January 2025

29th

This static website I've been developing is now online; I've been non-stop coding HTML for about a week to bring this static website online. My previous ghost powered website has been deleted; nobody was using comments and subscription etc so there was no need for it. To enable interactive feedback I plan to use Flarum, which I'll install on a subdomain soon.

28th

Been called into the doctors surgery to see a nurse this morning; I have high colestrol, about 600, the average is 300. Considering my family history the nurse requested I take Statin medication, but I'd rather altercate my diet and lifestyle first before such a measure is taken; I've got another three months before the next blood test.

Tablet displaying a live video feed from a security camera inside a barn. Several sheep are resting in a pen filled with straw. The timestamp on the screen indicates the recording is from January 28, 2025. The location is identified as Woodburn PT Pen

Late last night Charlie moved a CCTV camera from the Farmhouse to the polytunnel, as we have now begun lambing. Monitoring mother ewes inside the polytunnel (on my iPad) is known to us as lamb TV. We started using IPCAMs to monitor lambing two years ago, this survelience has enabled us to save a in lamb mother ewe that had fallen onto her back.

27th

We started lambing season with tragedy, a mother ewe failed to push out her lamb, that had leaped into this world with only one trotter placed forward. Charlie said the lamb was easy to pull out of the mother ewe, despite her not being able to push her lamb out.

Carcass of a small animal, possibly a lamb or goat, lying on a bed of hay. The scene appears to be outdoors, possibly in a barn or pen, with some debris and electrical wiring visible.

I felt unlucky, but Charlie says this thing happens at the beginning of lambing, another mother ewe has already had a premature birth; I hope things pick up for us as we have barely started lambing. Both of these unfortunate instances were just beyond our control. We played carpet bowls tonight, one of the players walked out after I arrived, he walked out two weeks ago also, after he lost a game to me. Another player got quite angry with his balls, again after loosing a set to me; do men, be it Scottish men, not tolerate losing to women, is this why there is only one other female player at carpet bowls? I'm playing again, but will stop if this situation worsens; perhaps it's tolerating this dystopia's ultimate loser, me Léonie.

24th

Server weather warning red and Charlie has to go into work; wind is howling around Woodburn farmhouse and roaring through Borthwick Valley. Last night, Charlie kept saying that he'd have to take his small chainsaw to work; to remove fallen branches obstructing the path. Despite double glazing, wind has blown chill through the farmhouse, Sheepdog Sam is frightened, but Ewes in lamb don't appear bothered, chewing cud as though nothing is happening, such a British thing to do, carry on as usual in face of imminent disaster.

Desk with a computer, tablet, and keyboard. A mug sits between the computer and the tablet. The computer displays a web page with text and a picture of a steam train in a landscape. The tablet shows a video screen capture. The overall scene suggests a workspace, perhaps for writing or content creation, possibly related to trains or travel based on the computer screen's content.

As for me, I'm seated in front of a Apple IMac desktop 2011 writing this diary; I'm contemplating lighting the fire, Charlie's gone to make morning coffee. I have an iPad to the left of me, I'm watching forensic psychology videos on YouTube; this helps quieten not just Tinnitus but none stop auditory hallucinations, I respond to these always negative messages with a hum of yeh, yeh, yeh, yeh. Auditory hallucinations began over a decade ago when I was terrorised when homeless on the streets of London (2010), at a time when people were saying I thought too much.

Fire burning in a traditional fireplace. The fire is relatively small, with several pieces of wood burning within a metal grate. The fireplace itself appears old, with some visible damage or wear to the surrounding wall. The overall atmosphere is dark and somewhat dimly lit, focusing attention on the flickering flames.

The diary is being coded again from my ghost website; in May 2024 I decided to make my diary interactive, allowing comment and subscription. Nobody utilised this, so I'm returning to code a static website, I am installing a separate flarum forum to allow comments, feedback and discussion.

Dark-coloured pickup truck carrying a large round bale of hay in its bed. The truck is parked on a wet, muddy driveway, with a small wooden structure visible in the lower right corner. A person is seated in the driver's seat of the truck. The background is a grassy hillside. The overall impression is of rural farm work.
Tri-coloured border collie-type dog's head and shoulders peeking out from under a green painted wooden table. The dog appears to be looking directly at the camera with a somewhat apprehensive or curious expression. The setting is a tiled floor, and part of an old wooden chair is visible.
Charlie relaxing on a leather couch with his border collie dog. Charlie is wearing a lime green high-visibility jacket and is holding a mug. The dog is nestled comfortably on his lap. The setting appears to be a living room. The overall feeling is one of quiet companionship and relaxation.

How does the wind break a chimney like this?

Section of a rooftop with three chimneys and a television antenna. The chimneys vary in color and material, with one featuring a modern, metallic, H-shaped addition. The overall setting appears to be somewhat overcast.

Charlie returned from work with a bale of hay, smiling at me whilst he reversed his pickup toward the polytunnel; he told me that the wind had blown the chimmney pot from the roof. About midday I heard the wind slam down onto the Farmhouse, then a thud, so that must have been the chimmney pot. Really must do some cleaning, health permitting.

22nd

A quiet afternoon at Woodburn Farmhouse.

Panoramic view of a rural scene. In the foreground is a grassy hillside, leading to a white farmhouse situated in a farmyard. Various farm implements and structures, including what appears to be a trailer and a large tarp, are visible in the yard. A low stone wall is partially visible in the background, and a misty or foggy landscape extends into the distance under a partly cloudy sky. The overall impression is one of a serene and somewhat isolated farm setting.
Panoramic view of a sheep shelter. A number of sheep are inside the structure, which appears to be a modified trailer or mobile shelter, filled with straw. The shelter is situated on a farm, with a farmhouse and outbuildings visible in the background. The overall impression is of a rural, agricultural setting.

I walked the perimiter of the paddock.

Gently sloping grassy field under a pale sky. Several small, dark mounds of freshly turned earth are scattered across the grass, indicating the presence of burrowing animals, likely moles.
Gently sloping grassy field on a foggy day. Numerous molehills are visible across the field. In the far background, a building is barely visible through the fog. The overall mood is peaceful and somewhat misty.

And noticed we have a problem with STASI moles.

21st

Fasting, having an Endoscopy today, our reason for rushing back to Scotland yesterday. Stomach pains are becoming horrific, other than a being over bloated, the feeling is as if there is something moving about inside my cramped, sore stomach, chewing up my intestines. It's as though life is leaving me, a tiresome pain akin to being systematically punched in the gut.

Close-up endoscopic photograph of the lower oesophagus. The photo shows an area of Barrett's epithelium (a type of abnormal cell growth) and a sliding hiatus hernia (a condition where part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm). The accompanying text provides the location (lower oesophagus), diagnosis (Barrett's epithelium and hiatus hernia), and the length of the hernia (4cm). The image is a medical diagnostic record, not an artistic expression. There is no creative background, emotional expression, or moral to interpret.

I'm so lucky to have Charlie drive me to the hosptial and watch out for me until the sedation wears off. The endscopy tube was much smaller and the sedation eased me into the proceedure fine. Additional to a diagnosis of Barrets Epithelium (Prague COM2) is a Hiatus Hernia sliding length of 4cm. Extracted four specimens biospy, a five week wait for results.

20th

We stayed at the Forest of Arden hotel; room 322 was grubby, peeling wallpaper, broken smart TV (kept rebooting), net curtain cigarette burn, dusty furniture, fusty pillows and dirty shower curtain; this tired "4 Star" hotel is in need of a refit. Charlie wanted to do a hotel review, in view of the room I was fearful to order / eat the hotel food; clientele were strange.

Wide-angle, low-perspective shot of a hotel room at night. The viewer's perspective is from the bed, with their legs visible in the foreground. The room features a television displaying a blue-toned image, a dressing table, and a seating area with a lamp. Clothing is strewn on a chair. The walls are adorned with three framed pictures. The overall mood is one of relaxation and quietude, suggesting Leonie and Charlie are enjoying some downtime in the hotel.

Part of the Forest of Arden golf course used to be farmed by Charlie's father; but, to allow the golf course, his lease was terminated by the Earl of Aylesford. Charlie was eager to revisit his childhood family home (used to function as a hermitage). Departing Coventry, in Leicestershire we visited Mount Saint Bernards abbey via our return journey to bonnie, Scotland.

Historical stone abbey set against a backdrop of a gently rolling, tree-covered landscape under a cloudy sky. The abbey itself is the main focus, showcasing its grey stone architecture, long, rectangular structure, and a prominent square tower. The architectural style suggests a medieval or perhaps early modern period. The roof is dark grey slate, and numerous arched windows are visible along the side of the building. The surrounding landscape is peaceful and relatively muted in colour, with a mix of deciduous trees appearing bare or winter-dormant in the foreground and a more distant, darker line of trees on the horizon. The sky is overcast, providing a soft, diffuse light. The overall mood is one of quiet contemplation and historical weight.
The Cistercians, officially the Order of Cistercians, are a Catholic religious order of monks and nuns that branched off from the Benedictines and follow the Rule of Saint Benedict, as well as the contributions of the highly influential Bernard of Clairvaux (venerated as Saint Bernard, was an abbot, mystic, co-founder of the Knights Templar), known as the Latin Rule.

I visited and dwelled about the countryside of this monastery, far removed from a troubled and turbulent childhood in the then village of Shepshed, I felt safe and at peace here at this monastery; even though I was not raised with religious parents, I had little if any contact with Catholicism other than this monastery that I viewed and still is a place of peace.

Panoramic view of the interior of an abbey. The architecture is Gothic Revival style, characterised by pointed arches, tall columns, and a long nave leading to an altar. Wooden pews are arranged facing the altar. A large wooden crucifix hangs near the ceiling. The overall atmosphere is serene and reverent, typical of a place of worship.
The Cistercian order dates back to the 12th century and the Trappists, in their origins a Cistercian reform, to the mid-17th century. Mount St Bernard is the only abbey belonging to this order in England.

In the monastery shop we were welcomed by a friendly and informative monk named brother Martin, we purchased honey beer and furniture polish. The interior was impressive, that permeating a presence of stillness between exhalling and inhalling, an astectic, between light and darkness, visually contrasting presence of life contained inbetween tall upright walls.

Side view of a large stone abbey. The abbey is built of grey stone, with a tall square tower at one end. The style appears to be Gothic Revival. A smaller, adjacent building is partially visible in the background to the left. There's a simple paved area in front of the abbey, with a couple of benches and some landscaping. The sky is overcast. The overall impression is one of quiet dignity and historical significance.
Interior of an abbeys sanctuary. A statue of the Virgin Mary and Child is prominently displayed on a raised altar at the back. Below the statue, a large arched alcove contains a pair of wooden doors leading to another area within the church presumably a sacristy or chapel. Flanking this alcove are smaller, similarly arched recesses, each containing a wooden door, possibly leading to storage or smaller chapels. The floor is tiled, and wooden chairs are visible in the foreground. The overall architectural style is Gothic Revival, characterised by pointed arches and stained glass windows. The lighting focuses on the central statue, creating a contemplative and solemn atmosphere.
nave of an abbey, looking down its length towards the altar. The architecture is Gothic Revival, featuring high, pointed arches, tall columns, and a large, wooden crucifix hanging from the ceiling. The floor is tiled, and simple wooden benches are placed near the viewer. The overall feeling is one of quiet solemnity and grandeur.
Panoramic view of a calm reservoir. The water is dark brown and relatively still. The lake is bordered by bare, winter trees on both sides, creating a quiet, somewhat desolate atmosphere. A low stone wall, partially covered with dark material, is visible in the foreground, suggesting a dam or embankment. The sky is overcast and grey. The overall impression is one of a peaceful, natural scene in the winter season.
Blackbrook reservoir was constructed in 1796 in order to feed the Charnwood Forest Canal, which has long since vanished. The first dam constructed was an earthworks one, and this failed on 20 February 1799. In eleven minutes the reservoir was empty and as a result local farmland was ruined, sheep were drowned, and much of Shepshed and nearby Loughborough were affected by flood waters. The dam was repaired in 1801, but the canal was no longer commercially viable.

Charlie drove us back to Roberton, via the M1, A1 then A68 turning towards Hawick after Carter Bar; along the way we stopped at Washington Services for a coffee.

18th

We purchased bird food some days ago, but today there was enough light to film them feeding.

Cluster of snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) growing in moss at the base of a rusty, old plow blade. The snowdrops are in various stages of bloom, with some flowers fully open and others still budding. The contrast between the delicate white flowers and the rough texture of the weathered metal creates a compelling visual juxtaposition, suggesting themes of resilience, renewal, and the passage of time. The scene evokes a sense of quiet beauty found in unexpected places, hinting at the persistent beauty of nature even amidst signs of decay and age.

We washed our truck read for our trip to Coventry, inbetween filming the birds I helped Charlie with his sheep; more footage to come.

16th

Drinking Bourbon Whiskey this afternoon, listening to Bluegrass music whilst coding this website. Below is a picture of my desk I use to make this website. I have a Dell Optiplex running Debian Linux, I code with Gnome Builder, edit photographs with Gimp and videos with Piviti. At the farm I use

Wooden desk with a computer setup. On the desk is a Dell computer monitor displaying a sunset landscape with the date December 2024, a keyboard, speakers, a bottle of Western Gold Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a glass of what appears to be whisky or similar beverage, a pair of sunglasses, and a pen. The overall ambience suggests a personal workspace or home office.

We travelled to Lilliesleaf has the Cross Keys pub in Ancrum was shut. The Plough pub in Lilliesleaf was also shut so we travelled six miles to Melrose. Missing last orders at the Kings Arms we found the Ship pub open, Charlie racked pool balls after ordering himself a pint of bitter and me a slice of Guinness. Football displayed on a huge television set annoyed me.

Charlie wearing a burgundy shirt, bending over a pool table. He is holding a pool cue and appears to be about to make a shot. The white cue ball is on the table, near Charlie. The setting appears to be a pub or bar, with a green pool table as the focal point. The background shows some dark wood panelling and geometric wallpaper. A portion of a television screen is visible in the upper right corner.

Drunk and disorderly is a public order offense that occurs when someone is drunk and behaves in a disruptive manner in public.
It's also known as public intoxication .

Google A.I generated description of "Drunk and Disorderly".

The Ship was a last resort, pub reminds me of the Waverly Bar in Hawick; where disturbed and deranged clientele medicate their personality disorders with alcohol; not that I'm deranged, disturbed and without a personality disorder. If clientele have no personality disorder they're at the pub to liquidate the memory of their partners personality disorder.

15th

Sick tup lamb died this evening, and now awaits to be collected by the red and black bull van, driven by the knacker man.

14th

Visited the doctors as I have been suffering from worsening symptoms of Edema, returning to Roberton we witnessed a wonderful sunset whilst travelling over Chapel Hill.

Long, winding road stretching towards a vibrant sunset. The sky is awash in a breathtaking display of pink, orange, and red hues, creating a dramatic contrast against the dark silhouette of rolling hills and a line of trees in the midground. The road appears relatively empty, adding to the sense of tranquillity and vastness. The overall scene evokes a feeling of peace and the beauty of the natural world.

We've had some trouble with head and rear lights on our truck; Charlie moved several lambs out of the polytunnel as the ewes are only two weeks away from lambing.

13th

Rained all day, no birds came, however I won carpet bowls with one set of nine games, final score 10-4.

12th

Charlie fired the tractor and moved the topper to free up space to allow us to build a lambing enclosure; our lambs are due within the next three weeks.

Charlie in a blue work jacket and a light brown hat driving a vintage, rusty red tractor on a snowy, rural landscape. A small dark-coloured dog runs near the tractor in the foreground. The background features a stone wall and a line of evergreen trees. The overall scene evokes a feeling of rural life and work in winter.

I set up my iPhone upon a tripod and captured the photograph below, this was triggered by my apple watch.

European robin perched on a weathered wooden fence, pecking at scattered crumbs of bread. The bird is in sharp focus against a softly blurred background of a snowy, wintry garden scene. The overall mood is peaceful and subtly evokes a sense of the quiet beauty of nature in winter.

And a video clip.

Early afternoon we walked through the Craik forest.

Panoramic view of a small waterfall partially frozen over in a winter landscape. The scene is dominated by rocks, moss, and patches of snow, with a few deciduous trees and a single conifer visible. A small stream leads to the waterfall. The overall impression is one of a serene, cold, and slightly rugged natural setting.
Snow-covered landscape viewed from a hilltop. In the foreground is a gently sloping hillside with patches of snow and brown, withered vegetation. The mid-ground reveals a flat valley with a dark evergreen forest and some open, snow-covered fields. Rolling hills covered in snow and sparsely treed extend into the background under a grey, overcast sky.
Partially frozen stream or small body of water in a wooded area. The water is covered with a thin layer of ice that has formed intricate patterns. The surrounding area is covered in patches of snow, and the banks are lined with tall grasses and shrubs. The scene is wintry and quiet.
Close-up of a branch laden with bright red berries, possibly rowan berries, hanging against a softly blurred background of a snowy winter landscape. The focus is sharply on the berries, while the background features muted tones of grey, brown, and white, indicating a cold, possibly overcast day. The overall impression is one of serene winter beauty.
Border Collie running through snow. The dog is predominantly black and white with some tan/brown highlights, its tongue is slightly out, suggesting exertion or playfulness. The background is blurry but shows a snowy landscape with some dried vegetation. The overall impression is one of joyful movement in a wintry setting.

We drove into Hawick, Charlie shopped, purchased bird food in B&M bargins, hopefully I'll get some interesting pictures tomorrow.

11th

In the morning Charlie unloaded a bale of hay of the sheep.

During the afternoon we fetched logs for our fire, chaff for our sheep and grit for our driveway.

Charlie in overalls lifting a large, thick slice of tree trunk from a pile of wood logs. The setting appears to be a rural area with a snowy field visible in the background. He appears to be working, possibly splitting wood or preparing it for firewood. The scene is wintry and suggests manual labor.

I worry for Charlie, he has reduced capacity of judgement when it comes to lifting those heavy things; I help him wherever I am abled, however I'm holding the camera so rarely appear in these photographs. I used still images and short clips as I want to limit interference making this diary may have upon our day.

Back of a dark-coloured pickup truck, labelled Warrior, filled with a large quantity of logs and wood chunks. The wood appears to be rough-hewn and possibly freshly cut, with visible bark and some moss. The truck is parked in a rural setting near a barn and piles of other wood, suggesting a logging or firewood operation. There is a light dusting of snow on the ground.
Dark-blue pickup truck, labelled Warrior, parked next to a blue Ford tractor in front of a stone barn. Both vehicles are muddy, suggesting recent agricultural activity. Hay bales are visible inside the barn. The overall scene depicts a rural, working farm setting.

Journey returning to Roberton sure is pretty during the winter months.

Snow-covered landscape. In the foreground, there is a field of brown grass lightly covered in snow. A wire fence with wooden posts runs across the foreground. In the mid-ground and background, gently rolling hills are visible, also covered in snow. The sky is overcast, a pale grey with some lighter areas suggesting a break in the clouds.

Everyday is busy, even on days of rest were busy with domestic jobs.

10th

Recieved a visit from the vet, poor wee tup lamb has a problem with his immunity.

Panoramic view of a snow-covered landscape, centered around a small, white cottage with dark green window frames. The cottage appears quaint and possibly old, nestled amongst a sparsely populated, snow-covered yard. A wooden fence is visible in the foreground, leading toward the cottage. Beyond the cottage, a road curves through a snow-dusted landscape of trees and hills, which seem to be sparsely populated. The sky is a mixture of blue and cloudy, suggesting a cold, winter day. The overall mood is serene and peaceful, evoking a sense of quiet solitude in a rural setting.

She injected him twice and recomended us to keep giving him glucose and vitamins.

Hope he lives.

9th

Today I took a picture along Ale Water with my Panasonic DC-FZ82 bridge camera.

Partially visible moon in the upper right quadrant of a clear blue sky. A small airplane is visible in the lower left quadrant, flying horizontally. The vastness of the sky and the relative sizes of the moon and aeroplane create a sense of scale and distance.

Tonight I've returned to Woodburn as we have a sick tup lamb needing attention.

6th

Apple Watch green ring was requesting to be closed so I took exercise on the Farmhouse Paddock.

Snow-dusted landscape at sunset. In the foreground, a gently sloping hill covered in a thin layer of snow leads to two houses. The closest house is a white two-story building, while a larger, lower building is slightly further away. Behind the houses, a line of dark evergreen trees stretches across the middle ground. The background reveals rolling hills under a dramatic sunset sky, with warm orange and pink hues blending into cooler blues and grays. The overall mood is serene and peaceful, capturing the beauty of a rural winter sunset.

I attempted a time lapse video clip but the blustry wind knocked over the tripod, the dusk sky was stagnant anyhow.

At carpet bowls I won the first game but lost the set; one bowler described me as wreckless for repeatedly stepping on door latch.