2026.
Beach Buoy went to the beach alone.
It was 7-55 a.m.
The Sunderland supporter was just getting out of his car.
"Happy New Year!"
"Happy New Year."
They chatted briefly.
The man with the determined walking stick went by on The Esplanade.
"Morning, Happy New Year."
"Morning."
He headed to the beach.
There was a light breeze from the north east.
The tide was way out, the wreck was on show.
Beach Buoy collected five suitable stones.
A man was stood nearby with a small puppy.
Beach Buoy went over.
"Morning, Happy New Year."
"Morning, Happy New Year."
Beach Buoy made a fuss of the excited puppy.
"It's the first time that he's been on the beach."
"I'm so glad that l saw him on his first beach. What's his name?"
"Jack. I'm waiting for the sunrise. I came last year. l'm freezing."
Beach Buoy suggested having a walk around to generate some heat as the sunrise would still be a while.
Beach Buoy headed south.
Team One Black Ear were to the north.
Up ahead, the Beachcombing Border Collie Couple were back on the beach. heading north.
Cocoa and Ember walked the dune edge.
Beach Buoy walked the low level route.
A Crow hopped along the grey rocks alongside him.
8-13.
"Morning Mate."
Beach Buoy added the five suitable stones.
He patted
THE
stone.
He had a sit and think on a damp driftwood seat with an elevated view.
No Giant Pencil Crow today.
The Rock Hopping Crow had stayed just below on the Grey rocks.
Perhaps it was just watching and waiting?
Beach Buoy stood up.
A man with a Border Collie headed north along the water's edge as a Small Ship took aim for the river.
Team Muzzled Dog gave returned distant waves as they headed south.
No need to cut through the dunes today.
The tide was low.
Behind them, the man with no dog but sweets in pockets headed north too.
Laden with Midget Gems and Pineapple Chunks.
Beach Buoy was miles away in his head as he watched them head south.
"ALRIGHT!"
Beach Buoy almost jumped a foot high into the air.
A man with headphones on marched past Stubborn Dog Stack.
"Alright." replied Beach Buoy as he landed.
A couple and their dog walked the water's edge.
"See you mate."
Beach Buoy returned to the beach below.
The Sunderland supporter and his Black Dog headed back to the north.
Team One Black Ear were up ahead,
Before long they were all walking and talking together.
The Sunderland supported suggested reading
Catch 22.
He mentioned some of the characters names.
Beach Buoy is not well read.
Maybe his writing would be better if he were?
The number of books that he has honestly read cover to cover without skipping pages can be counting on the fingers of a black woollen finger-less glove.
It starts well...
"It all began early on a Summer's day blah blah blah
*Makes coffee*
Maybe he just doesn't have an imagination?
To be honest he doesn't care.
He is what he is and will be dead soon enough to make any difference.
The first beach of 2026 was filling up.
The morning sky looked grand.
The south of the beach was quieter.
Beach Buoy returned to The Esplanade.
The Sun shone over the dunes.
A photographer captured the wreck.
Lets see how the year goes...
BEACH BUOY.
