June 2024

11th

Took some time off decorating my bungalow to walk about and explore the surrounding area of my new village.

Picturesque landscape under a vibrant blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds. The foreground features a gently sloping, grassy hill speckled with rocks, primarily one large, light-grey boulder. The mid-ground and background consist of rolling hills covered with lush green vegetation and a distant line of dark green trees.

We drove and parked by the side of old Ancrum Church Yard, and followed Ale water by foot towards an old bridge.

Rural scene featuring a fork in a gravel road leading past the ruins of a stone structure. The ruins appear old and overgrown with vegetation, suggesting abandonment. The background includes a verdant hillside under a partly cloudy sky, with trees lining the landscape.
Ruins of a stone building, partially overgrown with vegetation. A section of a wooden structure is also visible, adjacent to the stone remains. The ruins are situated in a field of tall grass under a partly cloudy sky. A tree grows partially through the stone structure.

We discover Comfrey growing everywhere, Charlie said this was often planted by gypsies.

Dense patch of comfrey plants (Symphytum officinale) in bloom. The plants are covered in numerous small, bell-shaped purple flowers, and their leaves are large and somewhat fuzzy. The background shows a line of trees under a partly cloudy sky.

Another view of the derelict barn.

Stone ruin, possibly a small house or outbuilding, partially overgrown with vegetation. It is situated in a grassy field, with a dirt path leading away from it towards a small stone wall and more trees beyond. The background features a verdant hillside under a partly cloudy blue sky.
Picturesque landscape view, seemingly from a hilltop, overlooking a verdant pasture dotted with sheep. A line of trees forms a natural border between the pasture and a distant village nestled in a valley, further beyond which rolling hills extend under a partly cloudy sky. In the foreground, two large stones are visible, suggesting a natural or possibly ancient feature.
Charlie standing in a grassy field, overlooking a lush green valley and forest under a bright, partly cloudy sky. The foreground is dominated by vibrant green grass, while the background features rolling hills covered with trees. A large boulder is visible near the person in the foreground.
Leonie with her back to the camera, walking away from the viewer across a grassy hillside. She's wearing a dark-coloured top, a green skirt, and a light-coloured beanie. She's carrying a camera. In the background, there's a line of lush green trees and a glimpse of a stone building resembling a castle or manor house, nestled among the trees under a bright, partly cloudy sky.
High-angle, long shot of a pastoral landscape. In the foreground is a grassy hillside with a mossy boulder. The mid-ground displays a verdant field and the ruins of what appears to be an old stone structure or wall, possibly part of a former building or enclosure, leading towards a small stone bridge nestled within a lush green wooded area. The background is a dense, verdant forest under a partly cloudy, bright blue sky.

I really love Ancrum and have settled here, don't think I'll be travelling vagrant again.

Gravel path leading across a low stone bridge. The bridge is made of weathered grey stone, showing signs of age. Lush green vegetation, including tall grasses and trees, surrounds the bridge and path. The sky is partly cloudy, with blue visible.

Ale water.

Tranquil river scene, viewed from a bridge. Lush green vegetation lines both banks of the river, creating a verdant and natural frame. The water is relatively calm, dark, and reflects the surrounding greenery. The sky is partly cloudy, adding depth to the overall composition.

Driving away we noticed a signpost for the caves, with much to do we figured we'd visit these another day. However Charlie stopped so I could take a picture of an information board.

Informational sign at a historical site, likely in Scotland. The sign details the history of Castle Hill, a fort with three enclosures, and the Old Church located there. It mentions the church's history, its association with John Livingston, a significant 17th-century figure, and the lineage connecting him to a New Jersey governor. The sign also describes a Hogback Stone, a unique type of carved stone found at the site, its discovery, deterioration, and eventual restoration. The illustrations on the sign aid in visualising the historical features. The overall theme is the historical and archaeological significance of the location.

Bit disappointed with these pictures, the lens appears dirty top centre, even though I wiped both lenses, hope my phone isn't broken. Whilst up on Castle hill I took some zoom pictures with my 1200mm bridge camera.

Stone structure, possibly a mausoleum or monument, situated atop a hill. The structure is tall and slender, featuring a domed roof and architectural detailing suggestive of a classical or neoclassical style. It's surrounded by greenery, with lush vegetation covering the hill and surrounding landscape. The lower portion of the image shows a field, possibly a crop field, stretching towards the viewer.

Rubislaw from Castle Hill, Ancrum.

Pastoral landscape in the Scottish countryside. In the foreground is a field of short, green grass dotted with small yellow wildflowers and several large, moss-covered stones, possibly remnants of a stone circle or ancient structure. The mid-ground displays rolling hills, farmland, and scattered trees. A distinct hill or small mountain is visible in the distance, under a mostly cloudy but bright sky.

Such a strange hill, dominates this part of the Scottish Borders.

Serene landscape featuring a gently sloping hill in the background, covered in lush greenery. The foreground is dominated by a dense collection of trees and shrubs, creating a natural barrier between the viewer and the hill. A field of cut hay separates the foreground trees and the distant hill. The overall mood is peaceful and tranquil, with a soft, diffused light suggesting an overcast day.

Rubislaw at full zoom.

Distant view of a verdant hill, possibly a mountain, under a muted sky. The hill is characterised by rolling contours, patches of darker vegetation possibly indicating different types of plants or soil composition, and what seems to be a low stone wall or fence traversing its slopes. In the foreground, a line of dense, dark green trees stretches across the bottom of the frame, creating a contrast between the closer, more textured foliage and the smoother, distant slopes of the hill.

The Waterloo Monument.

Tall, slender tower visible in the distance through a foreground of lush green grass and trees. The tower appears to be a monument or landmark, standing atop a hill or rise. The overall mood is serene and tranquil, with a focus on the natural beauty of the landscape. The image's composition uses depth of field to highlight the tower, placing it further away, while the foreground's wildflowers and foliage occupy most of the frame. The gentle light suggests either morning or late afternoon.

Saving for a Nikon P1000 is a low priority at the moment; to get clearer zoom pictures that is the upgrade from my present camera.

9th

We gained access to the Craik to do a welfare check on our sheep, there are seven of our flock grazing within the Craik Forest.

Gravel road winding through a lush green landscape, leading towards a distant valley under a partly cloudy sky. A dark-coloured car's hood is partially visible in the bottom right corner, suggesting a journey or road trip. The overall feeling is one of serene countryside scenery.

Our Craik friends kindly unlocked the forest gate and accompanied us in our truck. On arrival to the field none of our sheep were to be found. As Charlie searched thirty acres of rough grass land I drove the truck along the forest track to the length of the field, but the sheep were not found. I figured six eyes were better than two so returned to pick up Charlie and our friends. We drove uphill to attain a vantage point but gullies, trees, obscured our view.

Panoramic view of a landscape dominated by a vast expanse of verdant, rolling hills covered with lush green forests. In the foreground, a field of bright, yellow-green ferns stretches out, meeting a taller, greener grassy area. A dark, coniferous forest marks the horizon line, contrasting with the lighter shades of the foreground. The sky is a dramatic mix of fluffy white clouds and darker, brooding clouds, suggesting a day with shifting weather patterns. The overall impression is one of peaceful natural beauty, with a slight suggestion of both tranquillity and potential storm.

The size of the Craik forest is one-hundred square miles, finding missing sheep here is a daunting task; our sheep were last seen twenty-four hours ago. Charlie scanned the dusty forest track for evidence of sheep poo whilst I scanned a steep incline below. He saw sheep poo everywhere, I was sure he was also tracking badger, deer, fox poo also but he swore this poop we were tracking was from sheep. We searched a two mile radius, driving for just over an hour. We had planned to move furniture from my old flat in Hawick to my new bungalow in Ancrum, and also make a steak and onion pie, none of this happened. After seeing the Forest Ranger, we searched some more before deciding to head back to Woodburn farm. As we were leaving the forest Charlie found the sheep. Lucky for us they were returning in direction of the their grazing.

Gravel road winding through a lush green forest under a partly cloudy sky. Two dogs are visible in the distance walking down the road. The view is from inside a vehicle, with the car's windshield and dashboard partially visible in the foreground. A pile of gravel is situated on the roadside.

The old Zwartble ewe was experiencing tiredness, clearly unable to keep up with the much younger mother ewes and lambs of this flock. This year this Zwartble ewe is going to cast, she is ten years old, and no longer able to lamb without potentially serious complications. We spent another hour securely penning the sheep into a paddock, the sheep are vigilant of goats who also graze the field. Usually one or two sheep go missing, not seven!

Close-up shot of a sheep's face. The focus is primarily on the sheep's eye, which is large and dark, and the thick, fluffy, light grey and dark grey wool surrounding it. The sheep's ear and part of its nose are also visible. The background is blurred but shows green grass. The overall impression is a friendly, curious gaze from the animal.

Leaving Woodburn Farmhouse my cade lamb came to see me for a pet on the nose; I feel for them, being motherless, and it's utterly vile seeing their mother ewes turn against them.

7th

Walking Sam in my new village of Ancrum.

Leonie taking Charlie's dog for a walk. Leonie is wearing a beige knit hat, sunglasses, and a dark top with a white and blue pattern. She is holding a clear plastic container in her hand. The dog, a black and white Border Collie, is on a leash and is in the process of urinating on the grass. The setting is a grassy field, possibly a park or rural area. The overall mood is relaxed and mundane, depicting an everyday occurrence of a person walking their dog.
Border Collie dog sitting on a grassy path that winds through a field bordered by tall grass and lush green trees under a bright, sunny sky with a few fluffy white clouds. The dog appears relaxed and content, with its tongue slightly out. The overall scene is peaceful and idyllic, evoking a sense of tranquillity and the beauty of nature.
Tranquil rural landscape under a bright, partly cloudy sky. The foreground is dominated by a field of tall, green grass. In the mid ground, a stone wall stretches across the width of the image, separating the grassy field from a cultivated field beyond. This cultivated field extends to the horizon, where rolling hills and a distant line of trees are visible. The overall impression is one of peaceful countryside scenery on a sunny day.
Sunny day in a rural area. Two grassy paths diverge from a central point, one leading into a wooded area and the other towards a grassy hill. A dog is visible lying down on the grass next to one of the paths. The overall impression is one of peace and tranquillity, a pleasant outdoor scene on a bright, clear day.
Panoramic view of a sunny, grassy landscape. A dirt path winds through lush green vegetation, bordered by taller grasses and wildflowers. In the background, a gentle rise features a cluster of trees, beyond which a wider expanse of grassland stretches under a clear blue sky with a few fluffy clouds. The scene is peaceful and evokes a feeling of nature's tranquillity.

Have to pinch myself to feel like I am here, settled, living in a house I can call home.

5th

Been painting our new home in Ancrum; Charlie has been helping me move some furniture from my old flat in Hawick.

Room with dark blue walls and a large window overlooking a garden. A wooden chair sits near the window with a doll seated on it. A small bag lies on the floor beside the chair. A dark wooden table with various items, including a mug, is partially visible in the foreground. The floor appears to be unfinished wood. The overall impression is one of a room undergoing renovation or decoration.
Close-up selfie of a middle-aged woman (leonie) with light skin and curly, light brown hair. She's wearing a cream-coloured knit beanie pulled low over her forehead, a black cardigan, and a silver necklace featuring a circular pendant. The woman's expression is somewhat neutral, perhaps slightly pensive. The background is a solid, deep blue.

I've have also been helped by a housing support worker from the council, she was there when I was vulnerable and isolated. It's taken a long time to raise my gaze and remove the pain from my eyes; healing my soul before I die. The photograph above has no filters, I am 18,286 days old.

3rd

Today. having signed a Secure Tenancy Agreement I am no longer homeless, for the first day in very long, traumatising, and at times life threatening twenty years. I have waited to be rehoused residing in emergency accommodation, a flat located in Hawick since November 2022; and from today I now have a place I can make my home.

2nd

We had planned to rest this Sunday, but we both set to work on weeding our Kitchen Garden.

White butterfly with black markings on its wings, delicately perched atop a small, light purple flower. The butterfly and flower are nestled amongst vibrant green foliage, suggesting a natural, outdoor setting. The focus is sharp on the butterfly, creating a contrast against the slightly blurred background of leaves and grasses.

The garden was overgrown with dock leaves, nettles, cleavers and another unknown weed, it took us two hours to complete the job; then we set about sowing seeds.

Panoramic view of a rural landscape on a bright, sunny day. The foreground features a vegetable garden with various plants growing, including what appears to be potatoes and other leafy greens. A person is visible tending to the garden. Behind the garden is a farmhouse, an old barn, and a large black plastic-covered structure, possibly a temporary shelter or greenhouse. The background includes rolling green hills under a vibrant blue sky filled with fluffy white clouds. The overall impression is one of a working farm or homestead, conveying a sense of rural life and self-sufficiency.

Several potato plants from last year are growing again, and carrot, turnip and parsnip have flowered and will be shortly going to seed.

Close-up of a single stalk of bright yellow mustard flowers. The flowers are in various stages of bloom, some fully open, others still buds. The background is blurred but shows a lush green garden. Small insects are visible on some of the flowers. The overall impression is one of vibrant springtime growth.
Close-up view of a harvested root vegetable, possibly a parsnip or similar, still partially embedded in the soil. The root is dirty and shows signs of having been recently pulled from the ground. The surrounding environment is a garden bed with various weeds and grasses. The focus is primarily on the root vegetable itself.
Close-up view of a flowering plant. The plant has bright green, vibrant leaves and multiple small, round clusters of bright yellow-green flowers forming an umbel. The background is blurred, focusing attention on the plant's details. The overall impression is one of freshness and vibrancy.
Freshly tilled section of garden soil, divided into rows by thin green strings. Wooden stakes mark the boundaries of the plot. The area is enclosed by chicken wire fencing, behind which is a dark tarp and a stone wall. Some sparse weeds and grass are visible in the soil, and a small white label is stuck in the ground near the fence. The background includes a grassy hillside and some trees under a partly cloudy sky.
Three seed packets lying on a wooden surface. The packets are for runner beans (Scarlet Emperor), broccoli (Burbank F1), and beetroot (Red Ace F1). The photo appears to be taken in a domestic setting, possibly a kitchen, suggesting preparation for gardening or planting. The focus is on the seed packets themselves, highlighting the varieties and their descriptions. There is no particular narrative or emotional expression beyond the simple depiction of gardening supplies. The moral is implicitly about the cycle of life and the act of nurturing, as is associated with gardening and planting seeds.
Charlie's hand gently placing a seed potato into the ground. The potato is already sprouting. The soil is dark and rich, with bits of organic matter visible. The overall impression is one of gardening and the beginning of the growing season.

This year we're planting beetroot, runner beans, onion, broccoli, and potatoes, allotting space to grow spinach and a culinary herb garden. BTW we've a Common rider scarecrow.

Small vegetable garden plot, enclosed by a low wooden fence and situated against a stone wall. The plot contains freshly tilled dark soil, young vegetable plants (some in buckets), and weeds. Beyond the fence, a rolling green hillside dotted with sheep and trees stretches to a distant horizon under a partly cloudy sky. The overall impression is of a rural, perhaps somewhat isolated, setting.

The cade lambs were cooling down within the shadow of Woodburn farm house.

Six young lambs lying on the ground near a stone building. The lambs are light-coloured, mostly white with a hint of gray, and appear to be resting. They are situated near a door and some discarded building materials. The overall setting suggests a rural or farm environment.

With our Kitchen garden weeded and seeds sown, we pulled out and lit our barbecue; and enjoyed sizzling chicken, mushroom, pepper and bacon roast spits.

I am not used to cooking barbecues, a steep learning curve for me having been vegetarian / vegan for thirty years; but Charlie seems to like my outdoor cooking.

Two men shearing a black sheep in a rural setting. One man is kneeling and using shears to cut the sheep's wool, while the other man stands nearby, seemingly observing. The background features farm buildings, fields, and a stone wall, reinforcing the agricultural context. The scene suggests a typical day of farm work.

During the evening we visited a friend, Charlie sheared one of his Hebridean sheep and two of our sheep, Teeswater and Zwartble Mother ewes.

Charlie and another man shearing a sheep in a rural setting. The man is kneeling and actively shearing the sheep, while Charlie stands nearby, observing. The sheep is lying on the ground, with a significant amount of its fleece already removed. The scene is outdoors, with grassy fields and a wooden fence visible in the background.

Charlie taught our friend how to shear, he was eager to learn; despite being bothered by an onslaught of midges; the breeze is a blessing this time of year within the Craik Forest.

1st

A lamb has died at grass keep, squashed, we suspect the mother ewe of sitting on this lamb. We packed sheep welfare equipment into our truck, and drove to Selkirk grass keep to collect the dead lamb.

Deceased lamb lying in a grassy field, near a wire fence. The lamb appears to have suffered a head injury, indicated by blood visible on its face. The overall scene is somber and suggests the lamb died violently or unexpectedly.

We arrived to find the lambs eyes had gone, red lines falling over the lambs face were high in contrast to the back drop of pale cream wool. How could the lamb bleed so much if it were not alive when the eyes were taken out I asked.

Dead sheep lying in a grassy field. The sheep's head is heavily bloodied, indicating a violent death. A green ear tag is visible.

I'd read that the birds wait for a while after a animal dies before they feed from it, but Charlie said this lambs was still warm, when the lamb was found.

Charlie carefully placing a deceased lamb into a burlap sack. The lamb's fleece is visible. The setting is a rural, grassy area with a wooden fence in the background. The overall mood is somber and evokes a sense of loss associated with farming and animal husbandry.

The day was warm, Charlie was worried about the smell from the lamb decaying in the boot of our truck; as I thought about potential flies homing in.

Dark-grey Land Rover parked on a narrow country lane, its rear door open to reveal several yellow sacks inside. The lane is lined with lush green trees and foliage. A rustic wooden fence with moss is visible on the left, and a discarded white sack lies on the grass beside it. The overall scene suggests a rural, possibly agricultural, setting, with the vehicle likely used for transporting goods or supplies.

Tomorrow we'll call out the knacker man to fetch the dead lamb from Woodburn, he drives a red and white lorry with a red and black bull logo, uncanny. Charlie opened the field gate and beckoned ewes and lambs with lamb pellets, they are attracted by the crumple sound of the plastic bag.

Panoramic view of a sunny day on a farm. A man is shearing a sheep in a grassy field, surrounded by trees and a wooden fence. The sky is clear blue with a few clouds. Other farm buildings and possibly other animals are visible in the background. The overall scene evokes a sense of rural life and agricultural work.

Only half the flock came to feed, most of the lambs were duly suspicious, irony for us as we wanted to worm these lambs for fluke. I took lots of shearing footage in portrait view but this Linux video editor does not want to resize and render in a viewable website format. On the way to Denholm, passing a horse box we watched a farmer bailing silage.

There was a Common Riding gathering at Denholm village green; but why should we bother with that I thought, we're English.

Charlie sitting in the driver's seat of a blue tractor. He is wearing a plaid shirt and jeans. He appears to be middle-aged and has glasses. The tractor is modern and clean. The image is taken from a low angle, looking up at the man and the tractor. The sky is bright blue and sunny. The overall impression is one of a sunny day and a hard-working farmer.

This afternoon I accompanied Charlie to his work place, today we are driving a tractor through the fields, turning silage.

Leonie from behind, wearing a beige knit hat with a pompom, a black top, and a teal layered skirt. She's opening or closing a metal farm gate in a grassy field. A portion of a red piece of farm machinery is visible in the bottom left corner. The overall impression is of a rural scene, possibly depicting a farmer or someone working on a farm.

He struggled with the silage turner, having to return to the farm yard twice before fixing the problem. The first field took forty-five minutes to turn, the second thirty minutes, in-between these two fields Charlie fed the coos whilst I took photographs.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow ( Passer montanus) nestled in a crack in a rough grey stone wall. The sparrow is facing to the left of the frame, and its brown and rufous plumage is clearly visible against the stone. The background is entirely composed of the textured stone wall.
Small brown bird, possibly a sparrow, perched inside a crevice in a stone wall. The bird appears to be resting or taking a break, and the overall tone is one of quiet observation.

Whilst waiting for Charlie I noticed the Common riding on the hillside, presumably the Denholm ride out, riding near Rubis Law, out hunting English people on horse back.

Large group of people on horseback gathered in a grassy field. They appear to be participating in some kind of equestrian event or gathering, possibly a hunt or a trail ride, given their attire and the distribution across the field. The riders are wearing similar light-coloured clothing. The setting is rural, with a background of lush green trees.

Fy, Fa and fum,
I smell the blood of an Englishman

Thomas Nashe, Haue with You to Saffron-Walden, 1596.

Returning to Hawick we noticed the Common riding had gathered at Hornshole to celebrate the slaughter of English men in their sleep; Charlie stated he found the event distasteful; witnessing the "dark tourism" spectacle twisted my stomach. We enjoyed fish and chips from Tony's fish bar in Burnfoot, then crashed out as if we'd been drugged. Charlie had to travelled twenty miles after 10pm to feed the sheep, he was so tired when he returned; I was sprawled on the bed.