Me: I do like a sandy nose. Especially in the sunshine.
Nell: Sandy noses are part of beach life. Any self respecting animal knows that.
Me: Is there a particular reason why Dave keeps staring at the sky?
Nell: David is on Surveillance Duty.
Me: Beefies in cowboy hats?
Nell: Not this time.
Me: There are an awful lot of seagulls around today.
Nell: Just decoys. None of them are Beefies.
Me: How can you tell?
Nell: Size, and the glint in their eye.
Me: I’ll remember that.
Nell: No, you won’t.
Me: So, who’s Dave looking out for then?
Nell: Magpies.
Me: You don’t see many of those on the beach.
Nell: Exactly.
Me: We’ve got an extremely greedy one at home. It’s been stealing the small birds’ food.
Nell: Yes, I know.
Me: Robin’s worried about it.
Nell: Which Robin are you referring to? You know there are three of them now.
Me: I thought there were only two.
Nell: A young robin has joined them. You must have noticed.
Me: I just talk to Rob. Sometimes he’s a little portlier than others and sometimes his feathers are a bit tatty.
Nell: And sometimes Rob isn’t a he at all.
Me: I don’t know about that, Nell.
Nell: Obviously not.
Me: Anyway, I don’t think Dave is going to spot any magpies here.
Nell: You never know.
Me: Kev and I always salute them and say ‘Morning Mr Magpie, and how’s your lady wife today?’
Nell: Many people do.
Me: It’s only superstition but I seem to have to do it.
Nell: It’s gone to their heads, of course.
Me: I can see why, Nell. I could develop airs and graces if everyone saluted me wherever I went.
Nell: Fortunately that’s never going to happen.
Me: No. Sorry.
