The 7 a.m. news came on the radio as Beach Buoy and Another Dog pulled up on a dark and deserted car park.
Beach Buoy lit the coloured lights that ran the length of the windscreen.
He climbed into the rear seat with a radio, a van coffee and Another Dog.
Time of my life played after the news.
People walked the Promenade in darkness and reflective coats.
Hue and Cry came on the radio.
The Headland Lighthouse gave Beach Buoy a knowing wink from the northside of the bay.
The wind had blown itself out.
It was calm after a wild night.
How will l know came on the radio.
They set off at 7-25 a.m.
It was still dark but they would have to be back by 9 or have to pay for parking.
A WINTER SEA TAX !
Off out under a half moon there was only a slight breeze.
They headed for the beach; home.
Silhouettes of the 7 a.m. club were already heading back to the north.
They headed to the water's edge.
To the south a crack of daylight.
Out in the Bay it looked as if the clouds had been kicked by an angry young man.
Strong overnight wind had sculpted the sands.
Each stone seemed to have aerodynamically tested in its own wind tunnel.
They headed towards what daylight there was.
It brought to mind a dream that Beach Buoy had had the night before.
His time had come.
He was meant to follow the light.
It didn't show.
They came with distant torches, looking for him, to guide him.
He waved.
He shouted.
They could see him.
They left him behind.
He slept on.
He woke.
A half moon, a dune with a distant bird between.
Beach Buoy looked out to sea.
The Sea Serpent waved.
Beach Buoy waved back.
He really did.
They headed to Stubborn Dog Stack.
"Morning Mate."
It was BOB O'CLOCK.
8-08 a.m.
Beach Buoy added some stones.
He patted
THE
stone.
Beach Buoy pulled down three hoods.
Two Ducks flew out to sea... Not from his hood..
Dull daylight came.
Beach Buoy drank coffee.
Another Dog had a treat or two..
The tide was well in by now.
The beach still looked quiet.
A cloudy sky can be beautiful too.
Time to go.
"See you mate."
Back to the beach.
They began to return to the north.
Two Oyster Catchers flew north as a wave broke near to shore.
"Why are you always on the beach?"
"Why do you get up so early on your days off?"
"This is why." said Beach Buoy.
A man in a mustard coat went by with a Brown Spaniel that ran more like a Fox than a Spaniel.
A lady then passed in a mustard coat.
She too had a Brown Spaniel, it ran more like a Spaniel than a Fox.
A lady headed south with the unusual combination of a Border Collie and an Alsatian.
She was in Wellingtons and the North Sea.
They crossed the beach towards the car park.
The Sun showed up, fashionably late.
Another Dog played Queen of the Castle on the dune edge.
Beach Buoy walked the work / life balance as Another Dog looked on.
They returned to the van to the sound of silent applause.
Beach Buoy drank the last of the van coffee, it was still warm.
He watched the little people walk the promenade wall.
8-59 came.
A minute later the parking charges did.
Beach Buoy drove off.
Mr Gunn/ Nunn was on the promenade with his little dog Alfie.
"All the very best to you."said Mr.Gunn/ Nunn as the two men shared an evermore distant wave as Beach Buoy drove off.
The radio played
Need you now
By
Lady Antebellum
as the car park showed in the van's rear view mirror.
BEACH BUOY.
