Léonie Cooper

Wee Paddock, Selkirk 10th May 2025

May 2025

10th

Took a trip to Selkirk to shear some sheep.

In general, the sheep were calm, or at least as calm as sheep can be.

Charlie shearing a sheep using an electric shearing tool. The sheep is lying on a tarpaulin on the ground, and Charlie is kneeling beside it. The setting appears to be a farm or pasture, with a wooden fence and other sheep visible in the background. The scene depicts a common agricultural practice.

Charlie shearing a sheep in a grassy field. The shearer is using an electric shearing tool, and the sheep is lying on a tarpaulin. Wool is scattered on the tarp and the grass around it. Another sheep is visible in the background. The setting appears to be a rural, pastoral scene on a sunny day.

Charlie shearing a sheep outdoors on a sunny day. The shearer is bent over the sheep, which lies on a grey tarpaulin on the grass. Shearing debris is scattered on the tarpaulin and the surrounding grass. In the background, there's a wooden fence enclosing a flock of sheep, a farmhouse, and a verdant landscape under a clear blue sky. The overall scene suggests a rural setting, possibly a farm, showcasing a traditional sheep shearing practice.

Charlie kneeling on a tarpaulin in a grassy field, shearing a sheep. A recently shown fleece lies beside him, and bags of wool are nearby. Other sheep are visible in the background within a fenced enclosure. The setting appears to be a farm or rural area on a sunny day.

Fleece is exceptionally sheared!

Charlie standing proudly next to a freshly shorn sheep fleece spread out on a tarpaulin in a grassy field. He appears pleased with his work, suggesting a scene of rural life, possibly sheep farming or shearing. The electric clippers lie nearby, and some stray wool is scattered on the grass. The overall mood is one of accomplishment and contentment in a natural setting.

Not sheared and sheared.

Two sheep standing in a lush green field on a sunny day. The sheep are light-coloured, and the background includes trees and a hedge, suggesting a rural or pastoral setting. The overall mood is peaceful and idyllic.

Panoramic image depicts a sunny day on a rural farm. Charlie is shearing a sheep in a grassy field, while other sheep are visible in a nearby pen. The scene is peaceful and idyllic, showcasing the agricultural aspect of the location. The background shows a wide, open field, hinting at a larger farm or countryside setting. The overall impression is one of calm rural activity under a bright sky.

This was Charlie's first shear of this year, and the first time he used his electric battery-powered sheers.

9th

Our pickup truck blowing up on the A1 has affected Charlie, he was lost for thought after pulling into the hard shoulder. I had to find the number and ring the RAC twice, then attempt rescue via an online form, before being given a working number. But our resolve is unshakeable, we are committed and absolutely determined to fix our truck, ASAP.

Vegetable garden in the process of being prepared for planting. It's a partially tilled plot of land, enclosed by chicken wire fencing, with some young plants already visible (leeks and possibly cabbages). Gardening tools are lying on the ground. In the background a stone house is visible. The overall impression is of springtime preparation for gardening, located in a rural setting.

Small vegetable garden situated on a hillside. The garden is enclosed by wire fencing and features several raised beds, one of which is a defined rectangular area. There are also some wigwam structures for climbing plants, and the soil appears recently tilled. The overall setting is rural and suggests a focus on self-sufficiency or gardening.

Large rhubarb plant in the foreground, thriving in a garden setting. Behind it is a small, whitewashed building, possibly a cottage or house, with a visible fence and some landscaping. The sky is bright blue, indicating a sunny day. The overall impression is one of a peaceful, rural scene.

Although it may not seem like much, this garden is the first one I've ever had, and it holds greater significance for me because Charlie takes pride in it. we have been growing potatoes, swedes, parsnips, long beans, spinach, peppers, and other things all year. This area was primarily a sheep dung heap two years ago, but now it has rich compost.

Black and white Border Collie dog lying down on a concrete surface next to a green wooden door and a weathered, mossy wall. The dog appears calm, looking directly at the camera. The overall setting suggests a rural or farm environment.

His name is Sam, and he's been very friendly today.

Cardboard box containing a collection of dark-coloured feathers, pine cones, and preserved moss. The feathers appear to be from a bird, possibly a crow or raven, and are arranged somewhat haphazardly amongst the other items. The pine cones are various sizes, and the moss provides a bed for the entire scene. The box itself is simple and utilitarian, suggesting the scene is not for display but potentially for storage, crafting, or perhaps for a ritualistic or artistic purpose.

Took a walk through Woodburn glen to relieve anxiety, Charlie is back in an hour, enough time to collect a gift box for my faery friend; she is an awesome women.

8th

While I prepared coffee, Charlie herded sheep from the holding area within our poly tunnel. For thirty minutes, he walked the flock, separating mother ewes from their lambs. This is challenging because the lambs are almost three months old and ready for weening; their marker numbers have nearly completely faded.

Charlie in overalls loading sheep into a trailer. The sheep are being guided up a wooden ramp into the trailer, which is attached to a vehicle. The scene is set in a rural area with a grassy hill and some trees in the background. Another vehicle is parked nearby.

Charlie wearing grey work trousers, using pliers to tag a lamb through the ear. The lamb is partially hidden behind the person's leg. Other sheep are visible in the background within a rustic wooden pen filled with straw. The overall scene depicts a routine agricultural task.

Tagging is quick and painless, mind discomfort is from a clicking sound from the tag fastening together.

Interior of a sheep trailer. Several sheep, including at least one ewe and her lambs, are standing inside the trailer on a bed of straw. The trailer is old and has worn wooden walls and a metallic base. The overall tone is somewhat rustic.

By law, lambs are ear-tagged and their movements are documented in the sheep and goat movement book.

Charlie dressed in a work jacket and plaid shirt, seated at a wooden table. He's hunched over, meticulously filling out a pink invoice or order form with a blue pen. The setting appears to be a small, somewhat cluttered office or workshop, indicated by the yellow walls, a pot containing pens and other small items, and various papers on the table. The overall feeling is one of quiet concentration and possibly routine administrative work.

I was shocked to see a flock of thirty sheep doing nothing at all when I drove past our former grass keep at Bothendean, which is located at the base of the Eildon hills, just outside of Bowden, after passing Ashkirk. Lambs need room to move around in our livestock trailer, so we made two trips to the auction.

View from inside a car driving down a narrow, winding country road. The road is asphalt and appears somewhat damp. The roadside is lined with lush green grass and mature trees, some bare and others in leaf, suggesting it might be spring. A road sign indicating various directions and distances to different locations is visible on the left. The overall sky is overcast and slightly gloomy. The perspective is from the driver's seat, providing a first-person perspective of the journey.

Upon arriving at the loading bay, there were no drovers in sight, nor was anyone else unloading.

Panoramic view of a livestock handling facility. A silver pickup truck with a trailer is parked in a gravel lot in the foreground. Behind the truck is a large, open-sided metal structure, divided into pens, presumably for holding cattle. The sky is mostly sunny with some clouds. The overall impression is of a rural agricultural setting.

After what appeared to be a half hour, a drover arrived, but he appeared to be unsure of what to do. Two work colleges arrived and drove the sheep into their holding pen, while Charlie handed the sheep and goat transit book paperwork.

Sheep pen in a livestock market or farm. Several sheep are visible within metal pens, with a larger, open-roofed shed providing shelter overhead. The foreground features rusty metal gates and fencing, suggesting age and wear. The overall impression is that of a working agricultural setting, perhaps a livestock auction or holding area.

It seems like there are endless sheep holding pens that can accommodate thousands of sheep.

Livestock auction yard or similar facility. The foreground is dominated by weathered wooden pens or partitions, while in the background, a group of people can be seen, possibly bidders or attendees. A large building, possibly a sales hall or storage area, is also visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky. The overall impression is of a rural, working environment, possibly related to agricultural trade.

Flock of sheep, mostly white with some gray flecks, standing within a wooden enclosure. Some sheep appear to have small blue markings on their wool. The ground is covered in small grey stones. The background includes lush green trees and a partially visible sky.

Sometimes creepy people or couples show up at our destination and do annoying things to take advantage of our social connections. This has been going on for years, since 2010.

Sheep auction taking place in a large, indoor arena. A group of people are gathered around a circular pen where a flock of sheep are being assessed. Auctioneers and potential buyers are visible, with some people observing the proceedings from a raised platform. The scene suggests a traditional agricultural setting, possibly in the UK, given the style of the building and attire of the individuals present.

Four ewes and five lambs were among the sheep that sold for £1400, which was a substantial first step towards paying for necessary repairs for our truck.

7th

I woke up early after four hours of sleep. We planned to walk two miles into Roberton to consult a local mechanic, but a neighbour offered to give us a lift.

Our neighbour driving a Ford Fiesta. The view is from the back passenger seat, looking forward at the driver. The car is travelling along a rural road, with green fields visible through the windscreen. The overall impression is one of a peaceful, countryside journey.

According to mechanics, our truck needs a new engine, gearbox, and radiator; the repairs will cost thousands of pounds.

Interior of a car,specifically the passenger's side door and window. The side mirror reflects a view of a wooded area and two other vehicles parked or stopped along a road or driveway. A small building or house is partially visible in the background. The overall scene suggests a rural or wooded setting.

View from inside a car, looking through a somewhat dirty windshield at another vehicle ahead. The car in the foreground appears to be a pickup truck, and a similar model pickup truck is visible ahead, partially obscured. The background shows a rural or country setting with some trees and overcast sky.

After Charlie's neighbour offered to drive him to Denholm to pick up a pickup, we were able to tow it up a steep verge and onto the safety of our farmhouse driveway.

6th

Returning from Bury St Edmunds our truck blew up on the A1 near Harrogate. Disconnections happened when they tried to call for help with recovery, and they also happened when they tried to make another request over the internet. After fifteen minutes, a recovery van arrived after a third call was successful. The recovery man discovered that our radiator had ruptured when he lifted the bonnet. The attempt to refill the radiator resulted in a water flow. He suspects that the head gasket may have ruptured because our truck would not start after cooling.

Dark-coloured Mitsubishi L200 pickup truck stopped on the hard shoulder of a highway. The hood is open, suggesting a mechanical failure or breakdown. The truck appears to be leaking some fluid onto the road surface. The setting is a multi-lane highway with green vegetation visible beyond the road. The overall impression is one of a roadside emergency.

For five minutes, Charlie searched a nearby field to locate a water trough to replenish our radiator with water and identify the source of the leak. The truck did not steam much because the hole was so big by the time we stopped and the water had almost evaporated.

Charlie standing beside his broken-down dark-coloured SUV on the shoulder of a highway. The hood of the vehicle is up, and the passenger side door is open. Charlie appears to be inspecting the engine. The scene is set on a multi-lane highway with other vehicles visible in the distance. The sky is overcast. The overall impression is one of roadside vehicle trouble.

As dusk fell, something was rummaging in the bushes outside, and Charlie asked me to lock my door because two or three cars had pulled onto the hard shoulder in front of us for a short time.

Nighttime shot from inside a our truck. The windshield is misty, and the headlights of other vehicles are visible in the distance. The interior of the car is dimly lit, with the dashboard and instrument panel illuminated. The overall mood is dark, somewhat moody.

Nighttime scene on a highway. A recovery worker in an orange high-visibility jacket is attending to a dark-colored Mitsubishi L200 pickup truck that appears to be broken down. The truck's license plate is visible. The worker is near the front of the truck, and a flatbed tow truck is partially visible in the foreground. In the background, the headlights of other vehicles on the highway are dimly visible. The overall impression is one of roadside assistance at night.

It came as a complete surprise, and I hope it's not sabotage by those who take pleasure in seeing us suffer and struggle. This is different; being stuck on the hard shoulder for an hour while broken down and without a barrier to protect us put our lives in danger.

At Scotch Corner, the truck is being towed.

Close-up of a rose plant's leaves. The leaves exhibit discoloration and dark blotches, suggesting a fungal infection or disease. The leaves are a mix of dark reddish-brown and yellow-green hues, with the dark spots concentrated on some leaves more than others. The overall impression is one of plant distress.

He relayed the recovery of our truck because his little van was unable to tow it. Our initial tow led us to Scottish Corner, while our second and final tow concluded with our truck being packed outside our farmhouse at 2:30 a.m. The relay times were prompt, and our drivers were of commendable character. It was a very, very long day, and we were relieved to be off the hard shoulder. We were also relieved to be returned to the farmhouse with our truck. We grabbed a handful of items from the truck, entered the farmhouse and retired to bed, comforted by a warm electric blanket.

5th

We left Roberton early for Cambridge because Charlie had loaded the truck with diesel the day before. We went through Bonnington Bridge, over Carter Bar into England, down the A68 to Scotch Corner, then along the A1 to Huntingdon, turning left towards Cambridge and heading east over the A604.

Despite my thirty years of hitchhiking across the nation, Charlie doesn't seem to trust me with directions, and he can be extremely intense when planning his route, which causes anxiety. The trip to Cambridge was quite enjoyable; we reserved a comfortable room at The Clayton hotel.

Pint glass of amber-coloured beer. The glass is decorated with a stylised, abstract design in white. The background is blurry but suggests a pub or bar setting. The focus is sharply on the beer glass itself.

Dimly lit pub interior. Charlie, with grey hair sits at a wooden table with a pint of beer in front of him. The pub has string lights, a rustic aesthetic, and other patrons are visible in the background. The overall mood is relaxed and somewhat contemplative.

Pint glass of dark beer on a wooden table. The glass has a design printed on it, featuring stylised graphics and the word BREW partially visible. The background is blurred, suggesting a pub or bar setting. The focus is primarily on the beer glass.

We loved the spacious shower, the room was peaceful and well-furnished, and the immaculately clean mirrors amazed me. The station attempted to charge us for two days of overnight parking, which would commence at 4 a.m., at a rate exceeding thirty-six pounds. However, we were able to locate alternative parking at the Queen Anne car park, which was free. We enjoyed good beer at the Salisbury Arms.

4th

Two rose bushes in Ancrum have the awful black spot on their leaves. Maybe harsh pruning and an antifungal spray will resolve this issue.

Choosing between a non-applicator spray with food (£18.99) and a spray applicator (£7.99), I bought:

Bottle of Fungus Clear Ultra 2 fungicide for flowering plants, sitting on a dark-colored outdoor table. The background is a blurred but pleasant view of a garden and a residential area with houses visible in the distance under a partly sunny sky. The overall impression is one of garden care and maintenance. The product label highlights the fungicide's effectiveness against various plant diseases like Black Spot, Powdery Mildew, and Rust. Therefore, the image conveys a message related to plant health and care in a domestic setting.

Spray is potentially damaging to bees, so I'm contemplating replacing with fungal resistant varieties such as Rosa 'Charles de Mills' and Rosa 'Mortimer Sackler'.

Charlie, as promised took me for a drive to help relieve my tension, he drove a long way enabling me to take some photographs to share with you.

3rd

Charlie took me to Woodside Garden Center and bought me an Oak Green Man as an early birthday present (I turn 51 on the 13th); we welcome male energy into our garden.

Charlie using a screwdriver to fix something on the exterior wall of a house. He's wearing a plaid shirt, jeans, and boots. He appears to be working on the wall next to a window. The background shows a residential street.

Green Man sculpture affixed to a textured exterior wall of a building. The Green Man's face is partially obscured by foliage sculpted into the design. The building features a dark brown window and a section of exterior wall with a light fixture. A portion of a second wall and a doorway are also visible. The sky is visible and clear blue. The overall impression is one of a subtle, decorative accent on the building's exterior.

I went to TROC antiques after buying Charlie pants in Jedburgh. Charlie requested assistance in loading a generator at the Woodburn farmhouse.

Lowering quince bush (Chaenomeles japonica) overflowing with vibrant red blossoms. The bush is somewhat wild and untamed, spilling over into surrounding greenery, which includes grass and other low-lying vegetation. Some of the branches appear older or dead, contrasting with the bright red flowers. The background hints at a wooden fence partially obscured by ivy. The overall impression is one of untamed, vibrant natural beauty.

Charlies quince bush has bloomed many flowers this year.

Close-up view of a vibrant red flower, possibly a quince blossom, in full bloom. The flower is the central focus, sharply in focus against a softly blurred background of greenery and a partially visible wooden fence. The background suggests a natural, outdoor setting. The image's composition emphasises the flower's rich colour and delicate details.

Bluebells.

I am pleased to report that the weeds have not returned in the soil over which I excavated, as I have purchased wood locally to edging our kitchen garden path.

Newly constructed raised garden bed in a rural setting. Wooden planks form the perimeter of the bed, which is partially filled with a green ground cover. Gardening tools, including a spade and a trowel, are leaning nearby. The background shows a stone wall, a field, and a large black tarp, possibly a temporary shelter or cover for plants. The overall impression is one of preparation for planting in a small, possibly allotment, garden.

We checked in on Charlie's elderly neighbour to make sure he was doing well because his brother is away. Okay, a few pictures of the flowers surrounding the farmhouse.

2nd

I rarely ride my mountain bike, so I pedalled to Woodside Garden Centre to acquire a climbing Jasmine plant for my new trellis.

Vibrant yellow rapeseed field stretching across a gently rolling landscape under a partly cloudy sky. A power line pole stands prominently on the right, and a line of trees and shrubs is visible in the distance. Wild grasses and vegetation partially obscure the view of the field in the foreground. A hint of a structure or monument can be seen in the far distance on the hill.

This yellow rapeseed is awful, to me it's such an allergen, the pollen makes my chest wheeze.

Leonie's hand holding an ice cream cone at a table outside a stone building. The building looks like a converted house or small business, perhaps a craft centre, as indicated by the Craft Courtyard sign. A bicycle is visible in the background, and the overall setting appears to be a peaceful, possibly rural location on a somewhat cloudy day. The scene suggests a moment of simple pleasure and relaxation.

Over the road is Harestanes, there is a restuarant and a ice cream parlor; I enjoyed Strawberry icecream before returning to Ancrum.

Dense carpet of ransoms (wild garlic) in bloom, blanketing the forest floor at the base of a large tree. The ramsons have small, white, star-shaped flowers. The background is a lush, green deciduous woodland with dappled sunlight filtering through the trees. The overall impression is one of springtime abundance and natural beauty within a woodland setting.

Close-up view of a Hawthorn bush (Crataegus) in full bloom. Numerous clusters of small, delicate white flowers with hints of pink in the centers densely cover the green foliage of the bush. The overall impression is one of springtime abundance and natural beauty.

Loving the wild garlic and also the mayflower along the A68. Charlie returned to Ancrum after work, and put up my new trellis near a drain pipe, covering over a CCTV tube.

1st

I have chosen a photograph of Honesty for this months diary; yet another virtue wrongfuly despised as a privilege. A very quiet and solitary May Day for me this year, although I watched many festive celebrations webcast over the internet. A miss over which images to use for this months diary, maybe I'll change them later.