Wednesday.
It was early.
Unusually, Beach Buoy didn't make note of the time.
He could guess.
Say 6-43 a.m.?
He didn't really matter that much.
He has forever now.
He hadn't rushed down.
A coffee and a toasted teacake had already been consumed.
In the car park, two overnight H.G.V. cabs were side by side.
Their windows down, the drivers chatted as they looked out to sea.
Beach Buoy was faffing at the side door of the van.
Team One Black Ear passed by, heading for the beach
"Morning."
"Morning."
Finally Beach Buoy and Another Dog headed to the southernmost access ramp.
A man and his Spaniel were leaving the beach behind.
"Morning."
"Morning."
The tide was well in.
There was a breeze from the west.
Someone had built a tiny pebble stack.
Beach Buoy placed his beach notebook nearby for reference.
Along the water's edge.
Team One Black Ear were way up ahead.
It was a milky morning.
A lady with a Lassie type dog walked the water's edge.
Beach Buoy gathered five suitable stones.
The Lassie Dog ran into the sea.
"That'll take some drying."
thought Beach Buoy.
The sea washed ashore gently.
They headed to Stubborn Dog Stack.
Team One Black Ear were already at their chosen seat.
They chatted a while.
Another Dog was first up the small sandy slope that leads to Stubborn Dog Stack.
Beach Buoy checked to the north.
"Morning Mate."
It was 7-14.
Beach Buoy added five suitable stones.
He patted
THE
stone.
He sat on the driftwood plank with plenty of rust.
Skylarks were singing.
Sand Martins were out over the water's edge.
The man who once had four dogs came up the small slope with three.
"Morning."
"Morning."
"Just two today."
"Oh bless."
An early morning Yacht headed out of Hartlepool.
Beach Buoy had a sit and think.
Out in the bay a Hartlepool fishing boat checked their pots.
The Yacht didn't just frolick in the bay .
It was heading off to the south.
Beach Buoy stood to go.
"See you mate."
They returned to the beach via the low level route.
Team Muzzled Dog were heading south along the route.
They had a lovely chat.
Muzzled Dog had it's muzzle took off so she could drink water from cupped hands.
She's a gentle dog.
Back on the beach.
A Seal popped up just beyond the water's edge.
It dived.
A surge of ripple showed that it was heading out towards the river mouth.
Instead of leaving the beach via the southernmost access ramp, Beach Buoy walked further north.
Tomorrow the Dog ban comes in to effect on that particular part of the beach.
So last time until the end of September.
The two H.G.V. drivers were still sat chatting.
A row of Crows.
Sweet Treats.
A lost coat.
Now found.
Place on the sand out of your shoes bench.
It is at the top of the southernmost beach access ramp.
BEACH BUOY