July 2024

11th

Fed up with this edema.

Close-up, low-angle shot of Leonie's swollen leg and foot, positioned above a bed with a black and white patterned duvet. The foot is slightly elevated, and the focus is primarily on the lower leg and ankle. The background includes a portion of a wooden dresser, a blue and white chequered blanket, and a small decorative parrot statue.

Doctors say it is not that bad, and that I'm 50 years old.

10th

O’ Ancrum toon, Sweet Ancrum toon, I’ll love thee aye the best. In winter’s gloom, Or simmer’s bloom, Frae distant East to West, What scene could ere Wi‘ thee compare? What fairer spot could be, By day or nicht, Sae Sweet, sae bricht, Dear Ancrum toon, as thee?

We returned to Ancrum from Jedburgh where I had seen the doctor. She gave me bottles for a series of tests, one which I have to wait two weeks to do. I was informed by our lovely shop keeper that Ancrum festival was happening tonight. There was two bands, pipes and brass, dancers, Ancrum residents and not forgetting the Callent and his henchmen.

Four people on horseback riding down a country lane. They are dressed in formal riding attire, with the lead rider wearing a bright red coat. All riders appear to be wearing rosettes or ribbons on their jackets, suggesting they may have participated in some sort of equestrian competition or event. The setting is rural, with hedges and greenery lining the road. There are also other people visible in the background, and another horse can be seen further up the lane. The overall atmosphere is one of quiet formality and possibly a celebratory procession.

There were to many common riders looking down, gazes lowered.

Close-up of a man wearing a black riding helmet and a bright red hunting coat. He has a white shirt and cravat visible under the coat. A blue and red rosette is pinned to his lapel. The man appears to be outdoors, with a neutral-coloured building visible in the background. His expression is serious, almost pensive, and he's looking off to his side. The overall impression is one of formality and perhaps participation in a hunt or equestrian event.

We were surprised to see two friends from Roberton on the ride out to Ancrum.

Two riders on horseback, positioned near a stone wall and a flower planter. The rider on the left is wearing a dark suit and a helmet, while the rider on the right is wearing a more casual outfit, including a cap. Their horses are different colours; one is light grey and the other is dark brown. A signpost is visible in the background, along with a road and several cars. The scene is outdoors on a slightly overcast day. The overall impression is one of a casual equestrian event or outing.

The common riders were greeted at the southern boundary of Ancrum by an encore from Jedburgh pipe band and observant members of the public.

Bagpipe band, predominantly dressed in kilts, performing in a residential street. They are positioned in a line, facing away from the camera towards a small group of drummers. The setting appears to be a small town or village, with modest houses lining the street. The sky is overcast and cloudy.

And later a local bass band played to the occasion from outside the bar and over towards the green.

Brass band, predominantly dressed in blue uniforms, performing outdoors. They are positioned in front of a stone building, with a mix of onlookers and other individuals standing in the background. The band members are playing various brass instruments including euphoniums, trumpets, cornets, and a tuba.

All brass bands feel homely, wherever they are from but I'm from the North of England, my family were miners, so this assertion could be construed as culturally bias.

Group of people, predominantly dressed in traditional Scottish attire, participating in what appears to be a cultural event. Several young girls in white shirts and black leggings are being led in a dance or procession by men wearing kilts and jackets. A man in a bright orange jacket seems to be officiating or leading the event. There's a large crowd of onlookers in the background. The overall atmosphere suggests a festive and communal celebration of Scottish culture.

The callent couldn't sing, read his lines from paper; wouldn't look me in the eye, made every effort to circumnavigate contact; yet stood in front of an entire village and made an effort to substantiate value in the form of tradition among people.

Close-up of a man wearing a black beret with a red and white chequered band, a grey jacket, and a blue and red rosette. He is speaking into a microphone. Behind him and partially visible are parts of two other people. One appears to be wearing a similar style of hat, implying a possible collective event, possibly a competition or ceremony. The overall feel is one of formality and possibly a public speaking event, perhaps related to a traditional Scottish cultural activity given the man's hat.

I could feel anti-english sentiment, but the common riding rides out to areas of local history, often reciting loss, viewing bloodshed and resurrecting hope. But they didn't just fight against the English, they fought against Scottish Clans and Reivers (robbers).

6th

After worming ewes and lambs we returned to Woodburn Farm. Charlie lifted the head block from his David Brown International tractor, he's fixing the head gasket after the engine leaked water everywhere. We left my house in Acrum late morning, arriving at Selkirk grasskeep at midday. Charlie ushered ewes and lambs into the race.

Are a few minutes the ewes and lambs where together and penned.

Charlie began worming the ewes and lambs, then letting them out of the pen one by one. Returning to Woodburn along the Ashkirk to Roberton road I requested Charlie stop so I could take some pictures of the wonderful foxgloves at Borthwickbrae.

Vibrant cluster of foxglove flowers, predominantly in shades of purple and white, growing wild in a lush, verdant landscape. A large tree stands in the background, providing a contrast to the wildflowers in the foreground. The sky is partly cloudy, casting a dappled light on the scene. The overall feel is one of natural beauty and untamed growth.
Close-up of a cluster of white foxglove flowers (Digitalis purpurea) hanging downwards. The flowers are sharply in focus, while the background is a softly-focused field of other foxgloves in various shades of purple and white, under a partly cloudy sky. A large tree is visible in the background to the left.

Returned to Woodburn Farmhouse I put on my gardening gloves and weeded the front garden, so many flowers, I photographed them.

Vibrant, fully bloomed, hot pink rose in the foreground. The rose is densely petalled and takes up most of the frame. The background is softly blurred, showing more rosebuds and green foliage, suggesting a rose bush. The overall impression is one of beauty and the vibrancy of nature in bright sunlight.
Vibrant yellow flower, possibly a Welsh poppy in full bloom. It's the central focus, sharply in focus against a blurred background of a textured grey wall and the plant's foliage. Smaller, unopened buds and a few small purple flowers are visible on the same plant, providing a contrast in color and size. The overall impression is one of simple, natural beauty.
Close-up view of a cluster of white roses on a branch. The roses are in varying stages of bloom; some are fully open and fresh, while others appear wilted or past their prime, showing signs of browning and decay. The background is blurred but shows lush green foliage, suggesting a garden setting. The lighting suggests it's daytime, with sunlight illuminating the roses. The overall feeling is one of delicate beauty tinged with the natural process of decay and the passage of time.

The honeysuckle hedgerow is look beautiful.

Close-up view of a single, vibrant red honeysuckle flower. The flower is sharply in focus, while the background is softly blurred, showcasing a green landscape under a slightly overcast sky. Other honeysuckle flowers, some red and some lighter in color, are visible in the out-of-focus background, suggesting a larger bush or garden.
Vibrant, flowering honeysuckle vine in full bloom. The blossoms are a mix of creamy yellow and deep pink/red, creating a striking contrast. The vine is densely packed with flowers and lush green leaves, growing along a fence or wall. In the background, a stand of pine trees and other deciduous trees are visible under a somewhat overcast sky.

Our Quince tree has fruits.

Two small, green, speckled fruits growing on a thorny branch. The fruits appear to be unripe. The branch is part of a larger bush with vibrant green leaves, some of which show water droplets. The overall impression is one of natural, verdant growth.
Close-up view of a plant with vibrant green leaves and two distinctive red flowers in bloom. The flowers have a unique structure, with long, thin, red filaments extending from a central point. The green leaves are glossy and appear wet, possibly from recent rain. A small, purple flower is partially visible in the background, providing a contrasting colour.

Majority of weeds were nettles and cleavers, I piled them onto the driveway, for pick up via the pink wheelbarrow.

Pink gardening glove resting on a weathered wooden fence. The glove appears to have been used for weeding, as it's dirty and there's a clump of pulled weeds beside it. The setting is outdoors, in a grassy area.
Panoramic view of a white cottage with green window frames, situated in a verdant landscape. The cottage appears somewhat aged or rustic, with an unkempt garden in front. A vehicle and trailer are parked near a fence, hinting at rural or agricultural activity. The background includes a gently sloping grassy hill under a partly cloudy sky.

In between weeding I've been helping Charlie with his tractor; the head gasket is gone, he needs the tractor working to finish mucking out the poly tunnel.

Close-up view of the disassembled cylinder head of a vintage tractor engine. The engine block is heavily soiled with oil and grime, indicating significant use and wear. The valves, valve springs, and other internal components are visible, revealing a detailed look at the engine's internal workings. The setting appears to be outdoors, in a rural or farm environment. Charlie's arm in a plaid shirt is partially visible in the background, suggesting the engine is undergoing repair or maintenance.

Off with the rocker cover.

Yellow toolbox filled with various tools and parts, including a rocker arm assembly. A separate purple bucket contains a collection of dark-coloured, possibly metallic, rod-like objects. The tools and parts appear to be greasy or oily. The setting is outdoors on a patch of ground covered with grass and dirt.

The block was stuck fast and took an hour of plying to release; Charlie showed me the damage to the head gasket.

Close-up view of a damaged or worn-out engine head gasket. Charlie's dirty, grease-stained hands are holding the gasket, one finger pointing to a section of significant damage or wear. The gasket appears to be made of metal and shows signs of discoloration, oil stains, and potential blowouts or perforations. The overall impression is one of mechanical failure or the need for repair.

And so the new head gasket was fitted.

Close-up, overhead view of the engine block of a tractor. The cylinder head is removed, revealing the empty cylinder bores. The engine is visibly old and shows signs of wear and oil residue. A portion of the tractor's chassis and a wheel are also visible in the image. A piece of teal clothing is partially visible in the bottom of the frame.

The head block was heavy, Charlie being sensible asked for help lifting it into position.

Close-up view of the disassembled cylinder head of an old, possibly vintage, internal combustion engine. The head is heavily soiled with oil and grime, indicating significant use and wear. The valves, springs, and other internal components are visible, revealing details of the engine's mechanical workings. The overall impression is one of age, use, and potential repair or restoration. The background shows a grassy area, suggesting an outdoor setting, possibly a workshop or farm.

The tractor battery was almost flat, barely turning the transmission over so the 4x4 truck was used as a jump start.

Dark grey Land Rover with its hood open, connected to an older red tractor via jumper cables. The scene is set in a rural landscape, with rolling green hills and a stone wall in the background. The overall impression is one of a roadside repair in a remote location, possibly suggesting a reliance on older, more reliable machinery in a challenging environment.

The tractor engine chuffed like a steam locomotive for a few minutes before growling into power; alas the problem appears to be fixed.

3rd

We anticipated rabbits sliding underneath the perimeter fencing of our kitchen garden. I have begun the second part of our defences, burying thick mesh a foot into the earth.

Small, somewhat overgrown vegetable garden enclosed by wire fencing. A garden fork is stuck in the ground near the foreground. A large tarp covers a structure in the background, and a pink wheelbarrow is partially visible to the lower right. The overall setting appears rural, with rolling hills and a stone wall visible in the distance. The sky is overcast.

The spade handle has broken, sharp splinters have pieced my palm but this is the only spade we have. I dug in through half foot of soft compost, before reaching manure, then I found what appears to be clay; most of our kitchen garden manure has now degraded.

Rusty garden spade lying on the ground, partially embedded in dark soil. The spade is surrounded by lush green vegetation, including weeds and what appears to be a section of wire mesh or fencing. Thin, light-coloured branches or twigs are scattered around the spade and throughout the scene.
Section of a garden, specifically a trench dug alongside a chicken wire fence that encloses a patch of potato plants. A pile of dark soil or compost is placed beside the trench, and a garden trowel rests nearby. The overall scene suggests garden preparation or maintenance work.

The spade plunged into the ground with ease, but the soil was sticky and refused to leave the spade. There were stones wedged under the fence, placed to block rabbits.

Section of a garden where a wire mesh fence has been partially installed. The fence is being placed along the edge of a freshly tilled section of soil, which appears dark and loose. Behind the fence, potato plants are growing well within a similar wire mesh enclosure. A portion of a garden shovel is visible in the lower left corner.

Had coffee break then completed another length; a marathon, not a sprint Charlie said.

Section of a garden enclosed by wire mesh fencing. Inside the fence, potato plants are growing, and there’s a path made of flat stones outside the fence. A large tarp is visible in the background, possibly a temporary shelter. The overall setting appears to be rural.

We chose preventative measures rather than eradicate the rabbits by applying to the police for a firearms licence and purchasing an air gun. I buried one section of wire mesh and had to rest, my health isn't what it used to be. If rabbits dig under, we'll go two foot deeper, extermination is a last resort measure; due to wildlife we'll not be using poison.

2nd

Its taking a while to realise I now have a home, after decades of homelessness. A warm, safe place to rest my head, a sanctuary whilst awake and asleep. What is contentment, does satisfaction exist? This morning I opened my door to find our new milkman had visited; placed onto my doorstep were three pints of bottled milk; its been years since I seen this, how awesome.

Three glass bottles of milk sitting on a piece of white paper on a set of concrete steps outside a house. The bottles are similar in size and shape, and they all have red and white tamper-evident seals on their caps. The overall impression is of a simple, everyday delivery or arrangement.

Charlie gave me a lift into Galashiels, I purchased drainpipe clips, doormats and poly-filler, essential repairs for my house. Early afternoon we did a welfare check on our flock in the Craik Forest, then arriving back a Woodburn, bought the flock from the paddock, penned them onto the driveway then wormed and dagged them.

Flock of sheep, predominantly white and light grey, with a few darker ones, gathered in a farmyard. They are near a wooden fence and a trough, suggesting they are being fed. The background depicts lush green trees and a cloudy sky; the overall setting is pastoral and rural.

Lambs are weary of being penned, but I think some know that we look after them.

Flock of sheep gathered in a wooden enclosure. A person can be seen looking out a window of a nearby building. In the background, there's farm machinery (a tractor and a trailer) and a rural landscape. A border collie is visible, partially behind the wooden fence, suggesting the dog might be involved in herding the sheep. The overall scene depicts a typical rural farming setting.

The flock have begun to ex-spell their tapeworm infestation; mucky bums are not usually this bad.

Charlie holding a sheep’s hind leg. The sheep's fleece is heavily matted with dried dung. He is wearing dark green rubber boots. Other sheep are visible in the background. The setting appears to be a farmyard.

We were relieved to find no maggots.

Charlie shearing a sheep's legs using a pair of shears. He is wearing dark blue overalls and green rubber boots. The sheep is light brown, and there are other sheep visible in the background. The setting appears to be a farm or field.

We use a drench to deliver doses of wormer.

Charlie administering medication to a sheep from a large plastic container labelled OVIDRENCH. He is crouched beside a wooden pen containing several sheep. The setting appears to be a rural farm. The overall impression is one of routine farm work, focusing on animal health and welfare.

Our herdwick teg had an sub-dermal injection in the neck and antibiotic spray applied to her sore hooves, all ewes and lambs were wormed and then sprayed against fly strike with Cydectin.Whilst tending to the sheep we were attacked by a huge swarm of midges; Charlie later cut wire gauze to protect or kitchen garden from wild rabbits.

1st

In need of exercise I took my mountain bike around the path of the North East side of Ancrum, following Ale Water north. I rode from my house towards the A68 following a footpath just over Ancrum bridge. The footpath was narrow, and broken with fallen trees.

Path winding through a dense, verdant forest. The path is barely visible, partly obscured by lush, low-lying vegetation. Tall, slender trees with moss-covered trunks line the path, creating a shaded and somewhat secluded atmosphere. The overall impression is one of peaceful seclusion and natural beauty.

There were many ruined buildings here, I stopped, gazed wondering who must of lived in them.

Panoramic view of a wooded area. The scene is dominated by lush green vegetation, including trees, shrubs, and ground cover. A subtle path or trail winds through the woods, and some fallen branches are visible on the forest floor. The overall impression is one of a peaceful, relatively undisturbed natural environment. The lighting suggests it's likely daytime.

These huge leaves, I believe they are named "elephant ears" and are believed to be invasive. I've also found Balsam here, on the banks of the River Teviot, near Monteviot.

Woodland under story teeming with various plants. Large, vibrant green leaves, possibly from a species of butterbur (Petasites), dominate the foreground and mid-ground. Smaller, flowering plants with delicate white blossoms are interspersed throughout the undergrowth. The background features a dense stand of slender trees, creating a shaded and verdant environment.

The path was narrow all the way through, but the incline to the left grew steep; clinging on to abrupt right side corners.

Dirt path winding through a woodland. The trees are densely packed, mostly deciduous, with a mix of heights and thicknesses, creating a shaded and relatively secluded atmosphere. The undergrowth is a mix of ferns, low-lying plants, and leaf litter.

In places the bracken was so thick I could not see my body or feet, but was passable.

Foreground is dominated by ferns and other low-lying vegetation on a gently sloping hillside. Overhead, the canopy of deciduous trees creates dappled shade, with the light filtering through the leaves. The overall impression is one of dense, tranquil woodland.

This hill became steep, but from the photo you can't tell; the purple of this flower against the green is a favourite observance of mine.

Close-up view of a flowering plant, specifically what appears to be a red dead-nettle ( Lamium purpureum). The plant is characterized by its vibrant purple flowers arranged in a vertical spike along a central stem. Surrounding the main stem are broad, green leaves with serrated edges. The background is blurred, indicating a shallow depth of field, but shows a dense patch of similar green foliage.
Dark-grey mountain bike resting on a grassy, dirt path that winds through a lush green forest. The path seems to ascend gently into the woods. The overall atmosphere is tranquil and peaceful. The bike is the central focus, possibly suggesting a pause during a bike ride or a moment of reflection in nature.

Before leaving the woodland I found this old yew tree.

Sprawling, ancient yew tree dominating the frame. Its numerous, gnarled branches create a dense canopy overhead, casting shadows on the ground below. The tree's age and size are evident in its thick, twisted trunk and the extensive reach of its boughs. A small, partially visible path or clearing is visible beneath the tree, with a hint of a wooden fence in the background. The overall atmosphere is one of quiet age and natural majesty, with a slightly mystical or mysterious quality.

We've (me and Charlie) have seen this countryside passing by many times from the A68.

Dirt path winding through a verdant, rolling hillside. The path leads towards a line of trees in the distance. The sky is dramatic, filled with fluffy, cumulus clouds against a backdrop of blue. Scattered wildflowers are visible along the path and the hillside.

The journey here was full of obstructions, gorse, huge puddles, mud and stones.

Pastoral landscape. A gently sloping grassy field occupies the foreground, leading the eye towards a dense line of trees that stretches across the middle ground. Beyond the trees, rolling hills are visible under a partly cloudy sky, with a mix of blue sky and fluffy white and grey clouds.

The short but steep hill climbs were exhausting but exercise is needed. I had to push my bike three quarters of the way; lifting the bikes heavy frame over styles and wire fencing.

Pastoral landscape under a partly cloudy sky. In the foreground is a grassy field with several large moss-covered rocks, possibly remnants of a stone circle or ancient structure. The middle ground displays a rolling landscape of trees and fields, while the background reveals a horizon line with more distant hills under a dramatic sky of blue and grey clouds.

Many stones in line together, appear to be strategic fortifications.

Panoramic view of a tranquil river scene. A stone path or ford crosses a shallow section of a clear river, bordered by lush green vegetation and mature trees. The sky is partly sunny, suggesting a pleasant day. The overall impression is one of peace and serenity in a natural setting.

Murky dank by the bank of Ale water, hung out stagnant, thus became parched of flow.