May 2024

13th

I'm fifty years old today, never thought I'd get to live to this age, I'll say now that it doesn't feel much different; although I noticed my turning forty significantly more.

High-angle, long shot of a valley. Two steep, grassy hillsides converge in the middle distance, creating a V-shaped valley. A winding road and a small stream are visible at the bottom of the valley. The sky is mostly cloudy, with patches of blue showing through. The overall impression is one of wild, unspoiled natural beauty.

Today Charlie woke me with coffee, blew up six birthday balloons upon a table and presented me with a card and cake; he makes me feel special, even on his off days.

Panoramic view of a mountainous landscape. Rolling green hills, a valley with a small stream or river, and a stone pathway winding up one of the hillsides are prominent features. The sky is partly cloudy, with a mix of blue sky and fluffy white clouds. The overall impression is one of a serene, natural, and somewhat remote environment, possibly a hiking or walking trail in a rural area.

Later he drove me to Grey Mare's Tail, a 200 ft waterfall near Moffat. He wanted walk to the top, I insisted he go ahead when I had to turn back as stomach pains became worst a quarter of the way to the top. I enjoyed the walk, the air and views; took pictures of goats and the waterfall. Charlie walked down with me, we both appreciated the ascetic scenery.

High-angle, long shot of a waterfall cascading down a steep, verdant valley nestled between two mountains. A faint trail is visible winding along one of the mountain slopes. The sky is partly cloudy, with patches of blue visible. The overall impression is one of wild, unspoiled natural beauty.

We drove into Moffat, browsed some shops, enjoyed takeaway lunch at a bakery before visiting Moffat museum. The model railway was really quite something, although not presently working; before departing we talked to two friendly volunteers before signing the guest book. I also visited my pottery friends, she gave me a bar of soap for my birthday.

Panoramic view of a rolling green landscape, possibly in a mountainous region. The foreground is dominated by grassy hills, while the middle ground shows a valley or depression in the land, revealing a different coloured soil or vegetation. In the far distance, more hills and possibly mountains are visible under a partly cloudy sky. A stone marker or boundary post is noticeable in the lower right of the image, suggesting a point of interest or marking a boundary.

During the day I received well wishes from three friends on Facebook; returning to Roberton we stopped to view the Devil's Beeftub and read about it's fascinating history. Also along the way we viewed the calming valley's along breezy Talla and Megget waters.

Serene landscape featuring a calm body of water, possibly a lake or reservoir, nestled within a valley. Rolling green hills rise on the far side, their slopes dotted with dark evergreen trees forming a distinct line along the water's edge. The sky is overcast, a soft grey with hints of brighter areas, casting a gentle light on the scene. The foreground shows a rocky shoreline with sparse vegetation.
Tranquil valley scene, likely in a rural or mountainous region. A long, slender lake or reservoir stretches along the valley floor, nestled between steep, green hillsides. A small farm or homestead with a simple building is visible near the lake's edge, suggesting a secluded and peaceful life. Stone walls and fences indicate pastureland and possibly agricultural activity. The overall mood is serene and evokes a sense of isolation and the beauty of untouched nature. The sky is overcast, contributing to the calm, slightly moody atmosphere.

Woodburn farmhouse is looking tidy, late afternoon I planted a flower Charlie bought me at Moffat Garden centre; were having a cooked meal and a stress free quiet night in tonight.

11th

The Scottish Borders town of Hawick is saddling up for Common Riding; a few days ago the Cornet was picked.

Window display, possibly for a shop selling equestrian-related items or gifts. The display features a metallic horse head, several blue ties hanging from a horseshoe rack, a framed photograph of a man in a suit, a blue and gold flag, flowers (including cornflowers), and various smaller items like books and coasters. The overall feel is one of tribute or commemoration, possibly related to a specific person or event. The colour scheme is predominantly blue and gold, with pops of yellow and white from the flowers. A pillow with a depiction of two horses is also visible.

As a centuries-old tradition and considering Common Riding brings money into Hawick and other towns within the Scottish Borders.

Sunny day with a partly cloudy sky. In the foreground is a paved area, possibly a park or walkway, with a metal railing. In the background, a large number of cars are parked in a lot. Further back, a horse trailer is visible, suggesting perhaps a show or event. Two people are walking along a path in the lower left corner of the image. There's a lot of greenery, including trees and a hillside covered in vegetation, in the distance.

I've learned much about the riding during the year and a half I've lived in Hawick. Hawick's monuments are Anglo-phobic, and if I were to look deeper I'd probably surmise Common Riding to be a now inert reverence of human hunting (akin to fox hunting ride out), be either the quarry rievers, clans, or English men.

Statue of a person on horseback raising a flag, set atop a stone pedestal in a town square. The statue appears to be a war memorial, with inscriptions visible on the pedestal. The background features a street with buildings characteristic of a small town or village. The sky is overcast.
Bronze statue depicting a family of five—two adults, two children, and a baby—carrying a flag. The statue is located in a cobblestone plaza in front of a stone building. The scene suggests a journey or a pilgrimage. The somber tone of the sculpture, coupled with the overcast sky, evokes a sense of hardship and determination. The historical setting adds another layer of narrative, hinting at a moment of significant cultural or historical value.

The "Return from Hornshole" statue, was funded by the Common Riding Committee of Hawick. The statue celebrates the slaughter of a group of sleeping English "soldiers" whilst they were camped overnight at Hornshole. During Hawick's Common Riding, the chosen Cornet carries a replica of this very flag. The flag belonged to Hexham Abbey, dedicated to "St Andrew" (St Andrew is celebrated as patron Saint of Scotland).

Stone arch bridge spanning a river. The bridge is made of dark grey stones, and the water below is brown. The surrounding area is wooded, with bare trees in the background suggesting it may be winter or early spring. A small, modern drainage pipe is visible at the base of the bridge's wall. A no entry sign can be seen in the distance on the bridge.

I have discussed the event with local people, and they say the tradition is more anti-women than anti-English; either way, I won't be joining in this year, or the next. Unlike other phobias, Anglophobia correlates with a strong sense of Scottish identity [Hussain and Millar 2005 study, Department of Politics at the University of Glasgow].

Scottish Nationalism rooted in the hatred of English is comparable to Jewish identity being rooted in the hatred of Gentiles.

Indeed, many visitors who arrive in Scotland, some as tourists, have referred to the battle of Coloden visitors centre as Scotland's "Auschwitz"; a view I believe ignorant, but isn't this about ignorance? Perhaps relevant is a quote from former Scottish Journalist of the Year Kevin McKenna via an article in The National labelling English people living in Scotland as:

Colonising wankers

It's difficult to ascertain this to be true or not as I've made no Scottish friends since I came to the borders a year and a half ago, and the eight English friends I've made whilst living within the Scottish Borders have made no Scottish friends either; and they've been living here in Scotland for many, many years. If Jesus returned English, they'd hunt him as Satan.

7th

Mind your waist line if you purchase one of these!

Close-up view of a hand holding a strawberry tart. The tart has a shortbread crust filled with strawberry jam and topped with whipped cream and a fresh strawberry. The background is blurred, showing a car interior and a piece of packaging. The overall impression is one of sweetness and indulgence.

From Beattie’s Bakes in Langholm!

4th

Fruit cake is easy to make and does not require a food processor. I pulled this recipe originally from the BBC and modified it.

Recipe

Heat the oven to 180C. And butter and circular cake tin. Melt the sugar, butter and 225ml water in a large saucepan. Once melted, add the mixed fruit. Bring to a gentle boil, and stirring occasionally, cook until reduced and softened, around 10-15 mins. Remove from the heat and leave to cool to room temperature.

Wooden spoon holding a portion of plump, dark raisins and what looks like candied citrus peel. The spoon is lifting the raisins out of a dark pot containing a simmering liquid and a larger quantity of similar raisins and candied fruit. The liquid appears to be a light brownish-gold colour. The entire scene suggests the preparation of a fruitcake or similar baked good.

Tip the flour, mixed spice, bicarbonate of soda and a pinch of salt into a large bowl.

Mixing bowl containing the wet and dry ingredients for a fruitcake. A wooden spoon is partially visible, suggesting the process of mixing is underway. The wet ingredients appear to be a mixture of fruit (raisins, currants, etc.) soaked in liquid, while the dry ingredients consist primarily of flour. The overall appearance is one of preparation for baking.

Add the cooled fruit mixture (takes a good while to cool off!) and stir, then add the eggs and mix to combine.

Clear plastic bowl containing a mixture of what appears to be a fruitcake batter. A light-yellow, beaten egg mixture is being poured into the bowl from a separate container, using a wooden spoon to stir. The batter already in the bowl contains dark-coloured fruits and nuts.

Immediately after stirring pour out the mixture into a cake tin and place in a preheated oven for 80 mins until dark brown. Insert skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Round cake, possibly a fruitcake, baking in a spring form pan inside an oven. The batter is a light brown colour with visible fruit pieces throughout. The cake appears to be in the middle stages of baking.

Leave to cool in the tin for 10 mins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Fruit cake tastes better the longer it is left to stand.

Round fruitcake on a plate. A slice has been cut out, revealing the dense, dark interior studded with dried fruit. The cake has a glossy, dark brown top. The plate is simple, white with a dark blue rim. The background is a rustic wooden table.

A work in progress in my flat kitchen (emergency accomadation in Hawick).

Kitchen counter with various food ingredients and cooking utensils arranged on it. There's a digital tablet displaying a recipe, suggesting baking or cooking preparation is underway. A scale with what appears to be nuts or chocolate chips is present, along with other ingredients like flour, sugar, and tea bags in jars. Several cooking pans and a mug of tea are also visible, and a stovetop with some pans on it is in the background. The overall impression is that of a home kitchen during meal preparation.

I recommend waiting 3-4 days to cut the cake into slices and serve.

3rd

Ewes and lambs are starting to suffer with sore hoofs, and some have mucky bums; this is a usual for spring time.

Close-up of Charlie's hands using shears to trim the hoof of a sheep. The person's hands are stained purple, likely from dye used in shearing or other farm work. The sheep's fleece is visible in the lower part of the image. The setting appears to be outdoors, on the ground.
Charlie shearing a sheep on a hillside. A border collie dog is watching nearby, behind a wire fence. In the background, a flock of sheep are grazing on the hillside. The overall setting is a rural farm scene.

Whilst the flock is distracted with feeding from the trough Charlie pulls out sheep that require treatment; usually involving dagging (also known as crutching) and hoof trimming / spraying. Wet ground of the Scottish Borders makes sheep susceptible to Strawberry foot.

Close-up view of a Charlie's hands applying purple spray paint to the fleece of a sheep. The sheep's fleece is long, matted, and appears dirty or unkempt. The person's hands are stained with purple paint, and the overall setting appears to be outdoors. The photo suggests a process of marking or treating the sheep, perhaps for identification purposes or as part of a veterinary procedure. A pair of shears is visible in the background, further suggesting a sheep-related activity.
Charlie wearing a fluorescent green high-visibility jacket, spraying purple dye onto the leg of a sheep. The sheep is lying down, and Charlie's hands are stained purple from the dye. The setting appears to be outdoors, in a grassy area.

He caught a Charolais X Herdwick Teg and trimmed, sprayed her hoofs with violet. She's been lamb for a while so this was a wee bit overdue. She is the only sheep not to have lambed or been in lamb this year.

Frog partially submerged in murky pond water. The water is teeming with aquatic plants and submerged debris, creating a somewhat cluttered but natural scene. The frog appears calm and is the central focus of the photograph.

Happy to know at least one frog in the front garden pond has survived the onslaught of hungry badgers whom nightly frequent, during midnight hour, Woodburn farm. We believe there is a set by our redundant ex-barn. The landlord took possession of this barn to sell additional land to a greedy property developer; hence why we now have a poly tunnel.

Charlie wearing a bright yellow high-visibility jacket and muddy work trousers and boots, sitting on a concrete trough. He is bottle-feeding a young lamb. A bag of sheep feed is visible nearby, and a dog is partially visible behind the gate. The setting appears to be a farm, with a whitewashed building and a rustic wooden fence in the background. The overall impression is one of rural life and animal care.
Close-up view of a cluster of bluebells (likely Hyacinthoides non-scripta) in bloom. The flowers are a vibrant light blue-purple, and are arranged in drooping bell shapes along their stems. The plants are growing against a textured, light-grey/off-white wall, and part of a wooden fence is visible in the background to the right. The leaves of the plants are a glossy dark green.

This the last cade lamb to be bottle fed, and his last night being bottle fed. This lamb nearly died twice. He bloats out in the shape of a huge egg after feeding him his bottled milk. Bluebells have appeared by the South West side of the Farmhouse front garden.

2nd

With the flock grazing at grass keep Charlie's been busy mucking out the poly tunnel, he says the job is a marathon and not a sprint.

High-angle view of a rural farm scene. Charlie is seen in the process of loading hay or straw into a trailer using a small tractor. The setting includes a tarp-covered structure possibly for animal shelter, another older trailer-like structure, and a stone wall. The background shows rolling hills typical of a rural landscape. The overall impression is one of farm work and a simple, rustic setting.

Glad to see our lambs have been making use of a tractor trailer to shelter from the rain.

Pastoral scene in what appears to be rural England. A grassy field, dotted with sheep, stretches from the foreground to a low, rolling hill in the background. A stone wall runs along the hill and partially along the right side of the image. An old, dark-coloured farm cart or wagon sits in the middle ground. A small, simple farmhouse is visible in the distance. The overall mood is peaceful and tranquil, suggesting a quiet country life.

We had to jump start the tractor today, the battery is flat. Charlie found the ignition had been switched on; we believe a trespasser I witnessed run off attempted to steal it.

Charlie in a yellow high-visibility jacket standing behind a vintage tractor. He appears to be working on a dark grey vehicle with the hood open, possibly jump-starting it using jumper cables (partially visible). The setting is a farm, with bales of hay, a barn and other farm buildings in the background. The overall impression suggests a rural scene of everyday farm maintenance or repair.

The tractor started with just a few turns, so we continued to spread muck onto the paddock.

Pastoral scene, likely in a rural area of the British Isles. A small tractor is visible in the foreground, moving along a grassy field that shows signs of recent tilling or land preparation. In the mid-ground, a small, white farmhouse is nestled amongst a stand of dark green pine trees on a hillside. The sky is partly cloudy but bright, suggesting a pleasant day.
Weathered, dark-coloured horse trailer, partially covered by a black tarp, situated in the yard. Around the trailer are various farm implements and supplies, including a pile of what appears to be manure or composting material. Old farm buildings, including a whitewashed stone building and a grey-roofed barn, form the backdrop. A wire fence encloses part of the yard. In the distance, a green pasture with numerous sheep is visible, extending beyond a line of trees and hills under a partly sunny sky. The overall impression is one of rustic, working farm life.

He's made a dent in the muck pile already. The poly tunnel was purpose built to the size of the tractor and trailer. It's better to muck out this time of year, less horrible swarm of flies.

1st

This morning I walked to the top of the farmhouse paddock and observed a golden sunlight; during late afternoon, a haze settled in the valley; I walked around checking the welfare of our lambs, they're looking great, and I have benefited from healing being around and about these animals.

Close-up view of a young sheep's face. The sheep has a predominantly white fleece with black markings around its nose and eyes. Its expression is curious and almost playful, with its mouth slightly open, revealing its teeth. The background is blurred but shows green grass and some hay. The overall impression is one of innocence and friendliness.
Two young lambs stand near a large round bale of hay in a pasture. The lambs are light-coloured with a hint of pink marking on one. The background shows a green field and a few distant sheep or cattle.
High-angle, close-up view of two lambs looking directly at the camera. They are light-coloured with dark faces and have pink markings on their wool. The lambs are standing in a grassy field. Leonie's leg and pink shoe are visible in the lower portion of the image.

It's been a quiet May day, I did not associate with any morris dancing or druid rituals as I used to do. Those days have gone, I am relieved to not be about them.