SEATON SANDS HARTLEPOOL, 18, NOV, 2023.

 

Beach Buoy woke.

He guessed at the time 

2-14 a.m.?

It was 2-14 a.m.

A few factors meant that an early morning beach wasn't to be. 

It was as late as 1-19 p.m. when Beach Buoy, Borrowed Dog and Another Dog headed to the beach.

The Golf Club flag fluttered at half mast in the gentle breeze the south west.

The paused at the promenade wall at 1-35.

Another Dog stuck out her tongue as Borrowed Dog tried to look windswept and interesting.

They headed down the beach access ramp.

The weakest of sunshine shadows were waiting on the beach for them.

The tide was a good way out, beyond the Seaton Carew Wreck.

The clouds above the village looked excellent.

Beach Buoy and the dogs headed south.

People and the dogs wandered around a spacious beach.

A family walked below the dunes.

The children decided to see just how steep the dunes were.

A Milky Sun hung behind the dunes.

Beach Buoy waved to Stubborn Dog Stack as they passed on the beach below.

They would visit on their way back, via an easier route.

The low tide allowed access to Sand Martin Corner.

The recent storm had could much of Sand Martin Corner to collapse.

A man made structure protruded from the sands.

A bit of research later seemed to suggest that it was a machine gun post, overlooking the Tank Traps.

Stood on such a peaceful beach with a reminder of more dangerous times.

A Twitter mate came along with his two excellent dogs.

The had a good chat.

Beach Buoy, Borrowed Dog and Another Dog headed up to the dunes.

They returned to the north.

Others headed north on the beach.

They reached Stubborn Dog Stack.

It was 2-57 p.m.

"Afternoon Mate."

Beach Buoy added some stones.

He patted

THE

stone.

He set up the wobbly driftwood plank.

He drank a wobbly driftwood coffee.

Others walked their walks.

Beach Buoy just sat, letting the world go by for a while.

Beach discussion. 

"See you mate."

Beach Buoy and the dogs began to head back.

They clambered carefully over grey rocks to reach the sands beyond.

Others led the way as rain began to fall.

Horses arrived.

Beach Buoy and the Dogs headed back.

BEACH BUOY.

SEATON SNOOKS TEA ROOM OUT AND ABOUT CARD.

 

Alfie and Archie.

BEACH BUOY.

BIKE RIDE.12-11-23.

 

The Promenade.

Wider and usually quieter to the North end.

The Headland.

The Bay.

BEACH BUOY.

SEATON SANDS HARTLEPOOL. 12-11-23.

 

Beach Buoy was up by 4-08 a.m.

Make coffee.

Catch up with blog.

The first Gull's cry was heard at 5-10.

He made a coffee for his beach bag.

He waited impatiently.

6-38 saw Beach Buoy and Another Dog arrive at the beach car park.

Again, people and dogs walked a dark Promenade.

One man had chosen to lean on the promenade wall and out to see how much sea he could see.

There was a splash of white breaking sea ahead, a splash of orange to the south.

Beach Buoy slid open the side door of the van.

"Let the faff begin!"

The lady who once fell off her bike walked southwards along the promenade with her companion.

No lit torch today 

They were all a little later this morning.

After taking faffing to new levels, Beach Buoy and Another Dog reached sand at 6-50.

They headed for flat, tidal sand.

It's easier to walk on in the half light.

The tide was way out.

The air was still but cold.

A couple walking the water's edge made 102 resting Gulls take flight.

They headed south, midway between the sea and the strand-line.

Up on the strand-line, a lady walked her dog southwards too.

Down by the sea a jogger also headed south in silence 

Behind him, two men changed from joggers to walkers and back again constantly.

When they walked they still half shouted to one another as though still jogging, still breathless. 

Beach Buoy switched off for a while.

No notes.

Just take in the there and now.

The gorgeous glowing and increasing light.

The simplicity of the sea.

The sights.

The sounds 

The peacefulness, not a choice given to so many.

Back in blog land...

The Jogger and the two vociferous beach walkers/ joggers headed back north together.

Beach Buoy waved up to Stubborn Dog Stack as they passed by below.

The couple that had disturbed 103 Gulls headed back north. 

Their Black Labrador was friendly enough but come over to Beach Buoy, barking.

"Sorry. He's been a bit of a f***y today. He's usually O.K." said the man.

The lady added,"He's running around like he owns the beach."

A man had set up a tripod near to the fencing on North Gare Pier.

He was aiming to catch the sunrise not fish.

Beach Buoy sat with a coffee and Another Dog.

A silvery sea looked turbulent on an otherwise calm morning.

Twenty seven wind turbines stood idle as the sea hit the Pier, then rose upwards.

The Sun rose above the Pier and a Photographer.

Beach Buoy and Another Dog rose to head back via Stubborn Dog Stack.

They climbed grey rocks, then walked the dunes.

Across a dip, Beach Buoy's Sunlight shadow appeared as if coming to meet them from the north.

Beach Buoy waved.

His sunshine shadow waved back.

"Morning Mate."

Beach Buoy added a couple of stones that he had placed in his beach bag when they were down by the tank traps.

He patted 

THE

stone.

After a bit of a think...

"See you mate."

They returned to the beach.

It was a gorgeous start to the day.

A couple headed south, their dog behind, playing catch-up.

The tide was way out.

South of 

THE

Seaton Carew Wreck,

 the timbers of another wreck are briefly exposed.

As soon as the tide releases it, it begins to reclaim it once more. 

The wreck and the Sun.

The corrugation.

Beach Buoy checked south.

They continued their slow walk back.

As they reached the Promenade, the four ladies who walk the Promenade together did just that.

BEACH BUOY.

SEATON SNOOKS TEA ROOM OUT AND ABOUT CARD.

 

Coffee-Sheltering behind Tank Trap. 

BEACH BUOY.

SEATON SANDS HARTLEPOOL. 11-11-23.

Beach Buoy woke at 4 a.m.

He made coffee.

He caught up with the blog.

He made a thermal mug of coffee in readiness for his beach walk.

Another Dog was curled up asleep like a comfortable cat the whole time. 

Beach Buoy and Another Dog reached the beach car park at 6-31 a.m.

People and dogs were walking the promenade.

He went to the side door of the van.

The cold wind blew in and around the van.

Beach Buoy turned the van around, reversing into the parking bay.

Back at the side door once more, the van offered shelter.

He faffed on.

The lady who once fell off her bike, headed south.

She had a lit torch in hand and her short-wearing companion at her side.

Beach Buoy and Another Dog headed to the beach. 

To the north, in the faintest of lights, the 7 a.m. club stood by the sea.

Mari the big friendly poodle must have been on a wander. 

An unmistakable whistle ran out along the beach into the dunes. 

Beach Buoy and Another Dog headed headed south.

The Village was behind them, a thin slice of Moon lay ahead. 

Another Dog wasn't impressed with the dozen or so crows that searched for leftover cat treats scattered by the 7 a.m. club.

Gulls swirled around overhead.

The first hint of light appeared.

A Lone Gull flew over Stubborn Dog Stack.

Beach Buoy waved to the stack.

It was a bit of an obstacle course to reach it at the moment. 

He was intending on visiting from the south.

Beach Buoy looked around a full 360 degrees.

Not a soul in sight. 

They headed along the edge of the grey rocks.

The tide was out enough to allow beach access to Sand Martin Corner and the Tank Traps. 

Beach Buoy and Another Dog took partial shelter from the cold wind behind a Tank Trap 

Beach Buoy drank coffee.

As he drank his coffee, a couple walked along North Gare Pier with their small dog.

Coffee drank, Beach Buoy began to look for an easy route up to the dunes.

Two Tank Traps had been uncovered by the storms.

They looked in good condition, having protected by the sand for many years.

The photograph makes clear just how much sand has gone, how deeply covered they were.

They did a short dune edge clamber.

They headed north to Stubborn Dog Stack.

Muzzled Dog clambered around the Grey Rocks to their left. 

"Morning Mate."

It was 7-48.

Beach Buoy added a couple of stones.

He patted

THE

stone.

A grey dog with a poppy bandana appeared.

It sniffed and carried on northwards.

His owner soon followed.

He just said "Morning."

No sniffing took place.

On the beach below, a man headed south.

He took longer strides as he crossed beach water.

The Sea Serpent Marker looked on. 

In next to no time, the bandana dog and it's owner returned south.

"See you mate."

Beach Buoy and Another Dog set off.

Another Dog trying to drag Beach Buoy down an unfamiliar sandy slope.

Sunlight came.

It briefly kissed Hartlepool Headland but spurned Seaton Carew Village.

They headed back.

BEACH BUOY.

Thank you.

 

SEATON SNOOKS TEA ROOM OUT AND ABOUT CARD.

THANK YOU.

BEACH BUOY.