July 2024

31st

Photographing birds from my living room window, coming and going about their business. There are so many birds in Ancrum, I cleaned my windows yesterday, especially for this.

House sparrow perched on asphalt. The sparrow is predominantly brown and gray, with visible markings on its wings and back. The focus is sharp, and the background is a blurred grey asphalt surface.
Small, fluffy brown bird, possibly a young house sparrow, perched on a dark grey metal ring or circular bar. The background is blurred but shows out-of-focus elements suggesting a garden setting with flowers and more wrought iron furniture. The bird is the clear focal point of the image.
House sparrow perched on a wooden post. The sparrow is facing to the right of the frame, its head slightly bowed. The background is blurred, showing a teal colored wall. The focus is sharply on the bird.
House Sparrow ( Passer domesticus) perched on a weathered wooden post. The sparrow appears to be holding a small insect in its beak. The background is blurred but shows a vibrant array of yellow-green foliage, likely a garden or similar setting. The overall impression is one of a candid nature shot, focusing on a common bird in its natural environment.
House sparrow perched on a dark grey metal railing. The bird is in sharp focus against a blurred, out-of-focus background of greenery and muted colors, suggesting an outdoor setting. The sparrow's plumage is clearly visible, showcasing its brown, white, and black markings. The overall impression is one of a candid moment captured in a natural setting.
House sparrow perched on a weathered wooden post. The sparrow appears to be holding a small insect or piece of food in its beak. The background is a blurred, neutral gray. The focus is sharply on the bird.
House sparrow perched on a weathered wooden post. The background is blurred, showcasing a vibrant array of yellow-green foliage. The sparrow is the focal point, sharply in focus against the softer background. The bird appears alert and is positioned slightly angled to the left of the frame.
House sparrow perched on a stone surface. The bird is in profile view, facing to the right of the frame, and appears to be holding a small insect or fly in its beak. The background is blurred, but shows a bright green leafy environment.
European starling perched on a wooden fence. The starling is positioned slightly in profile, facing to the right of the frame. Its iridescent feathers display a mix of dark greens, blues, and purples. The background is soft-focused, showing lush green grass and some purple flowers (likely snapdragons) near the bird. A small green bush is partially visible behind and to the left of the starling. The overall setting appears to be a garden.

These birds are easy to photograph from behind a clean window.

28th

I'm relaxing at the farmhouse; after yesterdays mayhem, I need quiet day without worry.

Rusty metal drum, seemingly repurposed as a makeshift smoker or fire pit. Smoke is emanating from the drum's opening, which is filled with smouldering material. The drum is situated in a garden setting, near a black plastic covering (possibly a greenhouse or garden structure) and some gardening tools or equipment. The overall scene suggests a rustic, possibly rural or agricultural, environment.

In the farmhouse kitchen garden our Beetroot and Onions are growing nicely.

Close-up view of several vibrant, healthy chard plants growing in a garden bed. The plants are lush green with prominent red stalks, and they are thriving in the sunlight. A section of chicken wire fencing is visible in the background, suggesting a protected garden area. The soil appears dark and fertile.
Vegetable garden plot. In the foreground are several bunches of scallions growing in dark soil. Behind them, to the right, are chard plants. In the background, there's a wire mesh fence, a section of gardening plastic sheeting, and some blue irrigation pipes. The overall impression is one of a sunny day in a productive home garden.

Thankfully there is not much weeding to do here this weekend. Excited to discover our beans have reached the top of the canes props.

Vegetable garden plot. In the foreground is a section dedicated to climbing beans, supported by a tepee-like structure made of wooden poles. Surrounding the beans are other green, leafy plants; some appear to be additional bean plants, while others might be other vegetables. A stone wall is visible in the background, along with a temporary structure (possibly a tarp or shelter) and some more vegetation. The overall impression is a sun-drenched, thriving garden.
Close-up view of a wigwam-style plant support structure made of bamboo poles tied together with orange rope. A climbing plant, possibly beans, is growing up the poles. The background features a rural landscape with a stone wall, fields, and a distant farmhouse under a bright, sunny sky. The overall impression is one of a thriving garden in a picturesque countryside setting.

Potatoes have sprung up wonderfully, and the area we left to seed is more or less harvested. I have planned to have a spinach and herb raised garden in the area.

Rural garden scene on a sunny day. A significant portion of the foreground is dominated by a lush potato patch, in bloom. Beyond the potatoes, there's a mix of other vegetation, including weeds, and a black plastic-covered structure, possibly a poly-tunnel or temporary shelter for crops. A wire mesh fence encloses part of the garden, and a stone wall forms a boundary further back. The background features rolling green hills under a partly cloudy sky. The overall impression is one of a small, possibly subsistence, farm or garden.

Tractor problems have stalled mucking out the ploy tunnel.

Interior of a simple, temporary animal shelter. It's a covered structure, likely made of wood and plastic sheeting, with a floor covered in straw or hay. An old, rusty piece of farm equipment, possibly a hay rake or similar, sits inside near the front. The overall impression is one of rustic functionality and temporary use for agricultural purposes.

Thought I'd take some pictures of our farmhouse front garden.

Cluster of pink geranium flowers blooming amongst lush green foliage. The flowers are the focal point, exhibiting various stages of bloom, with some fully open and others still budding. The overall impression is one of natural beauty and vibrancy.
Long, vibrant purple Buddleja davidii (butterfly bush) flowering profusely. The bush is sprawling along the ground, partially obscuring other greenery, including smaller plants and grass. The overall setting appears to be a garden or naturalised area with a mix of different plants. The light suggests it's daytime, likely sunny.

Charlie has found newts in our garden pond, second year running.

Small, dark-coloured aquatic animal, possibly a newt larva or tadpole, swimming in murky green water. The water is contained in a dark-colored, flexible liner, possibly a pond liner. The water appears somewhat algae-laden. A reflection is visible on the surface of the water.

I'm enjoying sharing my interests via teaching Charlie how to use my bridge camera. This is one of his first photographs, I think he has an eye for photography.

27th

We've had a series of bad luck today, first our sheep absconded, afterwards we found the tractor flat, then the tractor broke down, and finally an accident with our truck towing the tractor. The morning began with me strimming the paddock of dock leafs; the tractor topper is still not working. Charlie loaded the truck with junk to take to Hawick refuse tip. Returning to Woodburn we found the tractor tire flat.

As usual I followed Charlie in the truck until we had left Woodburn, I parked and waited for him to arrive half way to Craik.

Messy interior of a car, specifically the floor area near the driver's seat. Two portable air compressors, various cords and wires, and some small debris are scattered on the floor mat.

We took both air pumps as we did not know how long the tyre would remain inflated; the tractor was running so well, feels as though we been sabotaged.

Close-up selfie of Leonie with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a light beige knit hat and a black shirt. She is sitting in the driver's seat of a car, looking directly at the camera with a slightly smirk. A silver necklace with a circular pendant is visible, and a black handbag and camera are partially visible in the bottom right corner. The car's window shows a rural landscape outside. The overall impression is a casual, candid self-portrait taken during a road trip or journey.
View from a car's side mirror. The mirror reflects a country road winding through a green landscape under a cloudy sky. Tall grass is visible along the roadside, and in the distance, there are rolling hills and a dark line of trees. The overall impression is one of rural travel on a somewhat overcast day.

What are you doing Léonie? I'm waiting for Charlie to arrive in his tractor.

View from inside a car, looking out the window at a rural road. A tractor is visible in the distance, travelling away from the viewer, on a paved road winding through gently rolling, grassy hills under a partly cloudy sky. The overall feeling is one of peaceful countryside scenery.

Before Charlie could pass by I travelled ahead to Craik.

Green signpost indicating Craik, situated amidst a verdant landscape. Wildflowers, including Queen Anne's Lace and what appears to be Fireweed, bloom in the foreground. The background features a dense line of trees and rolling hills under a cloudy sky. The overall impression is one of a peaceful, rural setting, possibly a nature reserve or park.

I waited forty-five minutes and still no Charlie, so returned my way to find his tractor had overheated, a mile from the Craik. Disappointed to see this third bad event today.

Charlie in a bright yellow safety vest sitting on an old, rusty red tractor on the side of a country road. The tractor appears well-worn and possibly in need of repair. Wildflowers and tall grass are visible along the roadside, and a dark, overcast sky hangs above. The overall scene suggests a rural setting, possibly depicting a farmer or mechanic tending to his equipment.

Turning over the tractor transmission sounded awful, hoping the engine does not cease. The oil filter had been removed to see if oil was circulating around the engine.

We returned to Woodburn Farmhouse to fetch a chain to tow the tractor.

Rusty, vintage red tractor being towed by a dark-coloured SUV. The tractor appears old and weathered, while the SUV's rear hatch is open. A rusty chain connects the two vehicles. The setting appears to be a rural road with some vegetation in the background. The overall impression is one of rural life and possibly a task involving the transport of the old tractor.

I wasn't happy with this from the start, and my anxiety was proven founded. Along the way the tractor slammed into the back of the truck, ruining the read door and smashing the window clean out.

Dark grey Land Rover Freelander towing a rusty red vintage tractor along a gravel road. The tractor is driven by a man in a yellow high-visibility jacket. The background includes some trees and a cloudy sky. The scene suggests a rural setting, possibly in the UK given the license plate.

This was our forth bad luck even of the day, so much to bad luck arriving in threes. We definitely require a new car now. Whilst at the Craik, we had a report our missing sheep had been found at Craikhope outdoor centre; alas some good news.

Charlie walking away from a long, dark brown building with a dark grey metal roof. The building has several skylights. He is carrying a yellow bag. In the background, there are sheep grazing on a grassy area, and a hillside covered in trees can be seen in the distance. The overall setting appears to be rural.

Sheep always come to the sound of a crinkly plastic feed bag. Charlie herded the sheep past our truck, walked around the sheep and climbed into the truck; which we used to guide them back to their grazing fields.

Gravel road winding through a lush green landscape. Three sheep are visible walking ahead on the road, with a dark-coloured sheep or goat leading the way. Tall grasses and wildflowers line the sides of the road, and a dense forest of evergreen trees forms a backdrop. The view is from inside a vehicle, with the top of the windshield visible at the bottom of the frame. The overall impression is one of a serene, rural setting.

Charlie was uncomfortable with the truck herding them, and insisted we drive ahead and park the truck sidewards to guide the sheep through the field gate. After twenty-five minutes the sheep arrived and walked into the field without much coercion.

Charlie and our friend fixed the gap in the fence where the sheep had escaped, waiting I noticed the midges are not that bad as they were a month ago here.

Grassy hillside under a partly cloudy sky. A rainbow is faintly visible in the clouds. A small flock of sheep are grazing on the hillside. The scene is peaceful and pastoral.

Returning to the farmhouse we noticed a rainbow had appeared over our paddock; today had been awkward, but we refused to let bad luck get to us.

25th

Late in the evening I decided to enjoy my hame village of Ancrum, with a walk by Ale Water. The temperature was pleasantly mild as the sun slowly lowered, I walked alone, but I did not feel as though I was alone.

Serene river scene at sunset. A calm river flows gently through a grassy field, with scattered rocks visible in the water. In the background, a small village or cluster of houses nestles under a partly cloudy sky, the setting sun casting a warm glow. The overall mood is peaceful and tranquil.
Field of meadow-sweet (Filipendula ulmaria) in bloom at sunset. The delicate white flowers stand out against the darkening green foliage. In the background, a partly cloudy sky displays a soft sunset light, and power lines are visible. The overall mood is peaceful and serene, capturing the beauty of nature at twilight.
Field of wildflowers at sunset. The sky is a mix of blue and clouds with a golden hue near the horizon where the sun is setting. Two prominent purple flowers are in the foreground with other buds and greenery, creating a contrast against the field and the sky. Power lines stretch across the upper portion of the image from left to right. In the distance, there's a hint of residential areas and trees silhouetted against the sunset.

Charlie rang five minutes after I returned home at 9pm, he cooked us an evening meal, we watched X-files, then he retired to bed whilst I finished this diary entry.

24th

Today I am gardening, and painting and decorating my house in Ancrum. The weather is hot and slightly humid.

Freshly planted row of boxwood shrubs in a garden bed next to a curb. The soil is dark and rich, and the boxwoods are small but healthy-looking. The garden bed is bordered by existing grass. The scene is outdoors, and a street is visible in the background. The overall impression is one of new growth and gardening work in progress.
Section of garden where the turf has been removed, revealing dark brown soil. The soil is adjacent to a lawn and runs alongside a curb separating the lawn from a paved area. A small, well-maintained evergreen bush is visible in the background, along with a section of a building. The overall impression is of garden preparation, possibly for planting.

I've been digging and filling in borders with compost, ready to box hedge my garden boundaries.

23rd

We woke at my house in Ancrum, then travelled to Woodburn Farmhouse and began tagging tup lambs to sell at Longtown. Charlie had not castrated many tup lambs, one or two were untidy, they could not be taken because of their mucky bums. Two lambs left there mother ewes, four other lambs had been cade. Charlie had already separated half of the flock from the paddock the night before; so the lambs were waiting for us when we arrived.

Flock of sheep, predominantly light-coloured with some darker markings, standing in a grassy area next to a farm building. Several sheep appear to have small green markings on their coats. The setting seems rural, with farm equipment and structures partially visible in the background.

In a way I feel for them, their uncertainty, but we all face fate; and I know nothing is more crueller in this world than infinite cruelties committed by nature, how utterly stupid and sometimes naive people are to hubris worship a "mother" of nature.

Why did nature not ordain that one animal should not live by the death of another?

Leonardo da Vinci

In an 1856 letter to Joseph Dalton Hooker, Charles Darwin remarked sarcastically on the cruelty and wastefulness of nature, describing it as something that a "Devil's chaplain" could write about.

The stronger prey upon the weaker, and keep them in perpetual terror and anxiety.

David Hume, Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion 1779

Buddhists also regard suffering experienced by animals in nature as evidence for the truth of dukkha. Buddhist scripture Aṅguttara Nikāya describes the lives of wild animals as "so cruel, so harsh, so painful". Anyhow, the mother ewes seemed not stressed to have their lambs taken, they are now over five months old and are more or less weaned.

Charlie herding a flock of sheep through a wooden gate into a pen. The sheep are mostly brown and white, and Charlie is wearing dark blue overalls and boots. The scene is set in a rural location, with a whitewashed house and a truck visible in the background. The overall mood is one of quiet, everyday rural activity.

Charlie ushers lambs together into a pen then sorts through the lambs to be tagged and transported; first to leave the pen was our Herdwick mother ewe and her ewe lamb.

Two sheep walking along a wire fence. One sheep is dark grey, the other is light beige. They are walking alongside a grassy area, and a wooden fence is visible in the foreground. The scene appears to be in a rural or agricultural setting.

Charlie makes a note of the ear tag numbers to write into the transport book later. You can't just move livestock anywhere at anytime, everything has to be logged. Below our Herdwick x Teeswater tup lamb awaits to be tagged.

Charlie repairing a wooden fence. A lamb is standing next to him, partially obscured by the fence. Charlie appears to be using tools to fasten tags upon a lamb.

We believe that kindness is always the right approach towards shepherding, a crook is used to lengthen the reach of an arm, and never should be used to strike punishment. As humans we are humane, compassion in farming is essential for us, and the animals. However we always must be on our guard in hindsight of irrational cruelties of nature.

There is nothing wrong with taking time over crofting, idiots shear sheep in 10 seconds, shepherding is very wrong when sheep cannot be afforded diligent care to welfare. We don't have many sheep, in 1 3/4 years I lived at Woodburn our flock hasn't exceeded 70.

Close-up view of a fluffy, light-coloured sheep with a yellow tag in its ear. The sheep is standing on a weathered wooden platform, possibly a ramp or loading area. In the background, there is a wooden fence, a person in work overalls tending to other sheep, a partly visible building's exterior, and some overgrown vegetation. The overall scene suggests a farm or rural setting.
Flock of sheep inside a wooden enclosure, likely a livestock trailer or temporary holding pen. The sheep are huddled together. Some sheep are light grey/white, others are dark brown/black. Several sheep have green markings on their coats, likely indicating ownership or identification. The enclosure is simple and rustic. The overall impression is one of confinement, possibly in transit or awaiting processing.

The trailer was loaded with six lambs.

Marked with a light teal spot of paint on their fleece, stand behind a wire fence. Two face away from the camera, while one faces towards the camera, appearing slightly curious. They are in a grassy area, with a trough or feeder visible behind them, on a gently sloping hillside. A wooden gate and a garden hose are partially visible in the bottom-right corner. The overall impression is of a pastoral, rural scene.

These lambs did not get to go to market, this evening they are to be wormed, dagged and treated against any potential maggot infestation.

Grey pickup truck parked on a gravel road. The road is bordered by lush green grass and dense foliage. The overall setting appears to be a rural or wooded area. The lighting suggests it's daytime. The truck is parked slightly off-centre, with the perspective drawing the viewer's eye to the vehicle and its surrounding tranquil environment.

As we were about to leave a neighbouring farmer waved to me, we, me and Charlie have played him at Carpet Bowls; his two sons farm a large area of the surrounding valley.

Road in a mountainous area, with roadworks in progress. Traffic cones and a temporary traffic signal are visible, along with a sign instructing drivers to wait when the red light is showing. The overall mood is functional, depicting a momentary pause in travel due to construction. The background features green hills under a cloudy sky. The perspective is from inside a vehicle, looking down the road towards the construction site.

Its an old familiar drive down to Longtown via Langholm, from the Scottish Borders, through Dumfries and Galloway, then into England, roadworks break up monotony.

Leonie's face and upper body close-up from inside a dark-grey SUV. She is wearing a cream-coloured knit hat. The background shows Charlie working in a barn or livestock facility, unloading what appears to be livestock from a trailer attached to the vehicle. The Leonie's expression is neutral to slightly sombre.

We arrived at Longtown mart, docked and unloaded our lambs.

Livestock auction pen, specifically number 152, containing six sheep from the Wood Burn farm. The sheep are confined within red metal pens inside a large building. A yellow sticky note with the farm name and number of sheep is affixed to the pen's identification number. The overall impression is one of agricultural commerce, showing sheep prepared for sale or grading. The slightly muted lighting and overall neutral colour palette suggest an everyday scene in a livestock market. There is no inherent story or moral beyond the practical function of the auction process.

After a cooked breakfast we visited the holding pens to see the lambs one last time before they are sold; this auction mart is kept in good condition.

Interior of a dark-coloured SUV, viewed from the outside through the driver's side window. The view is somewhat obscured by reflections of clouds and a partially visible Charlie dressed in a plaid shirt resting on the back seat. A portion of a vehicle advertisement is visible on the back of the car behind the window showing a man holding several small animals (dogs and cats).

Charlie fell asleep in our truck as the lambs waited to be auctioned.

Serene lake scene. The calm water perfectly reflects a partly cloudy sky, creating a nearly symmetrical composition. A line of dark green trees borders the far side of the lake. The overall mood is peaceful and contemplative.

Not tired enough to sleep, from the stuffy truck I visited a nearby lake for a breeze of air. Six lambs sold for £130 which Charlie thought undercut, and I wondered if lambs only being valued for their meat (because the wool industry has been destroyed) is the causation of such a disparity. Our lambs to other lambs are small but have lovely wool.

21st

After nagging Charlie out of bed on his day off work he drove to the Craik Forest, delivering our topper for repair and top our friends field. After hooking the topper to the tractor, Charlie set off on a six mile journey to the Craik Forest, whilst I followed closely behind in our truck.

Inside a car driving down a country road. In the distance, a tractor with a small trailer is visible, moving in the same direction. On the right side of the road, a large stack of wrapped hay bales is prominent. The overall setting is rural, with green fields and trees in the background. The sky is overcast and somewhat gloomy.
Flock of sheep grazing in a lush green field. Charlie is seen driving a vintage tractor in the background, near a low stone wall. The scene is peaceful and pastoral, evoking a sense of rural life and traditional farming practices.
Charlie driving a vintage, rusty red tractor down a country road. The road is flanked by green hills and vegetation. The overall impression is one of rural life and perhaps a sense of peaceful solitude or nostalgia.
Charlie driving a vintage tractor up a narrow country road. The road is lined with tall grass and trees, and in the distance, there are rolling hills. A small sign indicating a passing place is visible on the left side of the road.
Pastoral landscape featuring a row of white houses nestled in a verdant valley, flanked by a dense forest and rolling hills. The scene is tranquil and evokes a sense of rural peace. A few sheep are visible in a field, further enhancing the idyllic countryside setting. The overall palette is muted and natural, with greens and greys dominating the view.
Tranquil stream flowing through a verdant landscape under a cloudy sky. The stream is bordered by lush green vegetation interspersed with white wildflowers. In the background, a flat, golden field stretches out towards a line of trees and gently rolling hills. A single utility pole with wires runs across the scene, adding a touch of human presence to the otherwise natural setting. The overall mood is serene and peaceful, suggestive of a rural or countryside location.
Moderately flowing river, with dark, slightly murky water, meanders through a lush, green landscape. The banks are densely vegetated with various shrubs and wildflowers, creating a vibrant border along the water's edge. A large, leafy tree stands prominently on the right bank. The sky is mostly cloudy, suggesting a somewhat overcast day. In the far background, a hint of more distant trees and possibly a building is visible. The overall impression is one of serenity and natural beauty in a seemingly rural setting.

Here comes Charlie driving his David Brown International.

And returns to Woodburn Farm, that's 14 miles.

Beans, Potatoes, Onions and Beetroot have grown, but so have weeds including nettles, docks and a pink flower weed I can't identify in the Farmhouse Kitchen.