SEATON SANDS HARTLEPOOL, 15, MAY, 2023.

 

As Beach Buoy readied to go the short journey to the beach, he could see rain falling to the west.

A turn to the east showed a sunny sky over the bay.

He stood on the driveway, beside the van as he looked up to see which way the clouds were drifting.

Going nowhere fast seemed to be the answer.

They set off, reaching the beach a few minutes later at 6-12 p.m.

The car park had a summer feel about it.

Half a dozen older teenagers stood on the promenade.

The talked and laughed loudly, as old teenagers tend to do.

The Little Tern Warden chatted to a passer-by in a lower volume setting.

People in shorts and T-shirts must have thought it strange that Beach Buoy was putting on a large waterproof coat?

They headed down the beach access ramp.

Just a minute into their beach walk, the rain came, wrapped with a bow.

A rainbow.

It arced across the bay.

Wet spots fell on to sun-dried sand.

It didn't last long, the rain and rainbow faded.

The beach was in bright sunlight.

A slight breeze blew from the sea.

The tide was way out.

They stayed at the water's edge as they headed south.

The south end of the beach was deserted.

They reached timbers of a wreck.

It's not the more well known and documented wreck.

The timbers are visible only at very low tides.

They began to head to the sandy slope.

The slope that gives access to Stubborn Dog Stack.

A very short walk to the south.

There it is.

"Evening Mate."

Beach Buoy added some stones.

He patted

THE

stone.

Beach Buoy sat on a larger stack stone.

Skylarks had piped them aboard of they sometimes do.

 

A family of four had travelled south also.

The youngsters climb the grey rocks down below the stack as mam and dad walked on.

"Mam me foots stuck!"

"Mam me foots stuck!"

"Mam me foots stuck!"

"Alright!"

"Alright!"

The foot stuck family headed back to the village.

The beach was bright but rain fell to the north.

"See you mate."

They returned to the beach.

A large heart had been drawn Stubborn Dog Stack.

They began a slow walk back.

Up ahead rainfall hung like a theatrical back drop.

Rain entered stage left, leaves stage right.

A couple walked the water's edge with two barking German Shepherds.

Dottie Dog approached.

Her mam followed.

A friend from Edinburgh was introduced.

They chatted.

They looked at the rainfall to north, discussing the chances of a soaking.

They went their separate ways.

Beach Buoy was thankful that they were heading to the van.

Beach Buoy sat in the van a while.

Horses were being readied for the beach.

A man struggled up the access ramp with a piece of driftwood that was taller than he was.

He rested the wood against the bench at the top of the access while he caught his breath and had a cigarette...

His wife waited 

She went to a small hatchback car. She opened the rear.

The man grappled with the driftwood but managed to place it in the small vehicle.

"Why did you put it in that way? " asked the wife.

The man had no answer.

He grappled once more.

"Don't point it to my head, l won't be able to f**king drive!"

The man had no answer.

He grappled once more.

Beach Buoy presumed that it would be pointing to the man's head as the drive home.

The couple and the driftwood set off.

Rain came.

Beach Buoy and Another Dog set off too.

BEACH BUOY.