SEATON SANDS, HARTLEPOOL, 20 OCT 2021.

Beach Buoy and Another Dog walked to the beach.

It had been a wet day.

It had rained and rained.

The rain had stopped by the time they set off on foot.

A pale sunshine shadow even had the cheek to head off in front.

They reached the car park at 4-38 pm.

Beach Buoy spotted a laminated  notice from the council affixed to one of the parking meters.

He only read the title

Seaview Car Park.

Blah 

Blah

    Blah.....

He had never heard it called Seaview Car Park before.

They crossed "Seaview" Car Park.

They passed the "Happy to chat." bench and headed for the beach access ramp.

The tide was high.

There was a slight breeze from the west.

The sun shone enough to highlight the steelworks, to the south, across the river.

Two Ladies , two cups of Coffee and two dogs on leads headed for the dunes.

Beach Buoy and Another Dog took a short walk to the sound of the sea.

They shared the water's edge with tiny white birds with grey wings, aka pebbles with legs.

Ornithology isn't Beach Buoy's strong point, saying that, he will never forget that the scientific name for a Manx Shearwater is; Puffinus Puffinus.

The sunlight spread a little more, now it lit up the white paint on ships on the horizon.

A Dead Guillemot lay on the beach.

It had its head tilted to one side.

It looked bashful, but it was dead.

The Sun shone everywhere now.

A flock of large white birds crossed the bay from north to south, before heading west, over the dune system.

Bearing in mind Beach Buoy's ornithological  "expertise", large white birds would have to do.

The "Swans" aka Cygnus ?

Looked spectacular.

As he walked, Beach Buoy uprighted seven crabs that had been laid on their backs, slowly dying.

He placed some in beach-trapped water, others facing the sea.

There wasn't any rock pools due to the height of the tide.

The Crabs were dying, like so many others recently.

At least they weren't struggling upside down.

The sunlight kissed the top of

Stubborn Dog Stack.

"Afternoon Mate."

Beach Buoy added five beach stones.

He patted

THE

stone.

Beach Buoy admired the view and enjoyed the sunshine; the light.

"See you mate."

They headed back down to the beach.

Even though it was the usual slow walk back, Beach Buoy paused.

That "inner rush" had kicked in.

There was no rush.

It wouldn't be dark for an hour.

He stood looking at the sea, hands in pockets like he had all of the time in the world.

When they finally did start heading back to the north, dips in the dunes allowed the sun to hit Beach Buoy full in the face like a Warm Custard Pie.

A man with a backpack headed south.

He went to a large driftwood bench and sat, looking at the sea.

Maybe he was stopping an inner rush too?

Beach Buoy spotted another Crab on its back.

It was almost lifeless.

He uprighted it, placed it facing the sea.

He stroked the doomed creature's shell and wished it luck.

They headed off into the distance as the sun kissed the Headland goodnight.

BEACH BUOY.

 

SEATON SANDS, HARTLEPOOL, 19 OCT 2021.

Beach Buoy and Another Dog walked to the beach.

They arrived at 4-29 pm.

A mild but blustery wind blew from the west.

The tide was quite high.

A lady wearing a Parka looked like she had had enough.

She had one hand on her hip as she threw a ball for her tireless looking Dog.

They headed south, near the strand-line.

A red rose laid stranded by the sea, in memory of someone unknown.

Up ahead two fishermen fished the beach.

Beach Buoy gave them plenty of space, before collecting some beach stones for 

Stubborn Dog Stack.

"Afternoon Mate."

he patted 

THE 

stone.

They stood with the warm wind blowing on their backs as they looked out to sea.

A small boat made a dash for the river mouth.

Behind it, a Large Red Ship took aim at the Gares.

"See you Mate."

they headed back to the beach.

The beach gave up a few bits and bobs as the tide retreated.

It was so mild.

Beach Buoy had put on a waterproof coat, thinking it could rain.

He was warm.

They crossed the Car Park, no van...

They headed down Tees Road.

Dotty Dog and owner were heading in opposite direction, on the opposite side on the road.

The Dogs seemed to give distant wave lady-like waves to one another.

The owners did the same

"Hiya."

"Hiya."

Beach Buoy and Another Dog headed back.

BEACH BUOY.

 

SEATON SANDS, HARTLEPOOL, 18 OCT 2021.

Beach Buoy and Another Dog set off on foot for the beach

 at 5-41pm.

Another Dog chased wind-blown leaves like it was the best game ever.

They passed the Golf Club as its roller shutter door was rolled down ; SHUT.

The club's flag fluttered at half-mast in the warm breeze from the west, another member gone.

They reached the beach at 5-54.

It was grey out at sea.

It was much darker grey to the west; a thunder grey.

The breeze morphed into wind.

There were a few people and dogs scattered around.

Strips of drying seaweed somersaulted back to the sea.

They headed for 

Stubborn Dog Stack.

It was 6-25 pm when he said,

"Evening Mate."

he patted 

THE

stone.

He added some beach stones, including some from yesterday's trip to Crimdon.

They watched as a Ship left the River Tees, its front and rear illuminated; a void in-between.

A dark figure passed by down on the beach.

The figure headed South to North Gare Pier, the tide was low enough to allow beach access.

"See you Mate."

They headed back to the beach, then North.

Beach Buoy pulled the hood up on his

T4 DUB hoodie.

It was by no means cold.

He was just using the hood as a pair of blinkers.

Just stay focused, heading north.

He was a bit fed up.

6-32pm; Dark....

A fading grey sea rolled and splashed.

Up ahead,  familiar looking lights lit the sea front.

 A gap in the cloud cover to the south allowed the Moon to shine through.

It appeared in around the same position as the sun rises this time of year.

A  dune edge couple headed south into the darkness, their route lit by a beach scanning torch.

BEACH BUOY.

CRIMDON, SUNDAY 17 OCT 2021.

It was 11-30 a.m. when they reached Crimdon.

A pan of Tomato soup went on the hob as crusty bread was cut and buttered.

Once consumed it was beach time, again.

It was bright and breezy.

They heded south.

They passed the bird hide.

Like a grand entrance to a wonderful arena.

In fact, it is  grand entrance to a wonderful wonderful arena; the beach.

They headed south.

.

A couple passed with their dog.

"Aw."

Another Dog reached for her clipboard.

Only one ✅ today, under the Gorgeous section.

They sat on the beach.

The breeze was on their backs.

Another Dog dug a hole.

Then Another Dog dug another hole.

It was canny weather really, for mid to late October.

Beach Buoy.

SEATON SANDS, HARTLEPOOL. SUNDAY 17 OCT 2021.

Beach Buoy woke at 3-50 a.m. 

At 5-30 a.m. he and Another Dog were parked up at the beach.

It had rained overnight.

It was mild outside with a equally mild breeze.

It was very dark.

Beach Buoy put a pan of milk and a radio on.

He made and drank coffee as he scribbled notes and  drew daft sketches for his blog.

Another Dog slept on the back of the van's rear seats.

That was Stubborn Dog's chosen spot too, back in the day.

"Thank goodness for the van."

thought Beach Buoy.

A mobile beach hut and now a mobile office / study, even though that did sound more than a little pretentious.

6 a.m. came; light didn't.

In summertime, he would be sat up at Stubborn Dog Stack by now, with a coffee in his hand and a sunrise tucked safely into his back pocket.

He hated waiting for the light to come.

He hated the light going early.

It was like some sort of curfew.

6-20 came; light didn't.

The council road sweeping truck did.

It came to clean the car park.

It went around and round the car park.

Beach Buoy thought that it may be the ideal job for the headphone man who walked the perimeter of the car park over and over again.

6-31 came; light didn't.

Beach Buoy drew more sketches for the blog.

6-45 came; light didn't.

Another pan of milk went on the van's hob.

Outside, the wind speed seemed to pick up, making it sound colder than it actually was.

He made some more scribbled notes in his scribbly beach note book.

6-48 came; light didn't, a cyclist did, heading south along the promenade with bright cycle lights flashing.

Beach Buoy looked to the north.

He could see twinkling car headlights heading along the illuminated sea front.

The pan of milk almost boiled over, it was caught just in time.

" Cook, cook. cook, cook-ability, that's the beauty of gas." went the TV advert.

The song played in Beach Buoy's head.

He made his second coffee of the morning.

Two dark figures headed south on the promenade.

A car pulled up nearby.

The distant wave lady stepped out, before heading for the beach with her large friendly dog.

By 7-08 am the first cracks of light appeared in the sky, giving a hint as to what the weather was doing.

Clouds became more defined. 

A man in shorts and a lady who fell off her bicycle a few moths ago , walked south together.

Beach Buoy peeled Another Dog from the back seat of the van.

They headed for the beach.

Dotty Dog and her owner were just leaving.

Another Dog and Dotty Dog did the Dotty Dog dance.

The owners chatted briefly.

They went their separate ways, it was 7-27 a.m.

Beach Buoy walked towards the strand-line.

It looked as if someone had dragged something either to or from the water's edge?

The beach looked quiet.

It was quiet.

They headed south.

Beach Buoy found a stranded Crab, laid on its back, its claws praying for help.

The nearest rock pools would be at North Gare Pier.

On the way he picked up another seven religiously minded crabs.

He laid them along one arm and tried to walk south towards North Gare Pier.

Another Dog was on a short lead.

She was trying her very best to trip Beach Buoy up.

It was a difficult walk.

For a long time the Pier didn't seem to be getting any closer.

Finally the crabs were placed in rock pools.

Some looked more lively than others.

It may be too late for them?

At least they weren't on their backs, stranded.

They were in more natural surroundings.

They headed to the north.

They had had to pass 

Stubborn Dog Stack.

The stack is on the Dune edge. 

Just turn left, east at the tapered end of the grey rocks.

The wet sand was giving beautiful reflections.

"Morning Mate."

he patted 

THE

 stone.

He added more.

A ship left the river as they stood and watched.

Beach Buoy stroked

THE

stone.

"See you mate."

they headed back to the beach.

Beach Buoy collected three more crabs.

He headed for some exposed corrugated steel work.

There would be pools there.

There was.

He placed the three crabs into pools that had formed  around the steelwork.

Crows watched.

They had been feasting on some not so lucky crabs, ones whose prayers were not answered.

The tide was well out.

In the distance, a lone timber from an unknown wreck made itself known.

They headed back to the van.

Beach Buoy placed Another Dog on the promenade wall for a short while.

The mild breeze blew.

At least she could see for a while.

BEACH BUOY.

 

SATURDAY 16 OCT 2021.. SEATON SANDS, HARTLEPOOL.

They reached the beach car park at 7-01 a.m.

Beach Buoy spotted a man stood in the darkness trying to make sense of the parking meter and the charges.

Beach Buoy drove alongside.

"It's free until 9."

"Ah thanks."

The man headed back to his bright yellow car.

Out came a Labrador.

They headed for the beach.

Beach Buoy parked up.

The tide looked well out.

Beach Buoy sipped a mouthful of coffee.

They headed for the beach.

Gulls cried as they headed inland in the early morning dimness.

A cold breeze blew from the west as they headed south.

The clatter of train on tracks drifted by, carried  on the chilly breeze.

They followed the strand-line, a strand-line marked with a sprinkle of sea coal.

Cold finger ends were stuffed into coat pockets.

The rest of the hands followed.

Beach Buoy did a 360 degree turn.

He counted four on the beach, including him.

A Crane from a rig-scrapping yard peeked over the dunes to verify the count.

They headed up to 

Stubborn Dog Stack.

"Morning Mate."

He patted 

THE 

stone.

He added more to the stack.

Beach Buoy stood and pondered.

He pondered that inner rush.

An inbuilt rush from years of factory work, powered by an immense amount of conscientiousness.

He needed to chill.

Another Dog sat looking towards The Sea Serpent, looking a little too much like Stubborn Dog.

They stayed a while.

Beach Buoy drank thermal mug coffee.

"See you mate."

They headed back to the beach.

Beach Buoy decided to continue southwards.

The emptiness of the beach was inviting.

North Gare Pier and the World War Two Tank Traps.

The sun broke free of the low cloud for a couple of brief bright minutes.

Another Dog had another Another Dog for company for a short while.

 

The sun shone like the giant flare that it is.

They headed north to the van.

A litter-picking man headed south.

The sun slipped into the clouds.

It's rays remained.

Beam me up, Scotty.

Beam me up!

BEACH BUOY.

FRIDAY 15 OCT, SEATON SANDS.

 

SEATON SANDS, 14 OCT 2021 THURSDAY .