November 2024

18th

Our Freelander TD4 is to be retired, this 4x4 drove the mile and more; what a Landrover classic! We drove 150 miles, into Wales to purchase this truck.

Dark grey Land Rover Freelander parked in a rural setting. The vehicle is covered in frost, and its rear window has a piece of tape affixed. The background includes a hay bale, farm equipment (possibly a trailer partially covered with a tarp) and a frosty field with trees in the distance. The overall scene suggests a cold, early morning on a farm or agricultural area.

If our tractor had not drove into the rear of this truck, three times, this truck would have been driving through its MOT until May 2025.

14th

Sunrise, you see this hedge, its the only surviving part of the ex-residents garden that wasn't cut down by the housing association. Ancrum had an annaul prize for the best kept garden and this resident won that competition, year on year.

Ancrum village green.

Sunlit autumn scene in a small village. The focal point is a war memorial standing on a small mound covered in fallen leaves. The foreground is densely carpeted with these leaves. Bare trees frame the memorial and the background shows several simple, low buildings. The overall mood is peaceful and reflective, appropriate for the setting of a war memorial. The bright sunlight contrasts with the muted colours of the autumn foliage.

Four months I've lived here, more people spoke to me here in the first two weeks than they did 18 months living in Hawick. I like living in a village.

13th

I often go on wanderings I call Codiwomple, today I photographed my wander about Ancrum Kirkyard.

Weathered information board located outdoors, likely in a historical site. The board provides details about three historical features: Castle Hill (a fort with three enclosures), Old Church (with its history and notable connections), and Hogback Stone (a unique, historically significant stone). The board includes illustrations of the fort, church, and stone, along with text explaining their significance and historical context. The style suggests a historical or archaeological site, potentially in Scotland. The overall message is informative and educational, aiming to provide visitors with a brief history of the location.

The Kirkyard also functions as a Common Wealth graveyard.

Graveyard situated on a gently sloping grassy area. Numerous headstones, predominantly dark-grey or black, are scattered across the field. The background features a line of trees and a hillside under a partly cloudy sky. The overall mood is peaceful and sombre, typical of a cemetery setting.

A very corroded hogback.

Graveyard with numerous weathered gravestones. The focus is on a single, large, recumbent stone, possibly a sarcophagus or a very old grave marker, which is set within a low stone border filled with dark gravel. The stone is light brown and shows significant erosion. The surrounding grass is green and somewhat overgrown.
Graveyard with numerous weathered gravestones and markers. Most are upright slabs of varying sizes and states of repair, some leaning or broken. In the foreground is a large, rectangular, moss-covered stone that appears to be a horizontal grave marker, set within a low stone border filled with gravel. The overall impression is one of age and quiet decay within a natural setting.
Panoramic view of a section of a graveyard. The focal point is a ruined stone structure, possibly a chapel or mausoleum, with several arched openings. The structure is partially overgrown with vegetation. The graveyard itself is sparsely populated with headstones and is covered with fallen autumn leaves. Tall trees surround the graveyard, creating a somewhat sombre and peaceful atmosphere. The overall impression is one of age, decay, and quiet contemplation.
Panoramic view of a section of a graveyard. The foreground and much of the mid-ground are covered in a thick layer of fallen autumn leaves, a predominantly brown and gold colour. Several gravestones and monuments are interspersed among the leaves and trees. On the left, a high, old stone wall runs alongside the path. The path itself is grassy and leads away from the camera through the graveyard. On the right, a line of tall, slender trees stands, making a visual separation between the foreground and the background.
Weathered stone cross, heavily covered in moss, situated in a graveyard. The cross sits atop a tiered, moss-covered base. The surrounding area is overgrown with ivy and fallen leaves, suggesting a state of age and neglect, contributing to a sombre and possibly forgotten atmosphere.
Moss-covered gravestone and a broken cross lying near it, surrounded by fallen brown leaves. The scene is set in a graveyard or similar location, with stone walls and greenery in the background. The overall impression is one of age, decay, and the passage of time.
Stone arch bridge spanning a calm river. The bridge is partially obscured by leafless trees and shrubs, many of which are bare, suggesting it might be autumn or winter. A small hill or mound is visible behind the bridge. The overall scene is peaceful and somewhat muted in colour, reflecting a cold, possibly overcast day.

Castle hill.

Tranquil landscape featuring the ruins of stone buildings nestled beside a calm stream. The ruins appear partially overgrown with vegetation, suggesting abandonment or decay over time. A low stone wall, possibly part of a bridge, is in the foreground, leading to a dirt path that winds past the ruins. In the background, a gently sloping hill covered in low-lying vegetation rises under a clear blue sky.

Ancrum is very safe for walking and the landscape is interesting.

12th

A trip to Longtown, then Carlisle.

Panoramic view of a rural scene. A dark blue Mitsubishi L200 pickup truck, labelled Warrior, is parked on a muddy driveway in front of a white, two-story house. The truck is towing a small trailer. The foreground shows frost-covered grass and a wooden fence. The background reveals a rolling green hill and some trees. The overall impression is one of a quiet, possibly cold, morning in the countryside.
Dark-colored pickup truck parked next to an old, weathered, blue livestock trailer in a rural setting. The trailer appears to be made of wood and metal, showing significant signs of age and wear. The scene is overcast, and there's frost visible on the ground. The overall impression is one of a farm or rural work environment.

We wasn't expecting to find a wether, we thought we had sold them. Wether's, a castrated male lamb, don't behave the same as tups, and blend in with gimmers.

Three sheep huddled together inside a wooden enclosure. Two are dark-coloured, and one is lighter gray or off-white. They appear to be in a trailer or transport vehicle, with straw on the floor. The sheep's fleece is long and somewhat unkempt. The overall mood is one of confinement, but also suggests a sense of quiet togetherness among the animals.

I can't remember how many times I've travelled this journey with Charlie, along the A7, through Langholm and over the border to England.

The sheep breed most sold here at this auction are Cheviots.

Interior of a large livestock barn or auction house. Rows of sheep are contained within red metal pens, extending down long aisles towards the far end of the building where some people can be seen. The barn has a high, corrugated metal roof with skylights that provide natural lighting. The floor is covered in sawdust or similar material.
Large group of sheep penned inside a livestock building. The sheep are predominantly light-coloured, with some variations in wool texture and shade. The building is a metal structure with red framing and a corrugated metal roof. The floor is dirt or compacted earth. A small portion of a darker-coloured sheep is visible in the lower-right corner.

Ears were huge on these Border Leicesters, they look like rabbits than sheep!

Group of sheep crowded together in what appears to be a livestock pen or holding area. The sheep are predominantly white with some variations in shades of grey and brown in their wool. Some sheep have yellow tags in their ears. The pen is constructed of reddish-orange metal bars. One sheep, in the foreground, is in sharp focus, while the others are slightly blurred creating a depth of field effect. The ground is a dirt floor. The overall impression is one of confinement and the routine handling of livestock.
Close-up view of a sheep with unusually large ears, standing amongst a flock of other sheep in what appears to be a livestock pen or auction area. The sheep are mostly white or light-coloured, and some have coloured markings on their fleece. The setting is a barn-like structure with metal pens and a dirt floor. The focus is primarily on the sheep with the prominent ears, drawing attention to its unique characteristic.

The four sheep sold for around £370, we visited Gretna Green retail park then enjoyed a light lunch at the toll house.

Low, stone structure, possibly a modern art installation or a reconstructed ancient structure, that is roughly circular in shape and bisected down the middle, creating a V-shape. It's made of dark, irregularly shaped stones, and sits on a grassy area. In the background are deciduous trees, mostly bare, and a clear blue sky. A power line runs across the sky.

A7 accident forced a lengthy diversion through Eskdalemuir.

9th

We drove down to Berwick on Tweed to have my spinning wheel looked at; then visited Spital Beach. This is the first time we have driven our new truck some distance; we purchased a Mitsubishi Warrior a few days ago. Our old Freelander 1 is to be retired shorty.

Dark-blue Mitsubishi L200 Warrior pickup truck parked on a street next to a small, light-coloured building with a red wall behind it. Several blue bollards are visible in the foreground, and other cars are parked further down the street. The overall setting appears to be residential or coastal, with a somewhat overcast sky.

The truck has some problems that require fixing, hence us purchasing for slightly more than half the market value. Charlie was excited to play the penny amusements.

Interior of an arcade. It's a panoramic view, showcasing a variety of arcade games, mostly slot machines and amusement machines, lining the walls of a room with red walls and an ornate ceiling. A prominent Penny Falls machine is centrally located. Charlie is visible standing near some of the machines on the right. The overall lighting is dim, highlighting the bright lights and displays of the gaming machines.

When I look at these photographs I hear "Win yourself a cheap tray" from Morrisey's "Every day is like Sunday" song.

Panoramic view of the interior of an arcade. Numerous arcade games are visible, including rows of slot machines, a prominent London Bus themed multi-game machine, and various other ticket and prize redemption games. The arcade has a dark, somewhat dimly lit interior with red walls and a high, arched ceiling. The overall impression is one of a classic, perhaps slightly dated, amusement arcade.

And then "Share some grease tea coffee with me"; but the ice creams are delicious.

Close-up of a disposable cup of coffee sitting on a dark surface. The background is out of focus but clearly depicts an outdoor cafe setting overlooking a beach on an overcast day. Several empty tables and chairs are visible. The overall mood is tranquil and slightly melancholic.
Close-up of Leonie's hand holding a soft-serve ice cream cone. The ice cream is white and has a chocolate flake on top. The background is blurred but shows a seaside location with a building and a car.

The beach was eiry quiet, reminded me of the crazy sci-fi New Zealand film The Quiet Earth (1985).

Panoramic view of a wide, sandy beach with gentle waves lapping the shore. The sky is mostly cloudy, with patches of blue visible. A single, small figure is visible in the distance walking along the beach. Buildings are visible in the far distance on either side of the beach. The overall mood is serene and somewhat melancholic, due to the overcast sky and the solitary figure.

I had a dream, that I was kneeling on flat compressed sand, encircled by hooded priests; shortly afterwards all that crazy stuff happened in India to me.

Charlie walking away from the viewer on a beach. The sand in the foreground has the name Leonie written in large letters. The ocean is calm with a mostly overcast sky. A breakwater is visible in the distance. The overall mood is serene and slightly melancholic.

I think most English people of my era have at some point in their lives experienced the Sunday song; it makes me laugh to hear them sing along to a live Morrisey in concert.

Each scene under a cloudy sky. The ocean is calm with small waves gently lapping onto the dark sand. A long, low structure, possibly a breakwater, is visible in the distance along the shoreline. The overall mood is serene and somewhat melancholic due to the muted colours and overcast sky.
Wide, sandy beach under a cloudy sky. Gentle waves lap the shore, leaving a trail of white foam on the dark sand. In the distance, a line of buildings is visible along the coast. The overall mood is serene and somewhat melancholic due to the overcast conditions.
Wide, sandy beach under a cloudy sky. A tall, curved concrete wall runs along the right edge of the frame. In the distance, a small town or village is visible along the coastline. The overall mood is somber and somewhat desolate due to the overcast weather.
Long, sandy beach stretching towards a pier with a lighthouse at the end. A high, curved concrete seawall dominates the left side of the frame, running parallel to the beach. The sky is overcast and the overall mood is calm and somewhat subdued. A few figures are visible in the distance on the beach.
Dead crab lying on a sandy beach amongst small pieces of driftwood. The crab appears partially decomposed and its shell is damaged. The overall impression is one of decay and the natural cycle of life and death in a coastal environment.

We had planned to visit the Duddo Staines, but we felt tired as the weather changed; every day became silent and grey.

8th

Pees and..

Black and white Border Collie dog urinating against a low stone wall on a street. The dog is leashed. Fallen autumn leaves are scattered on the ground. A flower bed and a blue recycling bin are visible in the background.
Black and white Border Collie dog on a leash, squatting to defecate on the edge of a grassy verge beside a dirt track. The dog's back is to the camera. The background shows a country lane, with vegetation and a stone wall visible.

the poos.

7th

The Capon Tree was one of the 50 Great British Trees selected by The Tree Council in 2002 the year of the Queen's Golden Jubilee and in 2024 it was in the short list for "Tree of the Year". This is one of the last surviving trees of the ancient Scottish Jedforest.

Large, leafless tree in the foreground, its branches reaching towards a cloudy sky. The tree appears old and possibly somewhat damaged or leaning. The ground is covered in fallen brown leaves, indicating autumn. Other trees, some with remaining autumn leaves, are visible in the background, forming a slope or hillside. A dark pole or pipe leans against the main tree. In the far distance a road and car can be seen. The overall mood is sombre and somewhat desolate.
Large, old oak tree that has fallen or broken, with its trunk lying on the ground. The tree is partially covered in moss and its branches are sprawling across the ground. A metal support structure is visible near the base of the tree, possibly for support or protection. The surrounding area is a field with grass and fallen leaves, indicative of autumn. In the background, there's a hedgerow and a line of trees on a hillside. The overall mood is one of quiet natural decay and the passage of time.
Large, old oak tree in a park or woodland setting. The tree is prominent in the foreground, its massive trunk covered in moss and displaying a gnarled, textured surface. The tree's branches spread wide, partially obscuring the background. Autumnal colours are visible in the leaves on the ground and in some of the surrounding trees. A low wooden fence is visible in the mid-ground, suggesting some form of boundary. A string of small, colourful flags is faintly visible in the lower right corner. The overall mood is one of serene autumnal beauty.

I knew the tree had ceremonial significance to the Jedburgh Callant who, with his henchmen receives a sprig from the tree. A definition of a henchman reads as thus:

Someone who does unpleasant or illegal things for a powerful person.

Cambridge English Dictionary.

From being born in England, I'm interested in psychoanalysing Scottish Anglophobic hatred in the 21st century, perhaps I am going to make this a project.

Informational sign about the Capon Tree in Jedburgh, Scotland. The sign details the tree's history, estimated age (700-1000 years), significance as a historical landmark and its connection to the Jethart Callant's Festival. Images on the sign depict the tree, the festival, and a historical ceremony. The text also discusses the possible meaning of Capon and how the tree served as a trysting place during times of border conflict between Scotland and England. A map shows the tree's location and a QR code provides further information.
Large, old tree with moss growing on its branches and trunk, arching over a grassy field. The tree's branches are bare, or nearly bare, suggesting it may be autumn or winter. A rustic wooden fence is visible in the background, adding to the rural feel of the scene. The overall mood is one of quietude and age, a sense of the passage of time reflected in the tree's weathered appearance.

Other than 18th century propaganda the English as far as I am aware don't have any Anti-Scottish sentiment existing in present day ritualised customs or annual celebrations, less nationalism forged from anti-Scottish sentiment. I suppose there are worse things happening other than a reinactment of human hunting, historic xenophobia and legacy misogyny.

5th

I love a good community fire, alas in a village I can call home. I don't know what I enjoyed more, the fire, or the excitement from the fire being there.

Close-up selfie of Leonie wearing a dark beanie with a pompom. She is standing in front of a large bonfire at night. The flames are bright and illuminate her face, casting a warm, orange glow. In the background, several people are visible standing near a pile of what appears to be a Christmas tree or other brushwood, ready to be burned. The setting appears to be outdoors, likely in a park or field. The overall mood is one of warmth and community, possibly suggesting a bonfire celebration or community event.
Bonfire at night, surrounded by a crowd of people silhouetted against the flames. The bonfire is large and bright, casting a warm glow on the onlookers. There’s a stone monument or cross in the foreground, partially obscuring some of the crowd. The scene is set in a park-like environment with trees, some of which are bare and others with leaves illuminated by the firelight. The overall atmosphere is one of community and celebration, possibly a festive event.
Large bonfire burning brightly at night, with sparks flying into the air. A group of people are standing in the foreground, watching the bonfire. The atmosphere is festive, possibly part of a community event or celebration. The scene is set outdoors in a park-like area near buildings. The overall mood is one of warmth and shared experience.

No fireworks this year, we had one extra sparkler, I gave to a steward to give to a child.

4th

A picture of this years cade lamb, she sits inside the ringfeeder chewing her cud.

Ewe lamb lying down in a round hay feeder. This sheep is light gray with a small, teal-coloured marking on its back. Other sheep are partially visible behind it, also within the hay feeder, which is constructed of metal bars. The hay is dry and light brown.

I called her stumpy cause her legs did not work due to selenium deficancy.

2nd

Our poly tunnel is ready for occupation, ewes in lamb will be joining these gimmers during the next couple of days. This year we have only forty sheep, our lowest winter flock so far; we may even let some gimmers and a few ewes in lamb go in the coming weeks.

Large round bale of hay being lifted by a blue rope and placed onto a rusty trailer. The trailer is already filled with a significant amount of grain. The setting appears to be a rural farm with old farm equipment visible in the background.

I'm enjoy conversation, so do feel free to comment on these diary entries. Charlie returned from feeding coos, with a trailer full of grain and a bale of hay.

Close-up view of a large quantity of wheat grains. The grains are light brown and appear dry. The image fills the entire frame with the wheat, creating a textured background.

We have about one and a half tonne of gain in the hopper, enough to last the winter. It's calming being with the gimmers, although when the ewes in lamb return that'll change.