April 2024

11th

We transported ewes and lambs, from the farmhouse to the grasskeep. Some ewes already at grasskeep appeared to want to return to the farmhouse.

Charlie in dark overalls and Wellington boots guiding a sheep into a small, blue, wooden trailer. The trailer is attached to a vehicle and is parked on a grassy area next to a wooden fence. The setting appears to be a rural farm, with farm buildings and trees in the background.
Young, white lamb standing in a grassy field. The lamb has dark markings on its legs and a yellow tag in its ear. It appears to be healthy and well-cared for.

Many of the black sheep haven't been sold as they have been good mothers, the mother ewe pictured below raised her lambs without any intervention.

Brown sheep standing behind two black lambs as they graze in a lush green pasture. The scene is peaceful and pastoral, depicting a common sight in rural settings.
Close-up of a young lamb, predominantly white with black markings on its face and ears. The lamb is nestled against its mother, a larger sheep whose fleece is visible in the background. Both sheep have ear tags. The background is blurred, showing a grassy field.

Charlie introduced a Zwartble ewe into the Teeswater herd to increase failing Teeswater ewe milk production.

Newborn lamb suckling from its mother in a lush green pasture. The lamb is light-coloured with a small blue mark visible on its side, and the mother sheep has long, somewhat dirty or matted wool. The scene conveys a sense of nature, motherhood, and the cycle of life.
Close-up of a young lamb's face. The lamb is predominantly white with some darker grey/black markings on its nose and ears. Its ears are marked with green plastic tags. The background is blurred but shows another sheep and some green grass. The overall impression is one of a cute and somewhat vulnerable young animal.

Called in to the bungalow I am supposed to be moving into tree months ago, to found nothing changed inside. We then visited our other grasskeep.

Young, fluffy lamb standing in a field. The lamb is predominantly white with a slightly darker face and has pinkish ears. The background is blurred but shows a natural, somewhat wooded environment with sparse vegetation. The overall impression is one of peaceful rural life.
Close-up profile view of a young, white sheep. Its fleece is thick and slightly dirty, and its ears are a pinkish-red. The sheep's expression is gentle and somewhat pensive. The background is blurred, but shows green grass.
Four sheep, likely a ewe and three lambs, huddled together in a grassy field. The sheep are light-coloured, with wool that appears somewhat matted or dirty. One lamb is lying down, seemingly smaller than the others, suggesting it may be the youngest.

Charlie called into work, fetched straw and got called in to feed the cattle before returning to Hawick. Waiting I took pictures of a newborn calf, and some peacocks.

White pigeon perched on a ledge, partially sheltered under a wooden structure. Another, darker pigeon is partially visible in the background. The focus is primarily on the white pigeon, which appears to be a young bird. The overall tone is muted and somewhat shadowy, due to the setting.
Group of reddish-brown cows resting in a barn. They are lying down in straw, and appear to be calm and content. The cows are close together, suggesting a herd mentality or a sense of community.

How now brown cow.

Newborn brown calf lying in a bed of straw. The calf appears wet and its fur is slightly curly. Part of another animal's leg (possibly the mother cow's) is visible in the background. The overall impression is one of new life and vulnerability.

Calf born not long been born, mother coo was still licking cleansing.

Close-up profile view of a peahen's head and neck. The focus is sharp on the bird, which is mostly in profile, with its head turned slightly towards the viewer. Its crest is partially raised, and its iridescent blue-green feathers are visible on its neck. The background is blurred and dark, drawing attention to the peahen.
Female peacock (peahen) standing in a barn. The peahens's plumage is predominantly grey and brown, with a hint of iridescent blue-green on its neck. The setting appears to be a rustic, farm-like environment, with hay on the floor, various buckets, and a yellow stepladder visible in the background. The overall mood is quiet and observational, focusing on the bird in its somewhat unkempt surroundings.
Peacock with its tail feathers fully spread in a vibrant display. The peacock is standing in front of a stone wall and a weathered wooden door. The background is somewhat muted, drawing focus to the peacock's brilliant plumage.
Peacock with its tail feathers fully displayed. The vibrant blue of the peacock's body contrasts beautifully with the iridescent green and blue eyespots on its train. The focus is sharp on the peacock's head and neck, gradually softening towards the edges of the expansive tail feathers.
Peacock displaying its magnificent tail feathers against a stone wall. The wall features a window with moss growing on the sill, and a weathered blue door is partially visible to the right. The peacock is positioned slightly off-centre, its body facing away from the viewer while its tail feathers are fully spread. The overall tone is naturalistic, capturing a moment of the bird's natural behavior.
Peacock displaying its magnificent tail feathers. The peacock is positioned with its back to the camera, its tail fanned out fully, showcasing the intricate patterns and iridescent colours. The bird is standing in front of a stone wall with a window and a weathered blue door. The setting appears to be outdoors.

In the evening moi and Charlie entertained a friend named Robert; hosting I cooked a big pot of Panackelty of which we shared. Circumstance prohibited hospitality for many years.

9th

I surmised the prevailing winds drying out land surrounding the farmhouse, but relentless rain returned placing rippling puddles everywhere. We arrived to a near empty cattle market at Longtown, we autioned three ewes and lambs at £70 a life. A huge texel tup and lamb auctioned at £170!

Wooden table with various items on it, seemingly in a domestic setting. The main focus is a British Gas envelope containing important information regarding setting up an online account. Several numbered gas meter tags are prominently displayed in the foreground. A mug with a tractor-related phrase implying a busy or distracted individual is present, along with some paperwork and a partially visible radiator. The overall impression is one of everyday life, possibly in a rural setting, interrupted by administrative tasks related to utility bills. The scene is casual and untidy, conveying a sense of normalcy and perhaps a brief pause in the day's activities.

Seated myself next to an abusive bidder, he was cruel to everybody that passed by him. Today we enjoyed a small breakfast and a cup of strong wake up coffee. We met our neighbour farm selling sheep to preserve grass land; everybody seemed alittle dazed by the state of the weather. This afternoon we lost a lamb to scour.

Dilapidated wooden structure, possibly a gate or part of a livestock trailer, with many of its wooden planks broken or missing. A person's hand is visible, appearing to be interacting with or inspecting the damaged structure. The setting is a rural landscape with a grassy hillside in the background.

Late afternoon Charlie drove to Gateshead, I had messaged a Facebook Market place seller some hours earlier about the sale of a 5 string banjo. Passing over Carter Bar, we over took a Z3, strangely returning on the A68 we were overtook by a Z4. I purchased the banjo for £100, and we drove back to Hawick as the sun was setting.

Partial rainbow arcing in a mostly overcast sky above a flat, dry, brownish field. A simple wire fence is visible in the bottom foreground. The scene is minimalistic and emphasises the contrast between the muted earth tones and the vibrant, though incomplete, rainbow.

I am going to so enjoy learning to play the banjo then additionally writing and composing folk songs.

8th

After turning my attention to feeding cade lambs I reopened the keyboard to add missing parts that I'd left out yesterday. Have a great working keyboard, and additionally the know how to repair if the keyboard breaks or requires additional cleaning.

Blackbird, perched on a dark green, mossy post against a muted grey sky. The bird is predominantly black with a bright orange beak, and is viewed from the side, facing to the right of the frame. The overall mood is somewhat sombre and quiet due to the muted colours and overcast sky.
Jackdaw perched on a weathered, moss-covered wooden post against a muted, overcast sky. The bird is predominantly black, with a grey hood on its head. It's positioned in profile, facing to the left of the frame. The overall mood is sombre and somewhat stark due to the muted colours and the simple composition.

The Apple iMac keyboard, a second hand Ebay purchase, had arrived dirty with an unexpected tipping space bar; I haven't left any buyer feedback for the seller. This afternoon I've been relaxing, psychoanalysing peadophile hunting stings whilst editing pages on this website.

7th

We drove to Ashkirk, then to Selkirk grasskeep to do a welfare check on the sheep. Charlie pulled over at Lindean Loch, I went for a walk, cool down from being triggered.

Panoramic view showcases a serene lake nestled within a landscape of rolling hills and grassy fields. The bright, sunny day is evident in the clear blue sky punctuated by fluffy white clouds, and the sun's reflection glints on the water. Wooden fences line the paths around the lake, suggesting a managed or recreational area. The vegetation is primarily sparse, indicating a possibly late winter or early spring season.

I've visited Lindean Loch last year.

Muddy path winding uphill through a grassy field. In the background, a tall radio or communications tower stands prominently against a mostly clear blue sky with some fluffy white clouds. Sparse, mostly leafless trees and shrubs border the path and rise towards the tower. The overall impression is one of a rural, slightly wild, landscape on a sunny day.

Who knows what the enablers have been doing here since.

Tranquil landscape featuring a line of dark, silhouetted pine trees standing along the edge of a calm body of water, likely a lake or reservoir. The water reflects the light from a partly cloudy sky, creating a shimmering effect. The sky is a mix of bright blue patches and fluffy white and grey clouds, suggesting a day with changeable weather. The overall mood is serene and peaceful, with a stark contrast between the dark trees and the bright sky and water. The foreground includes bare, dark winter branches adding to the moody atmosphere.
Dirt path winding through a grove of leafless trees. The trees are tall and slender, their branches reaching up towards a pale sky with some clouds. A body of water is visible in the background to the left. The overall impression is one of a tranquil, somewhat solitary woodland scene in late winter or early spring.

We also did a welfare check on the sheep at Denholm.

Ewe and her two lambs in a grassy pasture. The ewe has a mostly light gray fleece with dark legs and a black face. The two lambs are smaller versions of the ewe, also with dark legs. They are standing together, looking towards the viewer. The background shows a green field and a wire fence.
Close-up profile view of a young lamb, predominantly white with a small black patch around its mouth. The lamb's thick, fluffy fleece is the main focus, and it appears to be standing in a grassy field. Another lamb is partially visible in the background.

We collected my electronic screwdriver set and later that evening refurbished an Imac keyboard that I'd purchased a month ago from Ebay. There were many rubber springs and tiny screws; filth upon the keyboard plate, trapped inbetween the keys was disgusting.

6th

Woken up in my flat, no nusiance from the adult baby neighbour; perhaps her pale crumpled body has given up, malnourished to death. Farmhouse is undergoing a deep clean, evasively mystifying how the household dust and dirt creeps upon tables, chairs, sideboards etc, in view of being shattered senseless from day and nighttime lambing.

Close-up of a sheep's head and shoulders against a black background. The sheep is predominantly off-white or light beige, with some darker shading and dirt visible on its wool. The focus is sharp on the sheep's face, highlighting its expressive eye and soft muzzle.

Mother ewe inside the polytunnel.

Close-up of a black sheep's face, partially obscured by a fluffy, light-coloured sheep to its left. The black sheep’s dark, woolly coat is prominent, and its face is clearly visible. The background is dark and indistinct.

Mother ewe lamb inside the polytunnel.

Charlie in work overalls holding a newborn lamb. He's standing outside a rustic wooden shed, which appears to be a makeshift lambing pen. There's a water tank visible and various farm implements and materials scattered around. The overall mood is one of rural life and animal husbandry. His expression is not fully visible, but his actions suggest care and concern for the lamb.

Cade lamb leaves the lamb shed for the polytunnel.

Farmer in overalls and rubber boots gently lifting a newborn lamb. He appears to be moving the lamb from one section of a rustic, wooden lambing pen to another. A large water tank is visible in the background, along with other elements suggestive of a farm setting. The overall mood is one of quiet farm work.

Cade lamb leaves the farmhouse for the lamb shed.

Lambs stand in a straw-filled pen, their fluffy white coats contrasting with the darker brown straw. They appear to be feeding from a trough partially obscured by a plastic covering attached to a wooden structure. The scene is rustic and suggests a farm setting.

Shouldn't you little lambs be turning around the other way for a photograph?

Close-up view of a bright yellow daffodil flower. The focus is sharp on the central bloom, highlighting its trumpet-shaped corona and delicate petals. The background is blurred, showing more daffodils and their long, dark green leaves.

Daffodils are everywhere, including inside the farmhouse front garden.

Two vibrant red flowers, likely from a quince bush (Chaenomeles), blooming against a textured, mossy grey stone wall or fence. The branch of the bush, with its characteristic green leaves, extends across the wall. The focus is sharp on the flowers and immediately surrounding foliage, with the background slightly blurred. The overall impression is one of springtime vibrancy and the beauty of nature contrasting with a more rustic, aged backdrop.

Quince tree is flowering. Last year we had quince fruit.

Close-up of three vibrant red flower buds clustered on a slender, brown stem. Surrounding the buds are small, bright green leaves. The background is blurred but shows a grassy, outdoor setting. The overall impression is one of springtime growth and natural beauty.

Happy to see the cade lamb leave the farmhouse, our dining room stunk of haylage, urine and poo. I've swept, scrubbed down and bleach mopped the room three times to rid the room of nasty whiffs. The remaining cades are full of haylage, good news for us as they'll be weaned and ready for grasskeep soon enough.

4th

Charlie collected me in the afternoon, our first destination was to Denholm to check the welfare of a "sleepy" lamb.

Close-up profile view of a sheep's head and neck. The sheep has long, shaggy, light grey and off-white fleece, and its ears have distinct darker markings. A small piece of grass is visible near its mouth. The background is blurred but shows a green grassy field.
Group of sheep in a grassy field. There are two adult sheep, one larger and one slightly smaller, standing near two very young lambs. The lambs have a pinkish hue on their backs, suggesting they are recently born. The scene is peaceful and pastoral, indicative of a rural or agricultural setting.
Lamb, viewed from behind, standing in a grassy field. The lamb has light-coloured wool and dark legs. The background is blurred but shows more grass and some signs of animal activity (possibly molehills).

The lamb was flustered due to extremity of weather, but still standing and occassionally aligning with the flock so we departed without her.

Rural landscape, likely in the UK, featuring a rustic wooden fence leading towards a grassy field. Beyond the field, rolling hills rise to meet two prominent, dark-colored peaks under a cloudy sky. A tall evergreen tree stands prominently to the right of the frame, and a hedge runs parallel to the fence. The overall mood is calm and pastoral, suggesting a quiet, agricultural setting. The daffodils in the foreground add a splash of bright yellow against the muted colours of the landscape.
Ewe and her two lambs standing in a lush green pasture. The ewe is in the foreground, slightly larger than her lambs, who are positioned slightly behind and to either side of their mother. All three sheep appear healthy and well-cared for. The overall impression is one of pastoral tranquillity and the natural cycle of life.
Sheep standing in a grassy field near a wooden fence. The sheep has light brown, somewhat matted wool and appears to be bleating or calling out with its mouth open. The overall impression is one of a rural, pastoral scene.

Sam the sheep dog was longing to be out and about chasing sheep.

Border collie dog sitting in the back of a grey Land Rover. The dog is visible through the rear window, which is somewhat dirty and has a crack. The dog appears calm and is looking towards the camera. The Land Rover's logo is visible on the lower section of the rear.

Our second visit was our grasskeep near Selkirk, both ewes and lambs were well; we used this grasskeep last year, but with the addition of Bothendean, of which we didn't bid for this year. I am glad to not be passing through Bowden every few days, the sleepy village felt cursed, against this here disposition.

2nd

Woken very early, Charlie bottle-fed the cade lambs whilst I laid in bed; we travelled to Longtown and again experienced reckless overtaking from two cars passing us near the Scottish / English border. I have reminded Charlie to keep the dashcam plugged in, I'm planning to make a overtaking compilation and sending this dangerous driving video to the police; as I believe the causation of this to be chased down, leave behind, targeted harassment. The big breakfasts at Longtown are becoming boring, I don't enjoy visiting there as I did before; future visits will be a quick in and out; I can't forget the café scolding me and Charlie for two wasted breakfasts left behind on our table by some really mean people, if it happened at all.

Panoramic view shows a muddy farmyard scene on an overcast day. A vintage tractor is parked near a farmhouse, with various farm implements and structures visible. A grassy hill slopes upward, enclosed by a wire fence. A trailer is parked further down the muddy track.

Landslide mud has not been that prolific this winter because Charlie acquired a digger. Lambs are faring well in the polytunnel, top of the haylage bale is where they often hand out.

Three young lambs in a pen made of wood and metal, standing in hay. Two of the lambs are light cream-coloured, the other is mostly cream with some dark markings on its face and legs. The pen is situated in a farmyard setting with rustic wooden buildings and fencing visible in the background.

The fleece falling from the ewes neck is from her pushing into the ring feeder, and not from scab which starts on the neck.

Ewe and two lambs in a straw-filled pen, enclosed by a wooden fence. A simple wooden trough is present, likely for feeding. The setting appears to be a farm or smallholding. The overall mood is peaceful and pastoral.
Flock of sheep, including several lambs, in a farmyard. An old, rusty red tractor is parked nearby. The ground is muddy and wet. A wooden fence and an old, green glass-fronted shed are visible in the background. The overall setting suggests a rural, agricultural environment, possibly in the UK judging by the architecture and sheep breed.
Muddy farmyard scene. A grey Land Rover is parked near a wooden fence. A small flock of sheep, including several lambs, are gathered near the vehicle and the fence. One lamb is particularly noticeable as it stands slightly apart from the others. The background includes a stone wall and a grassy hillside. The overall atmosphere is rural and somewhat wet, with puddles visible on the ground.
Group of sheep and lambs in a wooden enclosure, next to a whitewashed building. The sheep are mostly light-grey and brown, with one black lamb present. The lambs appear young and some of the sheep have long, shaggy coats.

They didn't know they were going to a large field of fresh grass, but nonetheless entered the trailer without much encouragement.

Group of sheep, including lambs, inside a wooden enclosure or trailer. The sheep are a mix of light and dark colours, and the lambs are predominantly light-coloured. One adult sheep is in the foreground, looking directly at the camera. A small dog can be seen in the background outside the enclosure. The overall atmosphere is rustic and farm-related.

A mother ewe contemplates boarding the trailer, Charlie treated the black lamb for a poorly leg.

Flock of sheep and lambs grazing in a grassy field. The sheep are mostly light-coloured, with a few darker ones and one black lamb. They are situated in a pastoral setting, with trees and a wooden fence visible in the background. The overall mood is peaceful and idyllic.

The age and mileage of our 20 year old truck is concerning when smoking whilst towing, but we've had few mechanical problems since we purchased this time last year.

We took two ewe and two lambs, we received £250, Charlie said they didn't sell very well, but the auction was quick; noticing a recently displayed no photography poster, I was glad to leave. We talked about other livestock auctions, with the idea of selling at Lockerbie. After loading more ewes and lambs we drove to our grass keep near Selkirk, along the way Jock's ewes and lambs glared halted unto the oncoming direction of our truck. I also witnessed a failed lamb being torn apart by two seagulls.

Newborn, dark grey calf nestled in a bed of straw. The calf is mostly hidden in the straw, with only its head and part of its body visible. Its eyes are slightly open, and it appears to be resting. The overall impression is one of peacefulness and new life.
Close-up of a young, dark grey calf. Its large, expressive eyes, which appear to be blue, are prominent. The calf's fur appears soft, and it's standing in a barn with straw visible in the background. The overall impression is one of innocence and vulnerability.
Two light brown calves standing close together. They are young, fluffy, and appear to be in a barn or similar enclosed space, suggested by the blurred background. The focus is on the two calves' faces, emphasising their soft features and large eyes.
Close-up of a young, light brown calf's head. The calf has a distinctive white marking on its forehead in the shape of an upside-down V or a small, irregular U. It's looking directly at the camera from within a stall or enclosure, its head partially obscured by rusty metal bars. The floor of the stall is visible and appears to be composed of dirt and straw.
Close-up profile view of a pigeon. The pigeon is predominantly grey with distinctive white markings on its head and neck. The background is blurred, focusing attention on the bird.
Two pigeons perched on a mossy rooftop against a muted grey sky. One pigeon is predominantly white with black markings on its wings and head, while the other is a darker grey and blue-grey. The white pigeon appears more upright and alert, while the grey pigeon is somewhat hunched over. The overall mood is somewhat quiet and subdued, reflecting the muted colours and the overcast sky.
Charlie in a high-visibility vest operating a grain processing machine in what appears to be a basement or cellar. He is filling a large bag with grain or a similar product from the machine. The setting is rustic and industrial, with old stone walls, buckets, and other equipment visible. The overall impression is one of manual labour in a traditional setting.
Close-up shot shows the nose and mouth of a black cow. The cow's nostrils are visible, and its nose and mouth are covered in bits of hay or straw, indicating it has recently been eating. The focus is sharply on the cow's face, while the background is blurred, showing a bed of hay or straw. The overall impression is one of a simple, everyday scene on a farm.
Close-up of a brown cow, standing in a barn setting. The cow is facing the camera directly, and it has visible yellow ear tags. Other cows and a calf can be seen in the background through a metal fence. The overall impression is that of a farm scene.

Leaving the farm I was able to forlay Charlie loading more ewes and lambs to grassheep, tiredness both overhanging, and looming upon his face concerned me. We enjoyed a quiet evening before Charlie returned to the farmhouse to feed a poorly cade lamb, who is late weaning onto grass and pellets.