Beach Buoy had left work around 3.
It was 4-06 when he and Another Dog set off on foot and paw for the local beach.
The recent strong winds had dropped and the temperature seemed to have risen slightly.
Today, the two-third mast golf club flag, hung like a wet towel on a poor drying day.
It was 4-21 p.m.
8-59 B.S.T.
(Bus Station Time.)
They had reached the beach
Pavement had become sand.
On the vast beach, a slight breeze was allowed to blow.
It came from the North.
It had a slight chill.
The tide was well out.
It was overcast.
A couple with a small dog were to the south.
To the north, a man with an attitude-looking walk and a driftwood stick, headed for the beach access ramp.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog headed south along the strand-line.
A Dead Guillemot had been washed up.
It laid, as if looking out to sea.
A dog-less man crossed shingle alone.
He suddenly turned 180 degrees at a random spot on the beach, heading back north.
Perhaps he had just realised that he had left the dog at home?
A small red ship had left the river.
It added colour and contrast to a grey north sea.
Up near the dune edge, a tall thin man with a tall thin greyhound headed back towards the car park.
Murphy, the big friendly Spanish Water Dog came running over
He was more interested in Another Dog than Beach Buoy.
The Timid Border Collie appeared.
He was more interested in Beach Buoy than Another Dog.
It seemed like since Beach Buoy had rang the Collie's owners when it had looked lost, that the Dog considered Beach Buoy to be a friend.
Before the phone call, the Timid Dog had always kept its distance.
Murphy's owner came over.
"Alright Bud."
"Hiya."
They had chatted before.
They chatted again.
They tried to go their separate ways but Murphy was keen to stay with Another Dog.
Eventually he was put on the lead and taken north.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog headed to Stubborn Dog Stack.
It was 4-57.
"Afternoon Mate."
Beach Buoy added some stones.
He patted
THE
stone.
They watched the beach a while.
The small dog couple headed towards North Gare Pier, hand in hand.
"See you mate."
They returned to the beach.
They began a slow walk back to the north.
The sea edged out into the bay, trading places with rainfall that had began to come ashore as it headed inland.
BEACH BUOY.
