Léonie Cooper

Charlie, Ninestanes Rig, 13th August 2023

August 2023

15th

Charlie loaded / transported five tup lambs to Longtown C & D Auctions this morning. One tup lamb dropped out with a bad eye, another two ewe lambs from this flock were also kept behind. We plan to keep the weaned lambs on the paddock due to high mortality rate at two of our grasskeeps.

Leonie standing in front of a rustic wooden fence and gate. She is wearing a white knit hat and a polka dot dress under a cardigan. She appears to be in a farm setting, next to a simple, dark-coloured tarp structure that likely serves as a shelter or barn. A blue trailer is partially visible in the foreground to the right. The overall mood is somewhat sombre or pensive.

Charlie tending to a small flock of sheep. Three sheep are inside a trailer hitched to a dark-coloured SUV. He is wearing a red and black plaid shirt, and is standing next to a wooden fence, looking at the sheep in the trailer. The setting appears to be a rural area, with a hillside and a building visible in the background, suggesting a farm. The overall scene conveys a sense of everyday rural life and animal husbandry.

Charlie wearing a red and black plaid shirt and jeans, bending down and holding a sheep. The sheep appears to be calm. They are in a rustic, wooden enclosure with straw on the ground. The overall setting appears to be a farm or rural area. He seems to be carefully handling the sheep, possibly tending to it or administering some treatment.

Arriving we were shocked to hear somebody had wrongfully insinuated us wasting two full breakfasts at the auction café. I replied that last week a friend had come with us, had left the most part of a small breakfast, not being able to finish it. Other than that, we [me and Charlie] enjoy breakfast here, finishing our plates clean; beggars belief how lies continue to incur social ruin, everywhere I go. Incremental but sustained defamation of character [civil] or moreover malicious communications [criminal], Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm.

Flock of sheep, predominantly white with black markings on their faces and legs, crowded together inside a livestock pen. The pen is indoors, under a metal roof with skylights. The sheep appear to be in a market or auction setting. The focus is on a few sheep in the foreground, with their faces clearly visible. The overall impression is one of confinement and the routine handling of livestock.

Some quality sheep were in the pens, awaiting auction. An elderly couple received a silver trophy in the auction room, although I am not sure what exactly for; although I'll this research later. There was an incredibly rusty, old tractor parked in the auction car park, I took some pictures as I wondered if this vehicle was still fit for use.

Rusty, old International Harvester 484 tractor. It's parked in a lot, near another tractor and a car, suggesting a farm or agricultural setting. The overall condition of the tractor indicates it's been used extensively and hasn't been well-maintained. The background includes a building and some other equipment, further emphasising a working, possibly rural, auction.

I thought this International Harvester 484 may have been used on a beach, maybe to rake sand, or to pull boats but Charlie believes this 50 hp early 1980s tractor to have been used as a scrapper.

Close-up view of the rusty, heavily weathered rear hitch mechanism of an old tractor. The tractor's registration plate, HRM 785V, is visible. The overall impression is one of age, wear, and neglect, but also hints at the machine's past agricultural use.

Interior of an old, rusty tractor cab. The view from the driver's seat looks out onto a parking lot with several cars visible through a dirty and dusty windshield. A green warning sticker is visible across the top of the windshield. The tractor's steering wheel, dashboard, and controls are worn and show significant signs of age and use.

Close-up view of the front of an old, rusty International Harvester 484 tractor. The tractor shows significant wear and tear, with rust visible on the body and exposed mechanical parts. The focus is on the engine compartment and the front wheel. The background shows a parking lot with other vehicles.

We arrived and seated ourselves outside the auction ring. Sheep altogether were bid as single sheep multipled by their quantity. The first two sheep to enter looked sick, I can't recall how much they made but one flock, of about one-hundred sheep, were sold at £169 each.

Interior of a livestock auction mart. A large group of people are gathered around a central ring, where livestock (not visible in this picture) would be sold. Many are standing, others seated on wooden benches in tiered seating areas. The building has a wooden structure with skylights, and advertising posters are visible on the walls. The overall atmosphere appears to be that of a busy auction in progress.

Via returning to Hawick, along the A7, near Teviothead Charlie decided we'd stop to visit the Celtic Blacksmith. The jewelry was outstanding in detail, although beyond affordablity for us without first saving some pennies.

Johnie Armstrong Gallery in Scotland. The building is made of stone, and there are two large golden statues standing on either side of the entrance. A silver Volvo SUV is parked in front of the gallery. A tall, slender stone carving stands in the background to the right of the gallery. The ground is paved with stones, and some sparse grass grows between them. The sky is overcast.

Roadside view of a highway with a sign indicating Celtic Gold and Silver Jewellery and an arrow pointing to a side road. The sky is overcast with dark clouds, and the background displays a tranquil green landscape with gently rolling hills. The overall feeling is one of a peaceful rural setting, with the sign hinting at a local business or attraction nearby.

We loaded chaff into a container, the contents will be incrimentally fed to the sheep throughout the coming winter months.

Charlie's hand holding a pile of what appears to be chaff or the byproduct of threshing grain. The chaff is light brownish-yellow and consists of small pieces of stems and seed husks. The background is blurred but shows a large quantity of similar material.

Close-up view of a partially filled metal agricultural bucket or scoop attached to a green piece of farm machinery. The bucket is filled with dried, light brown, fibrous material, presumably hay or straw. The setting appears to be a barn or farm outbuilding, with glimpses of other farm equipment and buildings in the background.

Large, black cylindrical container filled with light-coloured granular material, possibly feed or grain, sitting on a wooden pallet inside a barn. The background features a view of a harvested field with hay bales under a cloudy sky. A piece of farm equipment is visible in the distance.

Soon, a few more months they'll return to the farmhouse from grasskeep, and stay in the sheltered warmth of a poly tunnel. This year the flock will be halved from sixty to thirty, because of condensation we are also improving ventilation.

Gently sloping field, largely harvested and dotted with numerous round hay bales. The field extends upwards to a tree line on a hill under a dramatic, heavily clouded sky. The foreground shows a grassy area with some shrubs and a simple gate. Two prominent trees frame the view, one on each side. The overall mood is one of rural tranquillity despite the somewhat menacing sky.

Leaving Bowden I got Charlie to stop the 4x4 and took a picture of a combine harvest, Charlie remarked at the width of the header, remembering his old combine was only 8ft in width.

Yellow New Holland combine harvester in a field of harvested wheat or barley. The sky is dramatically overcast with dark, brooding clouds that suggest an impending storm. The contrast between the bright yellow of the machine and the dark, stormy sky is striking. The overall impression is one of a powerful machine working against the elements, suggesting the hard work and challenges of agriculture.

Along the A7 between a road closure there was a serious road traffic accident. Arriving at Selkirk we spoke to a traffic officer who confirmed the ettrick road an OK diversion to get to Ashkirk. Along the hillside I took some pictures.

Picturesque pastoral landscape under a partly cloudy sky. Rolling green hills and fields, dotted with sheep, stretch into the distance. Darker green forests are interspersed with the fields. In the foreground, a wire fence runs along the bottom, separating the viewer from the pasture.

Charlie knows these pretty blue flowers as Grandmothers Bonnet but information on the internet reads different. My plant mobile phone app recognised these bonnie blue flowers name to be Harebell.

Close-up view of several delicate, light purple bell-shaped flowers, likely a type of harebell, glistening with raindrops. They are growing amidst long blades of vibrant green grass in a field, with a few other wildflowers and dried grasses visible in the background. The sky is overcast, suggesting a recently passed rain shower. The overall impression is one of serene natural beauty after a rain.

Close-up view of several purple bell-shaped flowers, likely a species of harebell, covered in raindrops. The flowers hang delicately from their stems against a backdrop of a blurred, green grassy field under a cloudy sky. The overall impression is one of gentle beauty and the freshness of a recent rain shower.

Today was long, and tonight I there are many auditory hallucinations chanting negative obscenity through my mind.

13th

My new iPhone 14 arrived via courier today… I took a panoramic picture of our farm with the camera this morning. The phone is new, but the model is now a year old, this is the most recent iPhone I've owned. My last iPhone was 11.

Panoramic view of a rural farm scene. In the foreground, there's a muddy area with a temporary sheep shelter covered by a black tarp. An old tractor is partially visible near the shelter. To the left and right are stone buildings, indicative of a farm house or outbuildings. A man is seen sitting near a Land Rover parked in the yard.

Early afternoon we weaned lambs from our grass keep, here there are two fenced areas we are using, the area they was in was out of grass so there was not much trouble moving them. We are keeping two ewe lambs from this flock, and auctioning four tups as store lambs.

Flock of sheep huddled together in a wooden enclosure. The sheep are predominantly white with some flecks of grey or darker coloring on some of their faces. They appear to be in a rural setting, with hedges and trees visible in the background. One sheep has a distinct pink mark on its back. Several sheep have yellow ear tags.

The mother ewes were slightly stressed at having their lambs taken, but after ten minutes they were busy eating grass as if nothing had happened.

Charlie gently lifting a sheep over a wooden fence. The sheep appears calm. Other sheep are gathered on the other side of the fence. A blue farm trailer is partially visible in the background. The scene is set in a rural area with trees and greenery. A wooden sign reading Deanburn Lodge is visible in the foreground. The overall impression is one of quiet rural activity, possibly related to farming or animal husbandry.

Charlie carrying a sheep in a rural setting. He is near a wooden fence, behind which a flock of sheep are gathered. A blue trailer is partially visible in the background suggesting the sheep are being moved or transported. The overall atmosphere of the image is one of farm life and animal husbandry.

Charlie loading a small, blue trailer attached to a dark-coloured SUV. The trailer contains wooden planks and straw. Charlie, wearing a plaid shirt, jeans, and rubber boots, is lowering a wooden ramp or board from the trailer's back. Several sheep are visible in a pen nearby.

Flock of sheep huddled together inside a dark, wooden enclosure. The sheep are light-colored with thick wool. A small window in the enclosure provides a glimpse of green trees and foliage outside. The overall setting appears to be a livestock trailer or temporary holding pen. The lighting is dim, highlighting the sheep and the contrast between the dark wood and the lighter wool.

Driving though the forest tracks, breaking grit, we noticed a disused station; Charlie said spite had closed the railway line to inflict poverty by cutting off economic prosperity; telling that people had historically placed their livelihood upon the train carriages.

Landscape photograph of a vast, undulating field of tall grasses in the foreground. Beyond this, a valley stretches out, leading to a dark green forest covering rolling hills under a dramatic sky. The sky is a mixture of dark, brooding clouds and patches of bright blue, suggesting a potentially stormy yet beautiful atmosphere. The overall impression is one of serene, wild, and somewhat untamed nature.

We noticed and stopped to take a picture of huge shaddy ink cap mushrooms growing from the gravel track.

Single mushroom, standing tall amidst a patch of grass. The mushroom cap is a light grey-white, appearing somewhat shaggy or scaly, with a darker, almost black, ring at its base. The stem is long and light-coloured, contrasting with the darker cap. The surrounding vegetation is primarily composed of various grasses and low-lying plants.

Single, mature mushroom growing in a bed of grass and pine needles. The mushroom has a large, round cap with a textured, shaggy surface, appearing pale off-white or light grey. The stem is relatively short and white. The surrounding vegetation suggests a natural, possibly woodland setting.

Blue sign that reads RICCARTON JUNCTION partially obscured by overgrown vegetation. The sign is set in a wild, unkempt area with tall grasses and various shrubs. The background suggests a rural or natural setting with trees visible in the distance under a partly cloudy sky. The overall impression is one of neglect or abandonment, as the sign appears to be in a forgotten location.

The track came to an end, about one-thousand yards from Ninestanes Rig. We walked over felled trees and then down a marshy footpath towards the circle stones.

Grassy field or moorland under a partly cloudy sky. In the foreground, there are several partially visible, moss-covered stones, possibly remnants of a stone structure or alignment. In the background, a line of dark trees is visible against the horizon. The overall impression is one of a tranquil, somewhat remote, and perhaps historically significant landscape.

“At the Skelf-hill, the cauldron still
The men of Liddesdale can show
And on the spot, where they boiled the pot,
The spreat and the deer-hair ne'er shall grow.”.

Moss-covered stone partially embedded in tall grass, situated in a field against the backdrop of a dark green forest and a partly cloudy sky. The stone has a white marking on its surface. The overall atmosphere is serene and peaceful.

Weathered, moss-covered stone standing upright in a field of tall grass under a partly cloudy sky. The stone is partially lichen-covered, giving it a mottled appearance of dark gray and white. The scene evokes a sense of age, quiet solitude, and the passage of time. The combination of natural elements suggests a remote, possibly wild, location.

Mossy rock partially submerged in tall grass under a partly cloudy sky. The rock appears weathered and ancient, possibly suggesting a historical or natural landmark. The setting is a vast, open moorland or grassland, with a distant line of trees and hills visible on the horizon. The overall mood is serene and somewhat melancholic, with a sense of quietude and the passage of time.

Charlie at the Ninestanes Rig.

Charlie standing in a grassy field, which appears to be a moorland or similar habitat. Two moss-covered stones or posts are visible in the foreground, flanking a narrow path leading towards him. In the background, a line of trees and a mostly clear blue sky with some clouds are visible.

These are the lambs we transported today from Denholm.

Flock of sheep huddled together in a dimly lit barn or shed. The floor is covered with a thick layer of straw. The structure appears rustic, with exposed wooden beams and a temporary-looking fabric roof. A single light bulb provides minimal illumination.

Exterior of a whitewashed building at night, illuminated by a single, warm-toned light fixture mounted on the wall. A dark, possibly wooden, structure resembling a small greenhouse or storage unit is situated against the wall near a window that shows the warm glow of an interior light. The scene is quiet and peaceful, with a dark, natural backdrop of trees and a fence suggesting a rural setting. The overall mood is one of calmness and solitude.

We are keeping two ewe lambs, the other remaining four are going to auction as store lambs.

12th

We, Charlie and a friend, drove through heavy rain to visit the Craik forest, and commenced a brisk two-mile walk to burn off some troublesome excess weight. The forest was verdant, and there were no midges present.

Panoramic view of a small stream flowing through a lush green forest. The stream is relatively shallow and appears to have a muddy bottom. A fallen log lies partially submerged in the water, and moss covers many of the exposed tree roots and logs along the banks. The forest is dense with tall, slender trees, mostly evergreens.

Incredible amount of peaty foam building up here, has the appearance of frothy coffee.

Panoramic view of a serene stream flowing through a lush green forest. Tall, slender pine trees line the banks of the stream, which is relatively shallow and features some fallen logs acting as natural bridges. The ground is covered in moss and ferns, creating a vibrant, verdant landscape.

I could not figure why they'd taken the bridge down, other than suspecting that maybe something terrible might have happened here.

Panoramic view of a stream flowing through a lush green forest. The stream splits into two channels before reuniting further downstream. The forest is dense with tall, slender trees, and the ground is covered with vibrant green moss and ferns. A small, dark-coloured dog is partially visible near the stream's edge in the middle ground.

I am at the farmhouse by an open fire this evening, enjoying the brush of wild wind racing through this hillside of the Scottish Borders countryside.

9th

Today I taught myself how to wind a bobbin, on my classic Singer sewing machine. How late this learning has arrived in my life, I'm almost fifty years old!

Watching back I see I'd not loop the thread properly.

Initially I am using this machine to mend clothes, although I plan to make a dress for ceilidh, and also making curtain / cushions for the farmhouse.

8th

Charlie loaded six tup lambs and one old cast ewe [who I'd named big bag] for transportation to Longtown as store lambs [one month fattened up for slaughter]. We had planned to take eleven, but two lambs dropped out with orf that had manifest onto their mouths, and another inflicted with anterior uveitis infection. One of the mother ewes watched as her two tup lambs were being loaded, herself only recently recovering from anterior uveitis, rendering her almost blind in both eyes. She rocked bleating in anguish; a farm is rarely distraught.

Collection of sheep in pens at what appears to be a livestock auction or market. The sheep are various colours, primarily white and black, and some have yellow ear tags. The focus is on a few sheep in the foreground, with others visible in the background within the confines of the red metal pens. The overall setting is a large, indoor barn-like structure.

We enjoyed a full breakfast at the mart cafe then showed our friend around the pens. We searched for sometime for our sheep, until overhearing Big Bag twenty pens away. We often stop for a rest, take our woes to the riverside, by Eweswater. This length of river is scenic, and often used by holiday makers as a free overnight parkup.

Panoramic photograph depicts a tranquil river scene. The river, relatively shallow and clear, flows gently through a grassy landscape. Trees line the riverbanks, creating a natural frame. A parking lot with several cars is visible in the background on the right, suggesting a public area. A small park-like area with a bench is seen on the left. The overall impression is one of serenity and natural beauty. The sky is bright, partly sunny with fluffy clouds.

Driving from Langholm to Roberton, Charlie stopped at a gravestone, he wrongly presumed was errected for somebody's pet but found out to be in memory of poet Henry Scott Riddell (1798-1870), a native of Sorbie, north of Langholm, Dumfries & Galloway, and author [while out for a walk in a lonely glen at Teviothead] of Scotland Yet:

Weathered gray granite headstone, erected in memory of Henry Scott Riddell, a poet and author of Scotland Yet. The inscription provides his birth date (September 23rd, 1798 near this location) and death date (July 30th, 1870 in Teviothead). The headstone sits on a slightly lower stone base, surrounded by grass and some low-lying weeds. A wooden fence is partially visible in the background. The overall impression is one of a quiet, rural setting marking the grave of a relatively obscure but celebrated poet. — Lonely author Henry Scott Riddell.

Charlie went to work in the afternoon, whilst I attacked the dock leaf infestation with both lawn mower and strimmer. During the evening we drove the 4x4 into the Craik Forest, just for a small drive to wind down from the day.

Tranquil scene of a small lake nestled within a lush, verdant forest. The setting sun casts a warm glow across the sky, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. Wildflowers in the foreground add a touch of vibrant colour to the landscape, enhancing its natural beauty. The overall mood is one of calm and quietude, evocative of the peace of nature.

Returning to the farmhouse, we noticed an angry woman walking alone; we reversed our 4x4 to enquire if she was OK, maybe needed a lift? She admitted she was angry and upset, but did not require any assistance. I said to Charlie that just by offering her help could prevent a suicide attempt, knowing that somebody cares enough to be concern about another.

7th

We invited our friend over to the farmhouse, she cooked us curry. Quite upset that the council have rehoused her into a flat with nothing in it, no cooker, fridge, washing machine, not even a carpet. She has been waiting for almost two months for these items, of which she's entitled, to be delivered.

6th

Rested today, one of the lambs has maggot infestation, Charlie treated her with Jeyes Fluid, as the fly spray [Crovect] doesn't appear to be shifting them, contrary to the instruction claim displayed on the rear of the bottle. Some days its OK not to post any pictures, or write much here during days that take leave from me.