Sunday Morning.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog arrived at the Beach Car Park at 6-13.
It was surprisingly warm.
A light breeze blew from the south.
They headed to the access ramp.
An elderly man passed by on The Esplanade.
He had a flat cap and a blood red face.
"Morning."
"Morning."
The lady who once fell off her bike and her friend passed by too.
"Morning."
"Morning."
"Morning."
As they reached the beach, Beach Buoy noticed that the Sauna Tent had been set up to the north.
Sauna and sea swim on the cards for some.
A couple and their two dogs stood at the water's edge with their dogs.
It looked like they were waiting for the sunrise?
Two Gulls stood as if waiting too.
The sunrise was at 6-23 but was claimed by low cloud.
It appeared not too long afterwards.
There was some heat in the early morning sun.
They headed southwards.
Beach Buoy collected five suitable stones.
Team One Black Ear were to the north.
They would catch up soon enough.
The tide was as far out as the Seaton Carew wreck.
It may sound strange to mention that the air smelt of sea?
Not of drying seaweed, of everyday fresh air and not of the chemical smell that can sometimes drift in from some nearby industries.
Today was different.
Just the sea.
It was glorious.
Team Muzzled dog went by.
"Morning."
"Morning."
"Early today?" noted Beach Buoy.
"Great North Run." the reason and answer.
The Beachcombing Border Collie Couple headed back to the Village.
As expected, Team One Black Ear caught up.
Unusually Hugo, a Romanian Rescue Dog was first to arrive.
Beach Buoy made a fuss of the lovely Dog.
Milo, the borrowed dog had dropped his ball.
He picked it up before dropping it again.
This time at Beach Buoy's feet.
The dog owners walked and talked their way south.
Beach Buoy threw the bright yellow ball for Milo to chase.
Once at the start of the grey rocks, Beach Buoy and Another Dog headed off to the low route.
7 a.m.
"Morning Mate."
Beach Buoy added the five suitable stones.
He patted
THE
stone.
He had a sit and think.
The man who once had four dogs, but now has three passed by on the beach below.
He and his dogs didn't notice that Beach Buoy and Another Dog were up at the stack.
Beach Buoy stood.
"See you mate."
They carefully crossed the grey rocks, onto the beach, then south.
Beach Buoy dug his hands into his pockets.
He talked to the warm wind as if it were his soulmate.
A lone figure stood at the end of North Gare Pier.
Perhaps he was telling a Wind Turbine his troubles?
They listen more than some people do, more reliable too.
At the start of the Pier, a Cyclist dismounted.
He stared into the bay.
A Survey Boat bobbed about near to the Sea Serpent Marker before heading into the river.
They headed back.
Mr.Gunn/Lunn and his excellent dog Alfie came from the north.
They chatted.
Mr. Gunn/Lunn was off on a two week adventure.
Beach Buoy wished him well.
They went their seperate ways.
One to Canada, the other to the van.
A lady walked the water's edge with two dogs more poodle than doodle.
A man stood looking at the wreck.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog walked to the low wall at the south end of the Esplanade.
A different route, as a man and his large and possibly unpredictable dog were sat at the access ramp.
On the Esplande, the man with the tricycle had just sat on the southernmost bench.
Beach Buoy struck up a conversation.
They had a lovely chat.
The man shared the story of his stroke.
Beach Buoy won't share it all here.
He had lost everything, speech, movement and memories.
It had been years now.
Slowly improving but each day a fight.
Once well enough he had tried his two-wheeled bike.
He fell to the left and then to the right,
The tricycle was the answer.
It was lovely to chat.
Beach Buoy returned to the van.
The litter pick lady came over.
She informed Beach Buoy that she was giving up with the beach toys.
Someone had smashed up the box that leaves beach-found toys in for others to use.
She takes found items home, washes them repairs buckets with found handles before returning them to the beach.
The attitude of some people had sickened her too.
It was a shame but Beach Buoy understood.
Beach Buoy had a coffee and a doughnut in the van, well two actually.
BEACH BUOY.