March 2025

4th

This morning we talked about grass keep and sheep sales over coffee

Rustic wooden table cluttered with various items. A mug of tea sits prominently near the centre. To its left is a document titled Scottish Sheep and Goats Movement Document, suggesting a rural or agricultural context. Near the top right, a plastic bag holds a pair of pliers or similar tool, alongside a colorful, numbered, possibly identification, strip. Other miscellaneous items include a box of keys, what appears to be candy or sweets in a container, and scraps of paper. The overall impression is one of a casual, possibly working, environment with a blend of everyday items and potentially work-related documents. The scene conveys a sense of everyday life in a rural setting.
Dark-coloured pickup truck parked beside a rustic, blue, wooden-sided trailer. The trailer appears old and weathered, showing signs of age and use. The setting seems rural, with bare trees and a dirt track visible. The overall impression is one of a working farm or countryside scene.

Today we took three ewes and one wether to Longtown.

Panoramic view of a rural farmstead. The foreground features a section of a whitewashed stone building with a green door, and various farm implements and storage units. The mid-ground shows a muddy farmyard with a horse trailer, livestock shelters, and stacks of hay. In the background, a sloping grassy hill rises gently. The overall impression is one of a working farm, possibly in a remote location. The sky is overcast and slightly grey.

We have run out of hurdles, so there is no race to help us.

Charlie in a high-visibility vest unloading something from a small livestock trailer attached to a pickup truck parked next to a whitewashed building. The trailer's ramp is down, and Charlie appears to be carefully handling the contents.

Our trailer is in need of renovation, a lick of paint and new wood, we use this trailer because it is multipurpose, we can carry two hay bales now we have an affordable pickup. It's not always about having the newest, but the most purposeful thing, and with this strong trailer we have it, doesn't a bad workman blame his tools? We like antiques also, and with that enjoy a feel of historical presence with the things we use. Where in a useful and worthy world would we be without valueing not only resources to hand, but also grasping longevity.

A piece of white paper with the numbers 22064 and 22065 written on it. A pen with the logo of C&D Auction Marts Ltd is resting on the paper, and a pair of yellow wire cutters is lying on a dark-coloured surface nearby. The paper appears to have been torn. The overall context suggests some kind of field work or inventory taking, possibly related to the auction house.

To those who rave on about keeping up appearances, stop being so self absorbed and shallow, take a deeper look at historical farms owned by multigenerational farmers across this country. I rather be with real people, wouldn't you? Anyhow enough ranting, it's ear tagging time!

Close-up view of Charlie's hands using pliers to tag an sheep's ear. One hand holds a specialised clamp-like tool around the ear, while the other hand holds a marker pen, presumably to apply an identification tag or number. The sheep's fleece is partially visible.

The ear tags we purchased are not essembled properly from the manufacturer, as they bend whilst trying to put them into the ewes ears; however after a couple of failed attempts we corrected this.

This wether looks so worried; being young he'll probably go as a store lamb rather than cast; meaning he'll receive his last supper (fattened up) for a while.

Close-up view of Charlie's legs and lower torso, clad in dark blue work pants and a dark jacket with a reflective band, partially obscuring a young sheep. The sheep, light gray with dark brown accents on its face, has long, unkempt wool and appears to be standing in a pen filled with straw. The sheep's gaze is directed toward the viewer, its expression seemingly curious or slightly apprehensive. The background consists of wooden fencing and more straw.
Close-up view of Charlie's hands using a small pair of pliers to tag the ear of a sheep. Charlie is wearing work overalls and the sheep's fleece is light grey and quite thick.

It's much easier building a race, buy some hurdles Charlie! One.

Two.

Two sheep inside a rustic, old, wooden trailer. The trailer is partially open, revealing the sheep standing on straw. One sheep is prominently featured in the foreground, and a second is partially visible behind it. The overall impression is one of livestock transportation or relocation on a farm.

Three.

Charlie wearing a lime green high-visibility jacket, bending down to tend to a sheep in a makeshift pen. The pen is constructed of wooden pallets and is within a larger trailer containing other sheep (visible in the background). The farmer appears to be carefully handling the sheep, possibly examining or assisting it. A pair of glasses lies on the wooden pen. The overall atmosphere is one of rural work.

I handled the forth sheep into the trailer; hence no film or pictures.

Three sheep huddled together inside a dark, wooden enclosure. The sheep appear to be of a similar breed, with thick, grey-brown fleece. The enclosure looks rustic and possibly temporary, suggesting a transportation or temporary holding area for the animals. The overall impression is one of quiet, contained confinement.

Let's go!

The hillside views travelling South along the A7 from Hawick to Langholm are pretty; over the last two years I've done this journey many times, yet still appreciate the countryside here.

A pastoral landscape under a cloudy sky. Leonie is taking a selfie in a car's side mirror, with the rolling hills and a fence in the background. The scene is peaceful and somewhat muted in color due to the overcast weather. The overall impression is one of tranquil countryside.

Arrived at Longtown.

I was told off for leaving my door open whilst parked in the loading bay.

I enjoy a breakfast a Longtown auctions, at the cafe a friendly farmer seated himself at our table; we both enjoyed his conversation.

Room with several tables and chairs, where a group of people are seated, seemingly engaged in conversation. The room appears to be a cafeteria with simple light wood furniture. A large window looks out onto an area.

Civility costs nothing, those who cannot afford civility are some of the cheapest people in the world.

Sheep auction or livestock market. A number of sheep are penned inside red metal cages. A sign on one of the pens indicates the flock's identification (Wood Burn, 4). The overall setting appears to be a large indoor agricultural building.

Returning to Roberton we saw the knacker mans lorry.

Red DAF livestock truck parked on a country road. The truck is facing the viewer and is parked beside a low stone wall. Beyond the wall is open pastureland, and a line of trees in the distance. The sky is overcast.

We made just over £300 on the sheep at Longtown auction; my Herdwick made just £30, she is a very old ewe though last year, gave us two lovely lambs.

3rd

Recieved flowers at lunch time; placed them in a lemonade jar.

Bouquet of flowers in a blue vase. The bouquet is composed of various flowers including vibrant pink chrysanthemums, smaller purple statice, and white gypsophila. The bouquet sits on a table in front of a dark wood cabinet and a fireplace mantel, with various decorative items visible on the mantel and in the background. The overall setting appears to be in a home, perhaps a living room, with a slightly vintage or antique aesthetic.

Finding rest I settled my anxieties, path to wellbeing has been long; thanks to everyone that have helped me heal, and tollerated me being unwell.

2nd

Charlie filled the pickup tank with diesel, we drove to Berwick-upon-Tweed, and briefly visited Go Outdoors (I need a new pair of boots), until the sales assistant was rude to me. Leaving the store I told him I were going to report him to management, he replied "what for, I didn't do, nothing"; that's right he completely ignored me twice, responded to Charlie on his first attempt, I didn't do, nothing isn't an honest answer and won't suffice; how can you not do, nothing?

Dark grey wall with five recessed panels, each containing a bas-relief sculpted head. The heads appear to represent historical figures, possibly royalty or important people from a particular era or location, given the variety of headdresses and clothing styles. The style of the sculptures suggests a classical or historical representation. The overall effect is one of commemoration or homage.

I haven't reported him, even though I am sick through the nose with this abuse (if you know me you'll not what I am reffering to), but I was interested in these wood carvings (pictured above) displayed on the side of the building, perhaps, this building used to function as a museum? of a visitors centre, before Go Outdoors retailed at this location. It's a busy road, the A1 isn't far away and the store was neighboured by a busy cafe packed with clientelle. After eating a light lunch on a retail park (Charlie is so romantic!) we arrived at Spital beach.

The interior of a car parked near a seaside. The car's wind-shield provides a view of a calm ocean under a mostly sunny sky with some clouds. Blue bollards are visible along the seawall. The photo appears to be taken on a bright, clear day. The focus is on the view outside the car, with the interior dashboard slightly out of focus.

Many visits I've wanted to get a closer picture of this lighthouse.

Solitary lighthouse, painted white with a red base, standing on a stone breakwater that extends into a calm sea under a clear blue sky. The scene is peaceful and evokes a sense of isolation and maritime functionality.

Wake me up inside.

Call my name and save me from the dark.

Panoramic view of a sandy beach on a sunny day. The beach stretches from the foreground to the calm sea in the distance. Charlie stands near the right side of the image, appearing to be holding a camera stand. Buildings and a seawall are visible in the background along the left and right sides of the beach. The sky is mostly clear with scattered, fluffy white clouds beneath a bright blue expanse. The overall impression is one of serenity and calm.

We then returned to Scotland via the A1, travelling to Eyemouth.

Panoramic image portrays a picturesque coastal scene, a Scottish Borders town, dominated by a dramatic sky filled with fluffy white and grey clouds scattered across a brilliant blue expanse. In the foreground, a grassy hill slopes gently down to a small harbour or inlet. Two structures stand out: a sturdy, aged stone tower on the left, suggestive of a historical landmark or watchtower, and a smaller, light-coloured building on the right, appearing more modern and potentially residential or a small business. In the middle ground, the harbour stretches out, filled with boats of various sizes, while further in the distance, buildings typical of a coastal town are visible. The overall impression is one of serene coastal charm, mixing old and new architecture under a dynamic sky. Two parked cars can be seen on a road toward the right edge of the image, adding a touch of modern life to the otherwise historic setting.

We walked the harbour before returning to our truck.

Panoramic image showcases a picturesque harbour scene on a partly sunny day. The foreground features a roadway bordering the harbour, with a small blue fishing boat prominently displayed. In the background, numerous other boats, both sailboats and motorboats, are docked, and buildings characteristic of a seaside town line the harbour. The sky is a blend of blue and fluffy white clouds, adding to the overall peaceful and scenic atmosphere. A blue minivan is parked near the harbour's edge on the right side of the image.
Tranquil harbour scene under a partly cloudy sky. A fishing trawler is prominently featured, docked near a multi-story building that appears to be part of the harbour infrastructure. Smaller boats and structures are visible in the background, along with a hillside featuring buildings and some vegetation. The overall mood is peaceful and evocative of coastal life. The water is relatively calm, reflecting the sky and buildings. Birds are visible in the sky, adding to the natural feel of the scene.
Close-up view of an old, rusty, and weathered lock mechanism situated beside a calm body of water. The mechanism is prominently featured in the foreground, with a brown industrial building labelled Eyemouth Marine visible in the background. Several boats are docked along the waterfront to the right, and a partially visible church spire can be seen further in the distance. The overall mood is one of quiet industrial history, with the aged lock mechanism suggesting a slower pace of life and a contrast to the more modern building. The sky is partly cloudy, adding to the atmospheric feel.
Film crew filming a woman on a seawall. There are three camera operators and a person holding a reflector for the woman. The scene is outdoors, on a somewhat overcast day. The overall impression is of a professional film shoot in a coastal location.
Weathered, blue and white fishing trawler, partially named GIEN, docked in a harbour. A seagull perches atop the ship's mast. The vessel shows signs of age and wear, with peeling paint and rust visible. Other smaller boats are in the background, and a van is visible on the opposite bank. The setting appears to be a calm, somewhat overcast day.

We drove further north along the A1.

Charlie wearing glasses, smiling slightly, leaning against the back of a dark-coloured pickup truck. He's wearing a brown jacket and a dark-coloured turtle-neck sweater. The background features a rural landscape with a stone wall, a fence, and a grassy field under a cloudy sky. The overall impression is one of peaceful contemplation in a rural setting.

Arriving at Torness Nuclear Power Station.

A large industrial facility, possibly a Nuclear power plant, situated in a relatively flat landscape. The facility is primarily white or light-coloured, with several buildings of varying heights. In the foreground, there's a brown, grassy field with a small bush, and what appears to be a large, empty parking lot or storage area in front of the facility. The sky is overcast and gray. The overall impression is one of industrial scale and a somewhat bleak, though not necessarily unpleasant, atmosphere.

Walking to the power station I was concerned about radioactive particles on the beach.

Wide shot of a beach on a cloudy day. The sand is light brown, and seaweed is scattered across it. Gentle waves are lapping the shore. In the distance, a dark, hilly coastline is visible under a grey sky. The overall mood is calm and somewhat melancholic due to the overcast sky and muted colours.
Beach scene under a cloudy sky. The sand is light brown, and waves are gently lapping the shore. A lone figure is visible walking along the beach in the distance. The overall mood is calm and somewhat melancholic.

In the distance you can see a concrete structure, they've called this a viewing platform, but this is a wave break, to protect the power station from the sea.

Later in the evening, at around eight oclock a ewe lambed triplets without intervention.