June 2025

2nd

Today I dug out the last Lilly bed beside my house wall; so many white bulbs to remove before I filled the emptied space with a bag of compost and a Delphinium plant.

Black bucket with a small trowel inside, sitting on a concrete surface next to a narrow strip of earth bordering a grey brick wall. The earth contains small stones and debris. The scene suggests some form of minor gardening or landscaping work in progress.
Narrow strip of garden soil between a concrete walkway and the foundation of a house. Newly planted greenery — a larger plant with broad, light green leaves and a smaller plant with reddish-orange foliage — are visible in the soil. The soil appears recently added. The overall impression is of landscaping in progress or recently completed.

Late afternoon, Charlie returned from work; had a coffee before we travelled to Selkirk to shear some ewe lambs.

Charlie in a high-visibility vest tending to a flock of sheep. The sheep are contained within a wooden enclosure, likely for sorting or other husbandry tasks. The setting is a rural pasture with a wooden fence and lush green grass, under a partly cloudy sky.

First sheared was one of my ewe lambs; she was very jumpy before we have chosen her for shearing.

Charlie shearing a sheep. The sheep is lying on a tarp on the ground, and the person is using electric shears to remove its wool. The setting appears to be a rural pasture with a wooden fence in the background.
Panoramic view of a sheep shearing in progress. A person in a bright green vest is shearing a sheep lying on a white sheet in a grassy field. Several other sheep are visible behind a wooden fence in a pen. The background includes lush green fields, trees and a building in the distance under a mostly sunny, blue sky.
Charlie shearing a sheep using an electric clipper. The sheep is lying on a tarp, and Charlie is using both hands to operate the clipper. The setting appears to be a farm or pasture. The image focuses on the act of shearing, highlighting the tools and process involved in the care of sheep.
Charlie shearing a sheep using an electric shearing tool. The sheep is lying on a tarp on the ground, and Charlie, as the shearer is kneeling beside it. The setting appears to be a rural farm or pasture. Wool is visible on the ground surrounding the sheep.

It's really important to keep them calm to avoid them getting snagged with the shears. Sheep that are sheared first usually have the worst dags.

Two-headed sheep standing in a lush green field. The field is bordered by a hedgerow and trees under a partly cloudy blue sky. Power lines are visible in the background. The overall scene is peaceful and pastoral.

Charlie sheared two ewe lambs before his only battery began to run out of power.

Section of frayed rope hanging down against a background of short, green grass. The rope is predominantly grey/blue with some white fraying visible, particularly at the ends. The rope appears knotted and tangled in places.

Why people throw old rope into our field other than to entangle the legs of our sheep, we do not know; this happens often considering the remoteness of our grass keep. Rope we find is much to thick and long to be picked up and misplaced by the wind.

Leonie holding a yellow plastic bag filled with a large quantity of un-spun, light brown sheep's wool. The bag is slightly torn. The setting appears to be outdoors on gravel. Leonie's foot, wearing a sandal, is visible in the bottom of the image.

Two bagged fleeces, not in the best shape, but we'll find use for them anyhow.

Close-up of a dirty, rusty, and worn-out shearing blade held in a Charlie's hand. The blade is encased in a clear plastic protective casing which is also dirty. The background is blurred, showing part of a vehicle and the person's hand holding what seems to be another tool.
Close-up view of the cutting head of a shearing clipper. The cutting blades are coated in a thick layer of fleece and faecal matter, giving the tool a dirty and well-used appearance. The focus is sharp on the cutting head, while the background shows Charlie holding the tool is blurred.

Charlie showed me the difference between his two shearing blades, one wider than the other.

Cose-up view of the cutting head of an electric hedge trimmer. The cutting blades are heavily coated with shearing debris, giving it a dirty and worn appearance. The overall impression is one of a tool that has seen significant use.

Scent is such a wonderful experience when your traumatised numb, I foccused on scent in my garden to help me heal latent trauma.

1st

Charlie fired up his sixty-one-year-old tractor; towed a severely broken pickup from Woodburn Farmhouse driveway.

Dark-blue Mitsubishi L200 pickup truck parked on a grassy hillside next to a tractor being operated by a person. The truck is partially obstructing the view of the tractor, suggesting a working environment, possibly on a farm. The background includes a stone wall and lush green pasture under a partly cloudy sky.

We had many dock leaves around the farmhouse, less on the paddock this year; but we have powerful herbicide for them.

Storefront called First Bite, located next to a business called Beatties Bakes. The view is from inside a car, looking out at the bakery. The windows reflect the street and buildings opposite, and there are people visible inside First Bite. A yellow car is partially visible parked near the storefront. The overall impression is of a quaint, possibly British, bakery storefront.

Along our drive to Silloth, we took a pit stop at First Bite, Langholm, coffee and cake at this cafe is delicious; Sticks and Stuff is also worth a visit.

Informational sign detailing the history of Gilnockie/Hollows Tower. The sign includes a description of the tower's architecture, a brief history of its construction and destruction (and subsequent restoration), and its association with the infamous Johnnie Armstrong. Several photographs are included, showing the tower before and after renovation, as well as a depiction of Johnnie Armstrong and a map of the surrounding area. The text highlights the tower's significance within the Canonbie Heritage Trail and encourages a small puzzle, requiring visitors to find hidden letters across multiple boards.

And found local legend of Jonnie Armstrong; we've not visited the Tower, yet.

Moss-covered stone carving of a face, partially embedded in the ground amidst fallen leaves in a wooded area. The carving features a headband with an inscription and a symbol, possibly pentagram, and appears weathered and aged. The overall effect is one of ancient mystery and integration with nature.
Weathered stone statue, reminiscent of a Moai statue from Easter Island, nestled amongst lush green moss and fallen brown leaves. The statue's face is carved with simple features, and its body is largely smooth. The overall impression is one of age, tranquility, and a connection to nature.
Moss-covered stone carving of a face. The face is somewhat weathered and appears serene, with simple features. The moss adds a natural, almost mystical quality to the sculpture. It's nestled within a bed of lush green foliage.
Moss-covered stone carving of a face. The carving is weathered and appears old, possibly situated outdoors in a garden setting. The face is somewhat stoic or melancholic in expression, with deep-set eyes. The stone itself is rough-textured, and the moss adds to the overall sense of age and integration with nature. A dried leaf rests on the top of the stone.
Weathered stone pillar with a metal plaque affixed to it. The plaque is an informational marker detailing the history of Gilnockie Castle. It states that the castle was built by Johnie Armstrong between 1525 and 1529, and that he was later hanged at Teviothead by James V of Scotland. The plaque further notes that the castle's stones were used to build the nearby Hollows Bridge in 1796, and that the pillar itself was erected by John Alan Armstrong to mark the historic site. The plaque also credits the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry for providing the stone for the pillar. A small depiction of the castle from an 18th-century map is included at the bottom.
Weathered stone carving of a human face, partially obscured by moss and nestled amongst lush green vegetation. The carving is deeply embedded in the stone, giving the face a somewhat solemn and ancient appearance. The overall scene evokes a sense of age, quietude, and perhaps even a touch of mystery.
View of a river flowing through a lush green forest. The river is visible through a dense canopy of trees, with the water appearing somewhat turbulent.

We drove into this place after finding a riverside stop to enjoy our take away from First Bite.

View of a river, possibly the River Esk, from a bridge. A weathered street sign reading RIVERESK is prominent in the foreground. Lush green vegetation lines both banks of the river, which flows from the background towards the viewer. The sky is overcast, with a mix of grey and some blue showing through.
High-angle view of a river flowing through a lush green landscape under a cloudy sky. The river is dark and calm, and its banks are lined with dense vegetation. The trees are full and green, suggesting it might be summertime.

Leaving we drove straight to Silloth, and parked facing Silloth sea front behind an icecream van.

Coastal scene on a partly cloudy day. A curved concrete seawall runs along the left side of the frame, with the sea stretching to the horizon. Small waves are lapping against the wall. In the distance, a faint landmass or low-lying hills are visible against the sky. The sky is a mix of dark, heavy clouds and patches of clear blue. The overall mood is somewhat sombre yet peaceful.

The tide was in, cold wind hurt my teeth whilst choppy waves rocked themselves upon Silloths long sea wall.

Dramatic coastal scene under a partly cloudy sky. The foreground features a partially submerged wooden ramp leading into a choppy sea. Beyond the ramp, a stone seawall extends to the right, leading toward a line of trees on a distant shore. The sky is a mix of bright blue and dark, brooding clouds, creating a strong contrast. The overall feeling is one of wild, dynamic nature, with the turbulent water emphasising the power of the sea.

Anglers were fishing with some patience, but had not caught much of a fish supper.

Person standing on a seawall, seemingly discarding something into the water. The individual is dressed in dark, waterproof clothing, suggesting inclement weather. Multiple fishing rods are visible along the wall, indicating a fishing location. The sea is choppy, and a cloudy sky dominates the background, reinforcing the impression of a somewhat stormy day. The overall scene feels somewhat bleak or solitary.
Person fishing from a seawall on a partly cloudy day. The person is seated, facing away from the camera, with their fishing rod extending out over the water. The seawall runs along a paved path that leads towards a line of trees and buildings in the distance. The sky is a mix of blue and grey clouds, suggesting a potentially changeable weather pattern.

I attempted to get a panoramic picture close to the sea, but waves popped water through gaps in a concrete launch ramp.

Panoramic view of a wooden pier extending into a choppy sea. Waves are breaking against the pier's edge near a seawall. In the distance, a small building is visible, situated amongst some trees. The sky is partly cloudy, with patches of blue. The overall impression is of a somewhat stormy but beautiful coastal scene.

Turbulent and choppy waves.

Seascape under a dramatic, cloudy sky. Dark, churning waves crash against a man-made, stepped coastal structure that runs along the shoreline, beneath a line of dark trees. The overall mood is somewhat moody and powerful, emphasising the force of the ocean against the constructed barrier.

To see beyond outer darkness; from inner light. Charlie is raring to play Silloths amusements.

Blue coin-operated viewfinder overlooking a body of water and a distant shoreline under a cloudy sky. The viewfinder is prominently featured in the foreground, with instructions visible on its face. The background is blurred, showing the expanse of water and a hazy landscape beyond. The overall mood is somewhat subdued due to the grey sky, but the scene is peaceful.

We also played table hockey, Charlie won, six games to four.

Charlie in a brown jacket playing a Hercules-branded arcade strength-testing game. The game involves hitting a target with a mallet to score points, as indicated by the illuminated scoreboard. He is in mid-swing, concentrating on the game. The setting appears to be an arcade, with various other game machines visible in the background. The overall mood is lighthearted and playful, characteristic of a recreational arcade environment

View of the moody sky in front of a locked pagoda was quite something.

Dramatic coastal scene under a brooding, dark sky. Heavy, grey clouds dominate the upper two-thirds of the frame, with a small break revealing a sliver of brighter sky and sunlight. The lower third shows a relatively calm, dark-grey sea lapping a paved shoreline backed by a grassy area with a few park benches. A distant landmass is visible on the horizon. The overall mood is somewhat ominous and atmospheric, suggesting an impending storm or a period of intense weather.

Whilst Charlie waited to collect or fish and chips I wondered around Silloth. This shop is so weird, selling locks of peoples hair and breast milk; inclusion jewellery?

Street-level view of a storefront for Cumbria Life Casting, a business that appears to specialise in life casting. The building is a light-colored, two-story structure with large windows. A red wheelie bin sits on the sidewalk in front of the shop. In the background, a smaller, brick building is partially visible. The overall setting suggests a residential or commercial area in a town or city. The sky is cloudy.

I am at odds with having my photographs automatically uploaded to Icloud, my friend repeating "immittation is the senerist form of flattery" still spooks me somewhat. I need to back up and download then cancel my Apple subscription. We enjoyed our fish and chips, then drove south along the coastline.

Panoramic view of a beach scene on a sunny day. The beach is composed of sand and small pebbles. The sea is relatively calm with gentle waves lapping the shore. A single, small, light-colored house is visible in the distance on the left, situated on higher ground beyond the beach. The sky is mostly clear, with some fluffy white clouds. The overall impression is one of serenity and peaceful solitude.

We wound down our car roof, the breeze was whisp fresh as the sunlight radiated down upon us.

Path through beach grass leading to a wide, sandy beach and a calm sea under a partly cloudy sky. A single, distant figure is visible on the beach. Yellow wildflowers are in the foreground on the left, and pink flowers are on the right.

Briefly stopped at a car park at Beckfoot, then enjoyed ice cream at Twentymans ice-cream Parlour in Allonby. Returning to Woodburn we were both tired; after a long day out.