November 2023

29th

Baked a fruit cake.

Round, dark brown fruitcake sitting on a black plate on a wooden surface. The cake appears dense and moist, with visible dried fruit throughout. The lighting is somewhat dim, emphasising the rich, dark colour of the cake. The background is slightly blurred but shows a kitchen counter with various kitchen items.

Oven was slightly too hot.

26th

Rounding up the sheep at Bothendean, they HAVE TO RETURN TO WOODBURN TODAY.

Charlie tending to sheep in a field. A dark-coloured SUV and a trailer are parked near a wooden fence bordering the field. The scene is rural and somewhat overcast. The focus is on the Charlie working with the sheep, situated between a house and the pasture.

Looked simple, however it wasn't that easy.

Rural scene with a small, white cottage nestled behind a neatly trimmed hedge. In the foreground, there's a weathered, blue animal trailer parked next to a rustic wooden fence. A section of the fence forms a V-shape, possibly directing livestock. A silver SUV is partially visible behind the trailer.
Grey Land Rover Freelander parked on a grassy field next to a fence. The sky is overcast. The vehicle is angled slightly away from the camera, showing its rear and side. A spare tire is visible mounted on the rear door.
Three sheep are grazing in a short-grass field, near a grey Land Rover parked on a slight rise. Bare winter trees form a backdrop, and a faint, distant hill is visible under a cloudy sky. A small shed is located in the left background. The overall mood is peaceful, possibly slightly melancholic due to the muted colours and leafless trees.

Gotcha!

Several sheep confined within a rustic wooden pen. The sheep are predominantly white with thick, fluffy wool. At least one sheep has coloured tags in its ears. The pen is made of weathered wooden planks and appears to be in a muddy, outdoor setting.
Farmer in overalls guiding a sheep into a trailer attached to a dark-grey Land Rover. The trailer is made of wood and metal, and has a ramp for the sheep to enter. A wooden fence is visible in the foreground. The setting appears to be a rural area.
Charlie in blue overalls and a beige hat, seen from behind, loading what appears to be a trailer full of turf or sod. The trailer is attached to a dark-grey Land Rover. The scene is set in a rural area, with a wooden fence and greenery in the background. The overall impression is of farm work or landscaping.

Hurdles had to be returned also.

Weathered, blue trailer at night. The trailer is loaded with a pile of wooden planks or posts. The setting appears rural, possibly a farm or field, as suggested by a visible gate in the background. The overall mood is dark and slightly mysterious due to the low light conditions.

It was late, we were both tired but glad to be resting back at the farmhouse.

25th

We have cleared Nether Whitlaw of sheep, returning the flock to the farmhouse poly tunnel. Today we transported another nine sheep from Bowden, there is only four left now to transport from this grass keep before the tenancy finished on the 28th. We always get swarmed by passing cars at Bowden, so I am now taking pictures of them.

Seven sheep standing in a row in front of a green hedge. One sheep is black and grey, while the others are white. The ground in front of them is muddy.
Close-up view of a sheep's face. The sheep is surrounded by other sheep with fluffy, curly wool of varying shades of grey and white. A human figure, a farmer possibly, is visible in the background, partially obscured by a wooden fence. The setting appears to be a farm or pasture on a sunny day, with a blue sky in the background. The overall impression is one of rural life and animal husbandry.

At the farmhouse the heating oil has decided to freeze, I've poured four kettles of hot water onto the pipes to no avail. An hour, for two hours in sub-zero temperatures, Charlie attempted to bypass the pipe but ran short of olives so left the job, at least for the evening, unfinished. Now the mud has frozen, I am awaiting the snow, winter is my favourite time, the land is so beautiful when complimented in snowy Whiteness.

Close-up view of frost-covered grass. The blades of grass are heavily coated in a layer of white frost, creating a textured and visually interesting pattern. The overall colour palette is dark and cool, with the white frost contrasting sharply against the dark green of the grass.

The night has been very cold, a kind neighbour gifted us with two bags of logs, so at least we were inside a warm room. Whilst Charlie was outside, I persevered with the decorating job on the farmhouse hallway, this is now about 70% complete. I have not blogged about decorating much, as I wanted to keep inside the farmhouse private; this is Charlie's home that he lovingly shares with me.

24th

Optimising and formating pages on this website, between frequently visiting the toilet with diarrhea and attempting to rest with moderate to severe stomach cramps, because I still have a parasite infestation. Waiting on further test results to return, before the doctor will look into this matter further, been a week since another stool test and yet no result.

23rd

Today I purchased and placed two glade air fresheners into my flat block stair well. The neighbour's visitor is clearing bin liners, some torn, stuffed full of ABDL soiled nappies from the neighbouring Adult Baby Diaper Lovers flat, into his car before returning to collect yet more bags; this loading has been happening for days. Her flat must have been filled from floor to roof with these soiled nappies; at first I thought she was dying, but I have recently learned she is mentally unwell.

High-angle, long shot of a person placing a large black garbage bag into the trunk of a black Jaguar sedan parked on a residential street. The trunk is open, and the person is positioned behind the car. The street is bordered by a low stone curb and a strip of grass. The overall scene is mundane and unremarkable.

The rank smell in the corridor is nauseating whilst her door is open during transportation of these black bin bags. I've made a verbal complaint to the Scottish Borders council, and my council officer has herself witnessed the problem today; stating it's not just an anti-social matter but is also a matter of health concern for her welfare. I have been living above this neighbour for a year now, and it churns my stomach to know the filth that has been steaming away underneath me.

21st

Charlie works with Limousin cattle.

Group of brown calves inside a barn at night. They are standing close together in a feeding trough, their heads visible above the metal bars. The barn’s aged wooden structure is dimly lit by overhead lights.
Long line of cattle inside a dimly lit barn. The animals are mostly brown and black, standing close together in rows. The barn itself is quite old, with exposed beams and brick walls, and is sparsely lit by several overhead lights. The floor is covered in straw or hay. The overall mood is one of quiet, rustic agricultural life.
Dimly lit barn interior at night. A line of brown and reddish-brown cattle stand in feeding stalls, their backs to the camera. A human figure is visible in the background, near the barn's entrance. The overall scene depicts a typical agricultural setting in a cattle farm.
Dark, dimly lit barn interior. A tractor is positioned centrally, facing the viewer, with rows of cattle in individual stalls on either side. The barn's structure is visible, featuring a corrugated metal roof. The overall atmosphere is one of rustic farm life at night. The hay strewn on the barn floor adds to the rural and agricultural context.

Sometimes I join him at work feeding the cattle.

19th

Early afternoon we drove along the Roberton to Ashkirk road.

Cluster of bright orange mushrooms nestled in a bed of vibrant green moss. The mushrooms are round and appear moist, glistening slightly. The moss is dense and covers most of the frame, providing a lush, natural backdrop. The overall impression is one of vibrant life and the beauty found in small details of nature.

Strange fungi growing on the trees along the way.

Close-up view of vibrant orange fungi, specifically Tremella mesenterica, commonly known as yellow brain fungus or witches' butter, growing on a tree trunk. The background is blurred, showing an overcast sky and a hint of a natural landscape. The focus is sharply on the bright orange, textured fungus against the muted colours of the tree bark and the sky.
Close-up view of bright orange fungi growing on the trunk of a tree. The fungi are clustered together, creating a visually striking contrast against the grey and brown bark. The background is blurred, suggesting a natural, outdoor setting, likely a forest or wooded area. The overall impression is one of organic beauty and the fascinating details of nature.

To fetch the last remaining sheep grazing at Selkirk grass keep.

Flock of sheep gathered in a pen, with a mountain range visible in the background. The sheep, primarily white, are contained within a wooden fence and appear calm. The scene is rural, peaceful and suggests a farm setting. A corrugated metal sheet forms part of the pen's structure. The overall mood is serene.

Charlie ushering eight ewes and one tup lamb into a multipurpose trailer; stronger but smaller than those expensive aluminium trailers that end their usefulness dented.

The lamb tup was segregated into the paddock, he gazed at his eight ewes for half an hour before forgetting about their departure to graze. He was prolifically bullied by an elder tup at grass keep, so much they had to seperated.

Light-grey sheep standing in the foreground on a grassy hillside, looking directly at the camera. A darker-coloured sheep is visible further up the hill in the background. The sky is a clear blue with some clouds. The overall scene is peaceful and pastoral.

The polly tunnel is this year filled to half capacity, there are another thirteen ewes to transport here from grass keep, then we'll inject all of this flock with cydectin to erradicate and protect the flock from parasitic infestation. After recieving this cydectin injection the flock cannot be sold for four months!

Flock of sheep housed inside a rustic barn. The barn is covered with a temporary, tarp-like structure suggesting it may be a makeshift shelter or a temporary winter enclosure. The sheep are resting on a bed of straw. A single light bulb provides dim illumination.

All these ewes should be in lamb, were expecting the new-born lambs to be birthed between mid-Febuary to late March 2024. However our Zwartble could be earlier; Charlie doubts the Herdwick being in lamb this year and stated they'll be cade lambs to look after again.

18th

Pheasants and Jackdaws gather in the farm yard and peck at spilt chaff.

Aerial view of a farmyard scene. Several crows or similar black birds are gathered around a pile of grain or feed. In the background are various pieces of farm equipment including what appears to be an old horse trailer, a tractor, and other rusty trailers and containers. The overall setting appears to be a somewhat neglected or rustic working farm. The ground is muddy and strewn with debris. A section of a building's roof is visible in the foreground.
Vintage gents' restroom sign. It's a dark-coloured, possibly cast iron or metal sign, shaped like a stylised T, with the word GENTS in gold lettering at the top. The main body of the sign features a three-dimensional relief sculpture of a man in a red sweater vest and light-colored trousers, appearing to be in a slightly uncomfortable, possibly urgent, posture related to needing to use the restroom. The overall style is humorous and slightly whimsical, typical of older pub or public house signage.
Taxidermy fox head mounted on a dark brown, shield-shaped plaque. The fox's mouth is open, revealing its teeth, and its expression appears aggressive or snarling. The fur is reddish-brown, and there is some visible wear or damage to the taxidermy, particularly around the jaw.
Vintage ladies' restroom sign. It's a dark-coloured, fan-shaped plaque with the word LADIES in gold lettering at the top. Below the lettering is a three-dimensional carved figure of a woman in a dress, depicted in a crouching posture suggesting she needs to use the restroom. The overall style is whimsical and slightly humorous.

Later we visited a small, quiet pub in Denholm, and enjoyed a game of pool.

12th

Today I have quit smoking; tired with coughing my lungs up. Early morning the temperature dropped to -7c; everywhere is coated in whiteness, my favourite time of the year in bonnie Scotland. Symptoms of sickness linked to a parasite infestation I suffered a month ago has returned, forcing another visit to the doctors, fearing these parasites may have evolved to be anti-biotic resistant. Tonight we watched a folk duo named Winter Wilson, the singer boring us with her family history said she were originally from the hermit Isle of Lewis, ugh.

Man and a woman, possibly a musical duo, performing on a stage. The man is playing an acoustic guitar, while the woman stands beside him, possibly singing. Both are dressed in casual yet stylish attire. The setting appears to be a small, possibly community hall with wooden floors and exposed beams. Musical instruments, including a guitar, banjo, and microphone stand, are visible on the stage. The overall atmosphere is intimate and suggests a live acoustic performance.
These highlighted performers believe themselves to be tinted perfume, so much more deserving than us humble, ugly folk; they forget salt comes from the earth, through our sweat and tears.

They performed songs written about their life, themed on with and without disparity, displacement, were interesting, but I could not believe they had not of written about anybody, somebody they'd met along their long winding road. As we enjoyed a bottle of white wine, our glasses incurred comment, against a plastic glass "Winter" held in her hand. I thought: my partner is a grafting farm hand; he feeds you whilst you pick up an instrument and play music to us. Marxists alienate themselves from workers because Marx never worked.

11th

Midday we drove to the Eskdalemuir forest, from the north turning west before the village we followed the Roman and Reivers footpath towards Loch fell.

Tranquil lake scene under a vibrant blue sky. The sun, positioned near the centre, shines brightly, its rays reflected on the calm water's surface. Dark green evergreen forests line both sides of the lake, creating a natural frame. The sky features a few scattered, fluffy white clouds, adding contrast to the clear blue expanse.

Alemoor Loch, displeased with a large amount of firework litter I discovered here.

Tranquil lake scene under a vibrant blue sky. The lake is calm, with subtle ripples on its dark blue surface. The far shore is lined with dark green evergreen trees, suggesting a forest, with a few hints of autumnal color visible in the foliage. The overall impression is one of serenity and natural beauty.

Driving through Eskdalemuir forest.

Panoramic view of a landscape featuring a grey Land Rover parked on a dirt road. The road cuts through a vast expanse of young coniferous trees that stretch to the horizon, nestled in rolling hills under a partly cloudy sky. The scene evokes a sense of openness, space, and the quiet beauty of a remote, possibly rural, location.
Landscape dominated by a vast expanse of coniferous trees, primarily young fir trees in a plantation. The foreground features tall grasses, while the background presents a rolling landscape with more mature forest under a dramatic sky filled with fluffy, dark clouds and patches of clear blue. The scene suggests a rural, possibly mountainous, region. The overall feeling is one of serene, natural beauty despite the somewhat brooding sky.
Leonie standing in a field, looking out at a vast landscape of rolling hills and a forest in the distance under a partly cloudy sky. She's wearing a navy blue polka dot dress and a white knit hat. The foreground is dominated by tall, dry grass. The overall feeling is one of serenity and expansive space.
Panoramic view of rolling hills and valleys under a partly cloudy sky. The sun is partially visible behind a large cloud, casting shadows across the landscape. The hills are covered in dark, low-lying vegetation, with patches of lighter green visible in some areas. The overall mood is serene and somewhat dramatic due to the interplay between light and shadow.
Sweeping vista of a valley, likely in a mountainous or hilly region. The valley floor is a patchwork of brown and green, suggesting possibly cleared land or fields interspersed with patches of vegetation. A small stream or river meanders through the valley bottom. The valley is surrounded by dark green coniferous forests stretching up the hillsides. The sky is a dramatic mix of dark, brooding clouds and patches of clear blue, suggesting late afternoon or early evening light. The overall feeling is one of rugged natural beauty, possibly hinting at a sense of solitude or quiet contemplation. The foreground includes some sparse vegetation, drawing the viewer's eye into the landscape.

We refuelled in Lockerbie, purchased sandwiches and Langholm, then arrived back at the farmhouse sleepy tired, and slept early for a duration of twelve hours!