it appears solid, yet it is just a cloud, dark and ominous hanging over the beach filling one half of the sky. the other half is ridiculously blue but the blazing sunlight cannot penetrate the dark cloud and the water in it's shadow threatens menace. 

there's three swimmers this morning, all hover near the shoreline as i pass them by wading out into the surprisingly warm water. no waves. 

it's all very dramatic and after yesterdays shark sighting people are nervous but we are surfers and the call of the water over rides every logical impulsion. 

forty minites later i'm drinking coffee in the sunlight, reading newspapers. the day is about to begin and it's not even 0700.