21 AUG 2018. SEATON SANDS

Beach Buoy and Stubborn Dog arrived on the Beach at 7 p.m.
The tide was out and the Sun was Glowing.

There was a warm slight breeze and family groups were spaced along the Beach doing family on the Beach things.

It was a lovely Evening.


Beach Buoy had noticed a far off group, over twenty people in a line. He wondered if Sammy the Seal was down near the Gare again and had drawn an audience?

The twenty or so went by.
The all looked like Pug owners?
Many of the stocky little Dogs were dispersed  amongst the group.

Beach Buoy sat and had a think down near the Gare amongst the World War Two defences.
As well as a sit and think he had
a look around.
Suddenly he realised he wasn't the only one.
There was sitting and thinking going on up on the Dune edge behind him, to his right on the Pier and to his left on the grey (Pinch Point ) rocks.
He guessed it was just a sit and think type of night.
He had a slow walk back.
Sammy the Seal was down by the water's edge with a bit of an audience but he seemed fine.
As he headed back , Beach Buoy noticed dandelion seeds drifting from the Dunes they headed out to Sea, looking like skeletons of burst bubbles blown by excited children long long ago.

Beach Buoy...

20 AUG. 2018. SEATON SANDS.

Flat out on his cushion.
He had been out with others today.
He would not budge.
Worn Out.
Beach Buoy said
"Beach."
"Walk."
"Car."
Stubborn Dog did his Roger Moore impersonation by raising an eyebrow.
So off Beach Buoy went... (Dog-less.)

Beach Buoy arrived on Beach at 7-20 p.m.
The tide was well out.
There was a slight hint of drizzle for a short while but it cleared as he headed South.  A Couple were walking nearby, not parallel to but just slightly behind Beach Buoy.
A tall figure and a short figure.
Beach Buoy didn't stare, they just kept appearing in the corner of an eye.
From these slight glances Beach Buoy tried to figure them out.
Man, taller of there two?
Followed by shorter Woman.
Both definitely had hoods up, giving the impression of  couple of monks on a pilgrimage to North Gare.
Is this how Beach Buoy looks to others when he has his hood up?
After a while they slowed down, and eventually stopping short of their supposed destination a little like Stubborn Dog so often seems to want to do.

Beach Buoy carried on and came across this neater than usual sand writing.

They were up near the Gare, perhaps earlier Pilgrims leaving a mark to show their devotion to the Gare , or each other?

A young Seal was resting near the water's edge.
It turned to look at Beach Buoy.
Beach Buoy kept a good distance so as not to disturb Sammy.

He checked gare corner for finds and headed back Northwards.
It was a dull and overcast evening.

Looked like the pilgrim tour bus stopped short of going all the way to the Gare too? Or maybe they just didn't want to disturb Sammy?

BEACH BUOY.

19 AUGUST 2018. SEATON SANDS AND NORTH GARE BEACH.

A tired Beach Buoy hadn't slept well.
Up until 2 a.m. then laid listening to the rain on the sloping roof whilst looking into the darkness through the skylight. Odd really the rain would normally have sent him to sleep.
Beach Buoy had seen the weather forecast the night before, it said the rain  would stop around 7 a.m.; it did. Beach Buoy waited a while to make sure there was no more rain then walked to the beach with Stubborn Dog.
He Arrived at 7-57; the all weather 7 am club were leaving the Beach and heading back along the promenade.
The large Poodle ran over to see Beach Buoy for it's neck rub. It's owner; wearing flamboyant hat shouted over " I don't know why she always runs over to you? It's not like you have any biscuits or anything."
"I Know where to scratch." Beach Buoy replied. The Large Poodle  had one of it's back leg in the air trying to join in the scratch."
"What's her name?" Beach Buoy enquired.
"Marie." answered the owner.
They went their separate ways.
Silent Beach Buoy was turning into a threat to Alan Carr for the title of Chatty Man.
Beach Buoy headed down the Beach as the Village Church clock struck eight. He was in almost the same spot twelve hours earlier, as the evening eight sounded out across the South of the village and the Beach beyond.
 Beach Buoy is old,
 so maybe it ok to call someone a fair bit older elderly?
Anyway a lady who Beach Buoy sees quite regularly walking her dog as he goes to work or sometimes they pass on the Beach came over with a her dog. She had seen Stubborn Dog put the brakes on. " I saw your dog stop, I thought it might help if they said Hello." she added. Her Dog was a Shitzu with a lovely long coat and seemed more like Stubborn Dog's size ; he is a Lhassa Apso.
Apparently  they have much the same temperament ... STUBBORN! They shared stubborn stories then headed in opposite directions.
Beach Buoy headed to North Gare, hoping that the young Seal that he saw come ashore last night wasn't  still there.
It wasn't.
"Good." thought Beach Buoy.
They crossed over the Pier to North Gare passing the Sand Martins on the way.
Down by the River two cormorants flew just above the water into the strong wind. A Seagull, higher up in the Sky was getting nowhere fast.They sat a while,as they tend to do more and lately. As they headed back they met a man and his Cockerpoo. They exchanged a dog story or two. The man said that there was a Seal down on North Gare Beach. Two people were stood with it and a lady in a uniform had been to see it and busily walked away. "She had a good march on her." added the man. They also went their separate ways. Beach Buoy hoped the Seal wasn't last night's but headed back to Seaton Sands, convincing himself that the Seal was in good hands. They cut back through the Dunes, then back to the Beach for another sit and think.
 

As they sat, a small Seal head popped up, perhaps this was last night's Seal. beach Buoy hoped so.

They finally left the beach  as the bells sounded out 10 a.m.

When he got back, Beach Buoy photographed  some recent  finds.

BEACH BUOY.

SEATON SANDS AND NORTH GARE BEACH 18 08 18.

Free Parking starts at 6pm.
Beach Buoy and Stubborn Dog arrived at 6pm.
There was a gusting breeze from the Dunes as the two headed down to a mid-point between the water's edge and the strand-line.
They walked a while, then both paused and stood looking up towards the Dunes.
Tonight it was a warm wind to hit them in face, not rain like last night.
It was a slow weary walk tonight.
Stubborn Dog went on strike three times and looked at Beach Buoy as if to say "A'int moving mate." as if he thought he was making a one way trip the Vets!
In the end, tired Beach Buoy joined in.
The Dog was on strike again and looking South. Beach Buoy was facing the Dunes and the wind again with his hands stuffed deep in his Jeans pockets.
He glanced down at the Dog to see that the strong breeze had flipped over one of the Dog's ears, as if he had a comb-over hairstyle reminiscent of Ralph Coates; a footballer who used to play for Burnley and Spurs many seasons ago.
See link below. 
RALPH COATES

It was one of those nights, one of those that if Beach Buoy had a tent rolled up on his back he would find a quiet spot in the Dunes and sleep for England. One of those nights when Beach Buoy thought he could quiet easily never speak again. Shhhhh!

Eventually they continued to amble along.
They were off to North Gare Beach again.
As they approached the vomit of concrete Beach Buoy noticed a man on the pier. He had a camera and tripod, it all looked very professional.

They reached North Gare Beach on a driftwood hunt, remember this... they didn't find anything suitable.
They crossed over more rocks that piled up to the riverside.
Beach Buoy sat on a stone and gazed across the river.
The Dog slept, it's head wedged between two rock pillows close to Beach Buoy's feet. They stayed a while and relaxed then headed back to the Bay via the pier. The man with the professional Camera had it pointed to the Bay. Beach Buoy passed and said "Hiya. Seen anything interesting?" It speaks!
The man said he had been watching a young seal coming in and out of the Sea as though it couldn't make it's mind up what to do. They chatted a while then Beach Buoy and Stubborn made their way back. Stubborn Dog gave a growl and a bark at the man as they left.

As they headed for the pinch point at the end of the grey rocks they  went by the indecisive young Seal as it did the hokey cokey.
All together now... "You put your left leg in " etc etc 

They cleared the Rocks before the tide had come in.
As they headed back, Terns hovered and dropped into the Sea and an adult Seal showed it's head from time to time.
Over in the Dunes a Kestrel was doing a Tern impersonation  but it was dropping for food of a different type. So similar, yet so different and just a few hundred metres away from each other. Beach Buoy emptied his bag of Beach Clean items into a promenade rubbish bin. 

They finally reached the Car park and as they did a Vauxhall Corsa arrived with a Big Bore Exhaust with driver to match. He drove around quickly with his engine sounding like a popping machine gun. Another Corsa started up and did the same. This one had an engine that sounded like the machine that made machine guns.

Pop Pop
Bye Bye

BEACH BUOY.

 

SEATON SANDS AND NORTH GARE BEACH. 17 AUGUST 2018.

Scatter-cash Beach Buoy paid for parking again!
So it was 5-03 pm when Beach Buoy, Stubborn Dog and Other Dog hit the beach.
As they had parked, White Seabirds stood facing the strong breeze from the West.
The tide was well out as Other Dog shook himself from nose to tail in excitement. 
It was a blustery evening.
One hood went up; the first for a while.
The wind had dried the sand giving it a bit of a Crusty texture, you know like how you expect the Moon would be to walk on. ( After they dropped the bombshell that it isn't actually made of cheese!)

A history of tracks and footprints were on show for all to see.
The Sea was a lovely colour, ranging from a deep green at the water's edge, merging into lighter shades of blue and finally deep blue out on the horizon.
It was overcast.
Even over at Saltburn! Unless of course they had no change to put into the meter?

Beach Buoy did a beach clean and collected this little chap.
It had been tangled in green seaweed.

Beach Buoy saw a  Rock face that looked familiar.

STUBBORN DOG!
The Rock would be easier to walk!

The tide was still well out, but coming in.
Beach Buoy could get to North Gare via the Beach tonight.
The three gave some Dark Grey Seabirds a wide berth as they rested on the water's edge so as not to disturb them.  These birds too stood facing the strong breeze, their backs to the Sea Serpent.
Beach Buoy paused and looked up to the Dunes, the first spots of rain hit him in the face.
The greens and blues of the Sea were changing into 49 shades of grey.
Up to the right, the grey rocks turned dapple grey , with the rain spots on them.
Someone at work had asked  Beach Buoy for some driftwood, driftwood of a particular design / type.
More chance of driftwood over by the river at North Gare. So it was up the Vomit of Concrete, onto the Pier and down to the Gare.
The two strong little dogs clambered up the concrete like a couple of mountain goats.

A Ship came into Port. Two Tugs waited to guide it to it's berth.
The rain increased , it was time for the flappy, raincoat in a bag dance. Once again Beach Buoy struggled in the strong breeze to put the coat on as before. He wondered if his exertions  could be mistaken for someone in distress, trying to flag for help.
He could almost hear it
...---...
SEND HELP
MAN STUCK ON ROCKS...

No suitable driftwood tonight.
There was one that would have made a lovely bench seat in a Cottage by the Sea Garden...........

Beach Buoy crossed over the Pier back to the Bay.
The incoming tide was creating a pinch point where the grey rock ended and morphed into dunes. Off in the distance horses and riders enjoyed the Sea water.
The walk ended in heavy rain in the company of three crows that picked at carcass- like clumps of seaweed.
The Black Birds seemed to match the change in the weather in contrast to the white and grey birds seen earlier on the walk.

BEACH BUOY.

SEATON SANDS 16 AUGUST 2018.

Beach Buoy and Stubborn Dog walked to the Beach.
They got to see the wildflowers at the south end of the village.

The Beach was very bright and very breezy, with the wind off the Dunes. Beach Buoy and Stubborn Dog walked the water's edge, heading South...

They continued South.
Beach Buoy had brought binoculars tonight to see if he could see just where Saltburn (and surrounding area) hid the sunlamp.
He sat opposite the Sea Serpent; binoculars in hand. No sign of a sunlamp, there was a ship he hadn't spotted on the horizon. The ship was glowing in the distance like a fluorescent tube.

This was spotted up in the rocks, behind the two Sea watchers.
It was carried back #2minutebeachclean

Beach Buoy looked into the Markings.
FD .. fleetwood 79
name; NAN
picture of the boat on the internet
at Paddy's Hole which is at the other side of the River Tees at South Gare.


BEACH BUOY.

SEATON SANDS. 15 AUG. 2018.

Beach Buoy and Stubborn Dog arrived in the Car Park at 5-07pm.
Free Parking starts at 6 and Beach Buoy begrudges paying to see the Sea. He needed to get to the Sea earlier tonight.
Seabirds stood in the Car Park checking their watches as he pulled up. One was taking bets  "3-1 he won't pay...."
Beach Buoy paid.
The tide was 50 / 50. Half in or half out, half full, half empty syndrome....
It was half in / half full.

Once again Saltburn took the Mick; bathed in sunshine.....

Whilst to the North Hartlepool's Headland disappeared into the gloom.... the rain came. Beach Buoy reached into his bag for his coat in  a bag ( A smaller bag in his big bag.) It had saved him a few time in unexpected showers.
He struggled in the strong South Westerly breeze to put the flimsy, flappy coat on.
Word must have spread about the Sun at Saltburn as many of the Seabirds seems to be crossing the Bay; South to Saltburn. It looked like hard work, flying with one wing (Suncream,Towel and Sunglasses under the other.)

Beach Buoy stopped opposite the Sea Serpent for a sit and think.
He sheltered the Tired, Damp Little Dog from the rain.
They sat there a while like fans at a rain soaked Punk Rock concert. ( The ill-fitting Black Coat flapped in the wind like a bin bag.)
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

A Ship sailed form the Tees as Stubborn Dog slept at Beach Buoy's feet.
Eventually the Sea claimed their spot.

There was a fair bit of Sea Pottery around tonight.
Beach Buoy left most of it.
He had found one piece  that looked like part of an American  Place name  printed on it and the numbers 1943.
The piece was flat. Beach Buoy skimmed it out to Sea, he got a three.
 The last time he had found something dated from the 1940's it ended up with a closed Beach and a controlled explosion by Bomb Disposal!

Driftwood on the way back.
Two joggers approached , together , but apart.
A football goal distance apart.

More driftwood; no joggers attached.

The weather cleared a little as did Beach Buoy's head....

Sea Coal..

BEACH BUOY.

SEATON SANDS, 14 AUGUST 2018.

Beach Buoy and Stubborn Dog arrived at the Car Park at 6-28pm
By 6-30pm the Church bells were ringing and Beach Buoy's feet were on the Beach.
It was about 15 minutes to high tide.
A couple and their Dog had beaten Beach Buoy in heading South and were already well into their version of a Beach walk.

Beach Buoy glanced North..... then went South...he headed for the water's edge as two Horses thundered by, also going South. Their hooves thumping the sand as they ran by.

Once again Saltburn seemed to be getting the best of the weather this Evening. The waves slapped onto the Sand Banks and the Spent Sea rolled in onto the flatter sand beyond them. The two thumping horses walked back to their previous start point.

Beach Buoy's #2minutebeachclean he added another 12 items to it on the way back.

On the way back Beach Buoy looked at the sand trapped Sea and thought that it looked like a Mermaid's Tail? 

And typically just as Beach Buoy was leaving.. The Sun caught the Ferry from Saltburn and illuminated the end of this particular Beach walk....

BEACH BUOY. 

EYEMOUTH 13 AUGUST 2018.

It was time to say farewell to Eyemouth.
One last visit to the Clifftop in the hope of seeing ANOTHER Dolphin.
It wasn't to be.
Even if one had popped up the rain and mist was making visibility poor.
Goodbye Hairy Ness.
Goodbye Eyemouth.

BEACH BUOY.

DUNBAR, NORTH BERWICK and EYEMOUTH,SCOTLAND. 12 AUGUST 2018.

It was raining.
It was Sunday.
Dunbar Harbour.

Dunbar Castle from Dunbar Battery...
Links both here..
Dunbar Castle
Dunbar Battery.

Dunbar's narrow Harbour Entrance.
Over on the North side Kittiwakes shelter from the strong breeze.

North Berwick was next stop.
It was raining.
Beach Buoy was surprised by North Berwick. It was bigger than he had imagined , with Beaches, a Harbour, dramatic Bass Rock and the Scottish Seabird Centre.
see link below.
SCOTTISH SEABIRD CENTRE.
After a late lunch at Dog Friendly Seabird Centre it was time for a walk around.

The tide was high.The steps in the photograph above leads to a small pier at lower tides.

One of the Beaches at North Berwick.

Later in the Day it was Back to Eyemouth, with its seals snoozing on the low harbour wall.

BEACH BUOY.