October 2024

31st

Charlie purchase a pumpkin and sweets for me to give to the trick or treating children of Ancrum. This is the first pumpkin I've made, in my fifty years on this earth!

Close-up view of Leonie carving a pumpkin. A knife is being used to cut into the pumpkin's flesh, which has a sketched design on its surface. The design appears to be a stylised with triangles for eyes. The pumpkin is partially carved and some of the inside flesh is visible. The setting appears to be a kitchen counter.

The process of making a pumpkin was easy, more so after watching a "how to do" Youtube video; spooning out stringy slime and slippery seeds was an experience.

Carved Halloween pumpkin sitting on a dark brown wooden table. The pumpkin's design is a grinning face, with the eyes, nose, and mouth only partially cut out; the lines indicating the cuts are still visible. The background is slightly blurred but shows a dark blue wall, part of a deer-head ornament, and a portion of an armchair. The overall impression is one of a work in progress, a pumpkin being prepared for Halloween.

I sat down with the pumpkin, and watched John Carpenter's Halloween 3, Season of the Witch; I feared this movie as a child, now I'm humoured.

Carved jack-o'-lantern sitting on a small, round, black glass-topped table in a backyard at dusk. The pumpkin's face is classic, with triangular eyes, a wide nose, and a toothy grin. A candle or light inside illuminates the carving, casting a warm glow. The background is slightly blurred but shows a house and some greenery, suggesting a domestic Halloween setting. The overall mood is pleasantly spooky and autumnal.

My hands have not been steady from power washing my patio, I thought about using a tripod but chose to film this moment authentically.

The children's trick or treat costumes were impressive, after they threatened to smash out my windows and never come back I handed them two sealed buckets of sweets.

26th

Fetching two oil paintings from Railtons in Wooler enabled a day out in Northumbria; we coddiwompled to Chillingham. After viewing todays lots we decided not to bid any further at Railtons; Charlie picked up his two oil paintings, both were of a countryside setting, and have heavy gilded frames.

Quiet street scene in what appears to be a small, historic town in the United Kingdom. Stone buildings line both sides of the road, which is relatively empty except for a few parked cars and a small group of pedestrians. The sky is overcast, giving the scene a somewhat somber but peaceful atmosphere. The architecture suggests a traditional, possibly older, town with a mix of residential and small business spaces. The overall feeling is one of calmness and quiet daily life in a quaint setting.
Wooler.

I've often wonder how Railton gets bidders to purchase things they don't want; walking around the auction house today I could clearly see how he achieves this. The lots were not placed in numbered order, but scattered around the premiss as if they were bingo balls. He also uses mind tricks during the auction accompanied by tongue and cheek humour. Selling a Scottish lot he says "Donald where's your trousers"; very old school.

Panoramic view of a grassy field under a bright, partly cloudy sky. A tall, slender stone, possibly a standing stone or monolith, is the central focus, enclosed by a simple black metal fence. The surrounding landscape is gently rolling hills, indicative of a rural or agricultural setting. The overall impression is one of tranquillity and openness, with the stone suggesting a historical or archaeological significance to the location
Panoramic view of a landscape dominated by a stone tower, reminiscent of a folly or small castle. The tower stands in a field of tall, dry grass under a bright, sunny sky with scattered fluffy white clouds. The background shows a gently rolling, grassy landscape extending to a distant horizon.

After visiting an antiques warehouse by a garage we discovered an observation point named Hurlestone Tower; 60 metres away there is a medieval Hurl Stone.

Solitary, stone tower, reminiscent of a small castle or folly, standing in a field of tall, dry, golden grass under a bright blue sky with scattered fluffy white clouds. In the distance, rolling hills are visible under the clear sky. The overall impression is one of serenity and tranquillity, accentuated by the contrast of the man-made structure against the expansive natural landscape.
Stone tower, reminiscent of a small castle or folly, standing in a grassy field under a partly cloudy blue sky. The tower is circular with crenellations at the top, arched windows, and a wooden door. A weathered metal fence with a gate stands in the foreground. The scene is peaceful and evokes a sense of quiet history or solitude.
Tall, slender, weathered stone standing upright in a grassy field, enclosed by a black metal fence. The sky is a brilliant blue with fluffy white clouds. Rolling green hills stretch out into the distance under the expansive sky. The overall impression is one of serenity and the quiet majesty of the landscape. The stone itself appears ancient, possibly a standing stone or menhir, suggesting a historical or possibly even mystical significance.
Tall, slender standing stone in a grassy field, enclosed by a black metal fence. In the far distance, a small, brick tower-like structure is visible against a backdrop of rolling hills under a bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds. The scene evokes a sense of history and peaceful rural landscape.

Charlie wanted to visit the wild cows, so that's what we did.

Wooden pavilion nestled in a verdant expanse of lawn. Tall trees with autumnal foliage form a backdrop, lending a serene ambience to the scene. A light-coloured vehicle is parked near the pavilion. The overall impression is one of peaceful tranquillity, characteristic of a park or woodland setting.

The area was creepy, and unfriendly, a glaring Italian man was the focus of much attention before we got to ask only a few limited questions. The tour was via a land drover towing a seated trailer, we had a forty five minute wait so visited a nearby church.

Rustic stone chapel nestled within a woodland setting. The chapel, appearing aged and possibly abandoned, is partially obscured by the foliage of deciduous trees, many of which are displaying autumnal colours (yellow and brown). A wooden gate stands in the foreground, suggesting a path leading to the chapel. The ground is covered with fallen leaves, reinforcing the autumnal atmosphere. The sky is partly cloudy, with patches of blue visible. The overall mood is serene yet tinged with a sense of age and quiet solitude.
Stone building, possibly a small castle or folly, nestled amongst autumnal trees. Fallen yellow leaves blanket the ground in the foreground, creating a vibrant autumnal scene. A pathway leads towards the building, which is partially obscured by trees and vegetation. The overall mood is peaceful and serene.
Close-up view of a weathered, moss-covered gravestone. The stone features a carved relief of an angelic or cherubic face with wings, situated within an ornate frame. A second, simpler, upright gravestone is partially visible in the background. The scene is set in a graveyard, with autumn leaves scattered on the ground. The overall impression is one of age, decay, and the passage of time.
Interior of a stone church. The nave is lined with dark wooden pews, and a red carpet runs down the centre aisle towards the altar area. The church's stone walls are old and uneven, with several small, high windows letting in some light. The overall feeling is one of age, simplicity, and quiet contemplation.
Interior of a stone chapel or church, specifically focusing on an elaborate, ornate tomb. The tomb is large, intricately carved with numerous figures and details, and sits against a rough-hewn stone wall. A small, arched window is visible to the left of the tomb, letting in some light. A simple wooden bench is situated in front of the tomb. The overall atmosphere is one of age, history, and quiet reverence.

Then we returned to the wild cow information hut, I purchased a supporters badge.

Interior of a rustic wooden structure, possibly an information centre or visitor's shelter in a nature reserve. The building is made of natural wood with a high, exposed beam ceiling. There's a concrete floor, and several informational displays are visible, including one showcasing fungi. A glass-fronted cabinet displays various natural specimens, possibly bones or fossils. Simple wooden benches are also present. The overall atmosphere is calm and natural.
Close-up of a circular button or badge pinned to a dark grey ribbed fabric. The badge features a photograph of a white bull with reddish-brown ears, set against a green grassy background. The text around the image reads The Wild Cattle of Chillingham.

Our tour guide towed us up a bumpy track, after five minutes we could over wild coos in the field below us; I asked myself "why did I not bring my zoom camera"?

Herd of white cattle grazes peacefully in a lush green field. The field is gently sloped, leading up to a rolling hillside covered in a mix of deciduous trees exhibiting autumnal colours. The background is a mix of colourful trees and a darker coniferous forest on the upper horizon, under a mostly cloudy sky.

After a dirty bull stomped away visibly upset the herd grazed closer to our group. I was reluctant to utilise digital zoom snapping this picture because of degradation from pixelation; I also filmed a short video clip. The tour guide was informative but after five minutes I was wanting to leave; Charlie commented how strange made him feel to pay £10 each to see cows in a field, but he works with cows every other day; and this was the exception, these are wild coos!

Silver Land Rover Defender parked next to a dark-green trailer in a wooded area. The trailer appears to be designed for carrying passengers, possibly for game viewing or similar activities, given the setting and the Land Rover's design. The overall scene suggests a rural or wilderness location, possibly a safari park or nature reserve.

We decided to take a peek at Chillingham castle, but the end of the day was nigh, too late to get a decent look around inside.

Long, high stone wall, possibly part of a castle or other historical structure. The wall is made of reddish-brown stone blocks and shows signs of age and weathering, including moss in places. Set into the wall is a single, wooden door, appearing old and sturdy. The foreground shows a grassy area with scattered fallen leaves, suggesting autumn. The overall impression is one of age, history, and perhaps a sense of seclusion or mystery.
Large, imposing stone castle on an overcast day. The castle is multi-storied with crenellated walls and numerous windows. A dark green vintage-looking vehicle and a horse-drawn cart are parked in the courtyard. A person can be seen walking near the vehicles. The castle is surrounded by a high stone wall and grassy areas. The overall impression is one of history and grandeur.
Close-up view of the muzzle of an old, rusty cannon. The cannon is situated on a grassy lawn in front of a large stone castle or fortress. The background is slightly out of focus, drawing attention to the texture and detail of the cannon's weathered surface. A vehicle is visible in the far background, adding a sense of scale and context.

Yes, despite not being able to see a dentist for years, I've still got most of my teeth, although they ain't that great. I may be disturbed, but I'm certainly no bat shit crazy.

Leonie in a brown knit hat and sunglasses, her mouth wide open in a joyful expression. She is standing next to a weathered stone pillar or post, which appears to be part of a larger stone structure (possibly a wall or fence) visible in the background. The background also shows some trees and what appears to be an old stone castle or fortified building which is partially visible. She is wearing a black top and a silver necklace. There is also a small circular button or badge visible on her sweater. The overall impression is one of a happy, spontaneous moment captured outdoors in a historical setting.
Close-up view of the top of a stone tower, possibly part of a church or castle. Atop the tower is a weather vane shaped like a bat, with gilded detailing and directional markings. A clock face is visible lower down on the tower wall. The overall impression is one of age and historical significance.

Come ride my emotional rollercoaster, it'll tare your soul apart. But you can be horrible; I don't mind, be horrible.

Vintage, dark green van parked on a paved area next to a stone wall. The van is labelled Chillingham Castle in gold lettering and has a bat insignia. The setting appears to be the grounds of a castle, with autumnal foliage and a glimpse of a person in the background. The overall impression is one of age, history, and possibly a connection to a theme of Gothic or mystery, given the castle setting and bat symbol.
Interior courtyard of a stone castle. The courtyard is paved, and there are stone walls, stairs leading to an upper level, and several arched passageways. Two people are visible in the courtyard, and there's some simple outdoor furniture. The overall style is medieval or historic.

It was a long day and we still had to return to Scotland; Charlie was more interested than I was in the replica cannons, a castle maybe a castle, but a home is a home.

23rd

Charlie gave me a lift into Galashiels to attend a two o'clock appointment at Specsavers. I received three tests and another additional test at the cost of £10. The results showed two healthy eyes, however my reading glasses have increase a strength.

Computer screen displaying ophthalmology data. Specifically, it shows a detailed scan of a patient's retina, including color images and various quantitative analyses (thickness maps, normative database comparisons). The software appears to be a specialised ophthalmic imaging analysis program. The screen captures multiple views of the retina— a full-field image and cross-sectional scans — providing comprehensive information for diagnosis and treatment planning, likely related to macular thickness and retinal nerve fibre layer analysis. There is patient information visible, including an ID number and date of birth, suggesting a clinical setting. The overall impression is a technical record of a retinal examination.

they wanted me to pick frames etc today but I told them I'd return, not being able to afford new reading glasses at the moment.

20th

Grass has stopped growing so our sheep will now be supplemented with hay and silage. This is the first bale of many for our lambs at the poly tunnel; they were moved from the paddock yesterday as a oncoming storm unfolded.

Panoramic view of a farm yard on a partly cloudy day. Several barns of varying ages and construction are visible, one of which contains large bales of hay or straw. A grey Land Rover Discovery is parked in the yard, hitched to a small trailer. The overall impression is of a working farm, possibly in the UK judging by the style of the buildings. The ground is damp, suggesting recent rain. The scene is peaceful and functional, lacking any overt drama or emotional expression.

Charlie worked the loader.

Drive down Hawick High Street.

It is always a relief to return to Woodburn Farmhouse; had I not been rehoused in Ancrum this beautiful area would have been a home with Charlie for me.

I can't impress enough the important of people having their own independent blogging platform; social networks have too much control over peoples content.

16th

This afternoon we visited an antiques cafe that Charlie has talked about visiting for the last year. We first visited Galashiels to purchase Charlie a new phone; his old phone is kaput, and he's been struggling with it for months. Galashiels doesn't stress me so much these days, it's taken eighteen months to recover from living in Galashiels for two months.

Scenic autumnal view overlooking a river. Two large trees frame the foreground, partially obscuring the view of a meandering river flowing through a lush valley. The trees in the valley show varying shades of green and yellow, indicative of the fall season. A small cabin is visible on the riverbank in the lower right corner.
Panoramic view of a forest path that forks into two directions. The path is covered in fallen autumn leaves. The surrounding trees are largely deciduous, showing various shades of green and hints of autumnal colours. A low wooden fence lines parts of the path. The overall impression is one of a tranquil, wooded area in autumn.
Dirt path winding through a forest. The trees are mostly deciduous, with leaves in various shades of green, yellow, and brown, suggesting it might be autumn. There's a simple wooden fence or railing on one side of the path, and the ground is covered with fallen leaves.
Pathway winding through a wooded area. The trees along the path are mostly deciduous, with some showing autumnal colours of yellow and orange, while others retain their green leaves. The path is covered in fallen leaves, suggesting it's autumn.
Picturesque autumnal scene. From an elevated vantage point, a river winds its way through a valley, flanked by lush green and yellow-tinged trees displaying the vibrant colours of fall foliage. The viewer's perspective is framed by two large trees in the foreground, their branches partially obscuring the view but adding depth and a sense of peaceful seclusion to the scene.
Cluster of dark-grey mushrooms growing in a patch of grass covered with wet, fallen autumn leaves. The mushrooms are densely packed together, and the leaves are predominantly shades of brown and gold. The overall impression is one of autumnal dampness.

We looked around an antiques warehouse located in an old barn, then purchased cake and coffee from the warehouse cafe. It's strange how many cars pass through Ancrum, this village only has a population of seven hundred, yet an endless stream of traffic passes through everyday.

14th

Planes fly high over Woodburn, heading towards Edinburgh airport.

Large passenger jet aeroplane flying at a high altitude against a clear blue sky. The plane is leaving a distinct contrail, two parallel plumes of condensation, trailing behind it. The overall impression is one of speed, distance, and the vastness of the sky.

I risen early to help Charlie load three tups into the livestock trailer for auction at St Boswell's, the air was bitter cold, frost had settled everywhere.

Four sheep inside a small, enclosed barn or shelter. The structure appears rustic, possibly made of wood, and the floor is covered with hay and a dusting of what looks like snow or powdered substance. The sheep are of varying colours, with some appearing white or light-coloured and one a dark brown. The overall impression is one of a simple, somewhat rural setting providing shelter for the animals.

First of the sheep have entered our poly tunnel, they'll stay here till May 25; picture is my Herdwick sheep, she lambed two lambs last March without intervention.

Front of a dark-coloured Land Rover SUV covered in a layer of frost or ice. The frost is visible on the hood, windshield, and grille. The scene is set at night, under a dark sky. A small object, possibly a key, rests on the hood.

Brrr, this is the first morning after summer, that I've felt the cold; to think just two years ago I was sleeping outside in this weather, for decades!

Many hours throughout the day I felt unwell, and slept till 3pm. After tending to the ewes in the poly tunnel I grouted the front garden pathway.

Garden path made of weathered grey paving stones. A small, rusty shovel and a hand tool rest upon the path. Weeds and moss grow between the stones, and a broken wooden trellis leans against overgrown vegetation.

Later in the afternoon I decided to try out my new tripod, and film an iPhone 14 time lapse of Woodburn Farmhouse from above using the paddock adjacent.

High-angle, long shot of a rural scene. A tripod with a smartphone mounted on top is positioned in the foreground on a grassy hillside. It's pointed towards a white farmhouse and outbuildings nestled in a valley. The background includes rolling green hills, trees, and a hint of late afternoon sun creating lens flare.

How the day eases into the night with a warm comforting glow.