December 2022

27th

I woke up, ate bubble and squeak for breakfast, and then took pictures of the snow that fell last night.

Vintage red tractor covered in snow. It's parked in a farmyard setting, with a snow-covered pile of hay or straw visible nearby. The background features a wintry landscape of snow-covered fields and trees. The overall impression is one of rural life in a snowy, cold climate.
Group of sheep feeding from a trough on a snow-covered hillside. A small house is visible in the background, nestled among a cluster of dark evergreen trees. The scene is peaceful and evokes a sense of rural winter life.
Snow-covered hillside with a low stone wall running along its lower edge. A simple wooden stile is visible in the wall. The scene is minimalistic, with a muted colour palette dominated by the whites and greys of the snow and stone. The overall impression is one of quiet, wintry solitude.
Close-up of a snow-covered bush, specifically what appears to be a Viburnum bush, with delicate pink flowers and buds that have been dusted with snow. The branches are bare except for the flowers and are covered in a light layer of snow. The background is blurred, but shows more of the same snow-covered bush and other winter foliage. The overall impression is one of gentle winter beauty.
Large axe stuck in a tree stump. The scene is outdoors, covered in a light layer of snow. A wooden fence, also covered in snow, is visible in the background. There are some pieces of wood and a black pot on the ground nearby. The overall impression is one of a rustic, possibly rural setting, perhaps in the winter.
Close-up view of a weathered wooden wagon wheel, partially covered in snow. The wheel is painted yellow, though the paint is chipped and aged, revealing the dark wood underneath. The wheel is resting on the ground, partially obscured by snow and some dry grass or hay. The background includes a partially visible wooden structure, suggesting a cart or wagon, also covered in a light dusting of snow. The overall impression is one of age, rustic charm, and a winter setting.

I returned to my residence in Hawick after spending a pleasant evening with my friend. I'm grateful to the Scottish Borders Council for giving me a place to stay after living on a dangerous frontier for so long that it would have killed me. The only Christmas decorations were a few baubles and two strips of tinsel. Though my mind is still racing, I am more at ease with the unpleasant messages that interrupt me every waking moment.

20th

In my initial attempt, I learned how to knit.

Ball of off-white yarn and knitting needles with a small piece of knitting in progress. The knitting shows a subtle colour change from a pale yellow/cream to the off-white of the main yarn ball. The setting appears to be a rustic wooden surface.

Have a multitude of plans for this pastime.

18th

I travelled to the Grey Mares Tail Waterfalls and, after eliciting patience, captured images of the icy waters.

Partially frozen river meandering through a snow-dusted landscape. The riverbanks are rocky and sparsely vegetated, with leafless trees and bushes lining the banks and hills in the background. A light snow covers the ground, and the sky is overcast and grey. The overall mood is serene yet cold.
Partially frozen river flowing through a wintry landscape. The river is dark, with patches of ice and snow along its banks and surface. The banks are sparsely vegetated, with some dry grasses and shrubs visible. In the background, there are dark green hills covered with trees, hinting at a rural or mountainous setting. A log is partially submerged and frozen into the river.
Partially frozen stream or river winding through a snowy landscape. The river is flanked by leafless trees and bushes, indicating a winter setting. In the background, there's a line of hills under a grey, overcast sky. A utility pole is visible on the left side of the frame. The overall impression is one of a peaceful, cold, and somewhat desolate winter scene.
Snow-dusted landscape, likely in a rural area. Rolling hills rise in the background, sparsely covered with low-lying vegetation and a few dark evergreen trees. In the foreground, a field is lightly covered with snow, and a small flock of sheep are scattered across it. A simple wire fence runs across the bottom of the image. The overall mood is serene and quiet.
Winding dirt road snaking through a valley in a mountainous region. The valley is largely forested with dark green evergreen trees, interspersed with patches of lighter brown, possibly cleared areas or areas with different vegetation. A section of the hillside shows a lighter tan colour, suggesting a different type of terrain or possibly logging activity. There's a light dusting of snow on the ground and some of the higher elevations. The overall atmosphere is serene and somewhat desolate, characteristic of a remote, wintry landscape.

The wind was blowing hard, and my cheeks were cold. The footpath leading to the falls was narrow and sloping.

Snow-dusted mountain path in a valley. A small stream runs alongside the path. Several sheep are visible in the distance and one is walking along the path. The overall mood is serene and wintry.

I had to wait a little while before I could get a decent photo of the falls because there were people there with drones, one of who was wearing a bright red jacket.

Partially frozen waterfall cascading down a rocky mountainside. A trail meanders along the base of the cliff face, leading towards the waterfall. The overall atmosphere is one of cold, rugged beauty, typical of a winter landscape. Sparse vegetation clings to the rocky slopes. A small figure, possibly a hiker, is visible near the base of the falls, providing a sense of scale.
Rocky stream flowing through a valley between two mountains. The mountainsides are a mix of greens and browns, with some patches of reddish-brown vegetation visible. A waterfall is visible in the distance, cascading down the mountainside into the valley. The overall impression is one of a wild, rugged, and somewhat desolate, yet beautiful landscape.
Snow-dusted trail winding along a hillside, overlooking a valley with a stream. The valley is characterised by its varied terrain, with patches of green and brown grass, and a small stream meandering through it. In the distance, a larger hill or mountain rises, showing layers of colour and texture. The scene evokes a sense of tranquil, desolate beauty typical of a sparsely populated countryside.

James Hogg, a poet and writer, is commemorated by a monument. "The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner," which came out in 1824, is his most important work. Ugh.

Sparsely vegetated hillside, with a few leafless trees in the foreground. In the mid-ground, there is a small, light-coloured monument or structure. The ground is covered with long, dry grass, and there are patches of snow. The overall atmosphere is bleak and wintry. The sky is overcast and grey.

Arrived at Meggit Water.

Tranquil landscape dominated by a large reservoir nestled between snow-dusted, rolling hills under a muted, overcast sky. The reservoir's dam is visible, with its grassy slopes patterned by faint lines, possibly from drainage or landscaping. A small, solitary structure sits atop the dam. The overall atmosphere is serene and somewhat melancholic, with the muted colors and overcast sky contributing to a feeling of quiet solitude.

Under it, in ruins, is the Coburn tower.

Serene, wide shot of a reservoir nestled between snow-dusted mountains under a grey, overcast sky. The water is calm, reflecting the muted light. A small, solitary building is visible on the right bank. The overall mood is quiet and peaceful, with a slightly melancholic atmosphere due to the muted colours and weather.

Megget Water information board.

Informational display panel detailing the Megget Water Supply Scheme in Edinburgh, Scotland. The panel includes maps illustrating the water catchment area, reservoirs, pipelines, and the distribution network across the Lothian region. The text provides historical context on Edinburgh's water supply, explaining the scheme's development in two stages to meet the growing demand, including technical specifications, administration details, and funding sources. The overall message conveys the significance of the Megget Scheme in ensuring a sufficient and sustainable water supply for Edinburgh.
Snow-dusted landscape, possibly in a mountainous region. A small reservoir or lake is visible in the valley, with a dam structure at its base. The foreground is a gently sloping hillside, also dusted with snow. Sparse, leafless trees dot the landscape.

As we returned to our starting point, the light rapidly dissipated.⁣

Snow-dusted Christmas tree decorated with colourful lights in the front yard of a whitewashed cottage. Fairy lights also string along a wooden fence bordering the yard. The scene is set in a rural area, with a muted, dusky sky in the background. The overall impression is one of peaceful, quiet Christmas charm in a wintry setting.

Charlie's Christmas Tree!