6, AUGUST 2026. SEATON SANDS, HARTLEPOOL.

Let sleeping dogs lie?

Another Dog was asleep.

Beach Buoy woke her.

They walked to the beach.

They crossed Sandy Car Park at 6-32 a.m.

Regular sea swimmers were drying themselves at their car.

The person who walks the car park perimeter did so.

To the Esplanade.

Beach Buoy couldn't hear or see any Little Terns.

They headed to the sea.

Beach Buoy collected five suitable stones.

It was overcast with a breeze from the west.

The Beachcombing Border Collie Couple were heading back to the north.

The tide was more in than it was out.

Beach Buoy tipped a cap full of seeds for a nearby Crow.

It didn't seem to be interested at first.

Then it decided to walk towards it like a Police Constable looking for clues.

They headed to the low level route.

The lady who walks as far as the tide would allow gave a returned distant wave as turned to head back north.

Beach Buoy collected two sturdy stones.

They were added to the sea defence.

Up the small slope.

Ruby. 

aka

Another Dog.

"Morning Mate."

An unheard factory buzzer buzzed.

It was 7 a.m.

Beach Buoy added the five suitable stones.

He patted 

THE

stone.

He topped up the wildlife water bowl.

It was half full / half empty.

He scattered seeds for the birds.

Beach Buoy sat on the driftwood seat with an elevated view, sitting and thinking.

Another Dog did the same on the dune sand.

They stood to go.

"See you mate."

A Magpie watched from a distance.

A Crow reached the stack first.

Team Muzzled Dog approached.

They shared distant waves.

Another Dog was happy to trot back.

The tide was coming in.

Distant waves were shared as Dylan the Dog and owner were heading south.

Once on the Esplanade, Beach 5put a small beach clean into a bin.

Rita, the meter maid was walking from machine to machine, checking for returned coins.

They headed back on foot.

If you ever wondered...

Top number is pile size.

150mm -6 inch

The bottom number is distance to hydrant.

This one is blank as it is right beside it.

Older ones will be in imperial.

Paul.

5, AUG. 2026. SEATON SANDS, HARTLEPOOL.

 Beach Buoy and Another Dog walked to the beach.

They set off at 5-21 a.m.

Walk by the Cricket Club.

On the other side of the road, the person who walks the car park perimeter whilst wired for sound was walking towards the beach too.

 South west breeze blew leaves from nearby trees.

Across the Clock Tower Grass.

To the Esplanade.

It was 5-40.

They set off along the beach.

Beach Buoy collected five suitable stones.

They headed south.

The breeze picked up.

It was more west than south west now.

The tide was more in than it was out.

It was still good to have some width to the tidal sands after so many high tide visits.

The Sun broke free from the clouds.

Their sunshine shadows joined them for a while.

Team One Black Ear were to the south.

They were heading north.

They chatted as their sandy paths crossed.

It always pays to look up.

Daytime Moons are always pleasing.

They made their way to the low level route.

The local tip had been shut down.

Unemployed Gulls that picked at new deliveries in their hundreds now stood, unemployed.

They would have to turn to the sea for a living.

No year-round "food" on tap.

Flocks of Gulls sat around seemed to be a more common site.

They walked the low level route.

There was Wabbit Twacks everywhere.

Beach Buoy selected two Sturdy Stones.

They were added to the sea defence.

6-21.

"Morning Mate."

Beach Buoy added five suitable stones.

He patted 

FHE

stone.

He topped up the wildlife water bowl.

He scattered some seeds for the birds.

He sat on the driftwood seat with an elevated view.

He scanned the sea surface.

He had missed the Dolphin sightings of yesterday.

He did have the Sea Serpent.

Not everyone sees the Sea Serpent.

A Sand Martin flew south to north.

An Oyster Catcher whistled north to south.

The slate that Beach Buoy painted and fitted fir the Army veteran's Dog.

"See you mate."

Back along the low level route.

Another Dog led the way.

Beach Buoy had walked this beach many times.

It was the first time that he had noticed the grassy mounds behind the seafront houses.

The Sun had caught the bone dry yellow grass.

It seemed odd, only noticing them after all of this time.

So dry for so long...

The Sea Serpent Marker.

They continued northwards.

Look up.

Lovely clouds.

The was a lovely blue light over Saltburn way and beyond.

They headed to the Esplanade.

Beach Buoy put his beach clean into a bin.

They set off across the car park.

Distant waves were shared, Team Muzzled Dog were on the Esplanade, heading to the beach.

Head back.

Paul.

4, AUG. 2026. JUST A BIKE RIDE.

 

As he began to head back, Beach Buoy stopped to chat to a gentleman who lived in the Marina Apartments.

He was losing his sea view to the new builds.

Paul.

4, AUG. 2026. SEATON SANDS, HARTLEPOOL.

 Beach Buoy and Another Dog reached Sandy Car Park at 6-02 a.m.

The Little Terns were silent.

The lady who once fell off her bike had turned at the South end of the Esplanade.

She was heading back north with her companion.

They met up with two who were aiming to reach the South end, then turn.

They turned once again.

All four reached the South end wall before returning north.

Beach Buoy placed the ever-reluctant Ruby on the Esplanade Wall.

They could see that the tide was well in.

It was overcast.

It was mild.

Random spots of rain came in a warm breeze from the west, across the sea.

They headed down to the water's edge.

Beach Buoy collected five suitable stones.

The man with invisible hiking poles was leading the way.

Ahead of him, Team One Black Ear were heading back north with a chap with an orange coat and a friendly Labradoodle.

They passed by.

"Morning."

"Morning."

"Morning."

The Labradoodle headed into the sea.

That'll be the Labrador half.

On the downside it was covered in curly Poodle fur which would be a nightmare to dry.

Out in the bay, a Ship headed into Hartlepool another made way to the River Tees.

The others were soon dots in the distance.

Beach Buoy gave a capful of seed to a nearby Crow.

They continued south.

It looked like the high tide was about to peak.

The raindrops switched from random to regular.

The man with invisible hiking poles turned back.

He had forgotten his invisible umbrella.

Beach Buoy reached into his beach bag.

Thankfully, he had brought a coat for Another Dog.

Beach Buoy looked back.

The Beachcombing Border Collie Couple had turned back early.

Due more to the height of the tide.

(Few finds.)

Than the rainfall.

Beach Buoy and Another Dog walked the low level route.

Two sturdy stones were selected.

They were added to the makeshift sea defence.

Up the small slope.

"Morning Mate."

It was 6-42.

Beach Buoy added the five suitable stones.

He patted 

THE 

stone.

He scattered some seeds for the Crows and Magpies.

He topped up the wildlife water bowl.

Beach Buoy had painted SKYE on a piece of beach-found slate with a hole in it.

It was varnished to protect it from rain.

He screwed it into one of the giant pencil posts for the military veteran who had just lost his Border Collie pal.

The driftwood seat with an elevated view was damp with the rain.

Beach Buoy sat on it anyway.

A damp sit and a think.

"See you mate."

They walked the low level route.

Back to the north.

Seabirds picked at the water's edge.

As they approached the end of the low level route Beach Buoy noticed more birds too.

Crows and more seabirds picked at the water's edge.

Beach Buoy pointed south like a one-armed Scarecrow.

Like a rehearsed magic trick the three Crows took off as one, they all headed to Stubborn Dog Stack.

Beach Buoy actually did laugh out loud.

It felt special.

The three Crows dropped down.

Breakfast was served.

Beach Buoy and Another Dog headed back north.

Distant waves were shared with Team Muzzled Dog.

At the north end of the dunes, Beach Buoy passed the man who once had four dogs.

"Morning."

"Morning Paul."

His three delightful dogs followed on behind as usual.

Once up on the Esplanade, Beach Buoy placed his small five item beach clean into a bin.

Paul.