.
A lady crossed from the water's edge to the strand-line.
She wore a long coat and a pointy hat.
She headed south as her dogs ran free.
Hugo and his mate the Pug came running over.
They were later than usual.
Their owners, the distant wave lady and her mam waved... from a distance.
"Morning!"
"Morning."
Beach Buoy and Another Dog headed into the village for a wander around.
They headed back to base camp.
BEACH BUOY.
