Beach Buoy reached the car park at 6-06 a.m.
He was alone.
Another Dog was too tired.
The lady who once fell off her bike was walking the Esplanade.
"Morning."
"Morning."
Beach Buoy headed to the beach.
It was grey, overcast and there was a chilly breeze from the north.
He collected five suitable stones.
He headed southwards.
Rain fell out at sea.
Team One Black Ear came from the north.
As usual, Milo arrived first.
The big friendly Labrador dropped a ball at Beach Buoy's feet.
Another Scooby-Doo one.
This time it was green and purple.
They walked and talked their way north.
Rocko the Pug and his jogging friend passed by.
"Morning."
"Morning."
Beach Buoy made his way to the low level route.
He found a red and white football.
He toe-ended it up towards the dune.
He wished that he could send it back in time to his younger self.
For those times he had to make do with footballs that were only just heavier than a balloon.
Woolworths used to sell them.
When you kicked it, the ball would swerve as if launched by a 1970's Brazilian footballer taking a free kick.
Unfortunately you would be wanting it to go in a straight line.
He climbed the small slope, up to Stubborn Dog Stack.
"Morning Mate."
It was 6-35.
He patted
THE
stone.
He added five more.
He had a sit and think, wondering if the rain would come to him or not?
On the beach below, the Beachcombing Border Collie Couple had been and were going,
going back to the north.
A single ray of light appeared in the gloom.
Not bright sunlight.
It was more of torchlight from a torch with fading batteries.
It's owner, peering into a dark cupboard in search of that half tin of paint that they had used on the staircase.
Drizzly rain came to help in the search.
"See you mate."
By the time that Beach Buoy had reached the water's edge.
The drizzle had fizzled to nothing.
The torch searched alone.
The man who once had four dogs passed by with three.
"Morning."
"Morning."
Beach Buoy carried on into the seasonal dog ban area.
That is where the Seaton Carew Wreck is situated.
The west.
North to the wreck site.
The wreck.
Dramatic clouds to the south.
Back to the Esplanade.
He chatted to Team Muzzled Dog for a while.
Beach Buoy's sign becoming faded like lost happy memories,
BEACH BUOY.
