October 2024

12th

Due to wild life concerns I've forbidden Charlie to use poison to kill the autumnal mouse infestation; so instead were using traps, baited with peanut butter and mature cheese.

This morning I've returned to Woodburn Farmhouse, have plans to finish off decorating the spinning room and alas begin carding last years fleeces. Today is supposed to be Charlie's day off work, but we've been to Hawick three times for shopping, type one stone, and fuel and sheep supplies. There are so many jobs to be done at the farmhouse, that we don't get days off. and when we do we explore (coddiwomple).

Alas our poly tunnel is mucked out, next hydrated lime (an ancient disinfectant to prevent wet mouth), a bale of straw (disinfectant) and returned sheep. Next month I'm rewiring the CCTV system, for lambing, and optimising surveillance of the farmhouse.

We would usually get building supplies at Doves, but Charlie was overcharged, so we shop for type one stone at Jewson instead.

I love living in Scotland, and enjoy the company of Scottish people; tradition is important and its enamouring to see Scottish people celebrate their culture and customs, as historically daunting as they may sometimes be for an English man to witness. I do miss England sometimes, in ways, as English identity is not forged on anti-Scottish sentiment.

Endeared to see Charlie helping the workman with his forklift whilst tolerating a heavy downpour of rain; beyond professionalism it's important to be supportive of each other.

I am dismayed to witness using a bottle jack for uncoupling; but the trailer is very heavy. The rear door on our Freelander is completely broken; held together with baleing twine.

After uncoupling the trailer we returned to Hawick, stopping at Harbo to pick up lick buckets, ewe pellets, coal and peat.

The ewes grazing at grass keep are running out of grass; soon they will return to Woodburn; they occupy grass keep between the months of May and November.

6th

I have never been to the races before, anywhere; so this event was both a discovery and an adventure for me. We arrived just after midday, and purchased tickets at the gate; Charlie told me the Kelso races were special, and I learned through this observant day I share with you.

Felt concern for the jockeys that fell from their horses, with no knowledge broadcast of them being remotely OK.

The horse and jockeys are very photogenic; today I was using my Panasonic DC-FZ82. If you want to take 1200mm zoom pictures I recommend this as a budget camera; the only issues I have other than low pixels is the operational settings seem a bit confusing.

Every bet lost but one, the weather held as I moved unmoved between the busy day. We enjoyed this day, but marked it as a special day, until next year, Kelso races.

4th

Yesterday, returning to Roberton from Gretna Green I noticed a church, tower and stately home from the A7, about one mile North of Longtown. Initially we thought this church locked, but I was sure the church door was open.

Awesome Charlie.

Read this prayer cushion.

I always take off my hat inside churches.

The suspension bridge reminded me of Monteviot, only that bridge is wooden. Michael Ancram passed away only a few days ago; I heard from a complication during an operation. Charlie purchased me a tea towel from the church.