October 2025

31st

I set up direct debit for my gas and electricity bills today; it will only be a few weeks until these prepayment meters are taken away. I'm glad that I went without to get solvent.

30th

Today, Charlie's family left the farmhouse. I like them, but I don't like family politics. My family has been dead to me for decades. We have been prohibited from entering the village shop due to our observations of social dynamic; Charlie was told by the BEM awarded proprietor "take the film down or find somewhere else to get your gas and electric".

The nearest pay station for gas and electric is located in Jedburgh, which is five miles away. Charlie has heart failure, has had two strokes, and is now having TIAs. We are both over 50, and I suffer from both complex post-traumatic stress disorder and generalised anxiety disorder. I know we're lucky to have our own transportation; I'm touching wood.

28th

Travelled to Kaleford to photograph herons.

Thought the raindrops would conceal my approach.

27th

Done decorating the guest room at Woodburn Farmhouse.

Charlie's mum is coming to stay; I hope she's comfortable.

25th

Charlie mounted the bale spike on the tractor today.

Woodburn Paddock's grass has stopped growing.

It is necessary to install two troughs at this time, as the ewes in lamb are returning from the grass keep.

Our new tup and his new herd are getting comfortable in the paddock.

23rd

Every year, our ewes in lamb make their way back to Woodburn from their grass keep.

This year, I took a video of the event, which has been posted to YouTube for public viewing.

20th

I cycled six miles to Roxburgh.

Along the Jedburgh line.

A black cat kept me company even though I was lonely and cold.

Until Charlie arrived with coffee and cake, I relished the autumnal sunset.

19th

Charlie exhibits a lick bucket.

The duration was two months.

Earlier that day, we went to a farm dispersal.

Finally, we had breakfast at England's Last Cafe.

18th

This is the diminutive front garden of my residence.

I opted for modesty because my life has been extraordinarily frugal.⁣

17th

Charlies old water filter; filter was years out of date.

According to the guy who took it out, it was worth £40.

15th

Ca Knowe Cairn was the subject of our film.

Today saw the release of the short sunset film.

14th

Our Tup watches whilst Charlie dags ewe lambs.

Our herd is safeguarded by this amicable Tup.

13th

Firstly we enjoyed a full cooked breakfast.

Then collected our tup and released him onto Woodburn paddock.

He instantly took a shine for our cade lamb Lucy.

12th

Charlie describes how haylage bales positioned throughout a field are used to feed sheep.

Charlie is tired but enjoying the view from our car.

After purchasing this mini, a mechanic observed that an air hose had been disconnected.

This atmospheric valley was home to hundreds of tups that grazed in these fields.

The 16th generation iPhone takes much better panoramic photos than the 14th generation iPhone.

Getting back to Woodburn through the Borthwick Valley.

We were supposed to cook pork chops, cabbage, and potatoes, but we were both too tired, so we just made a fry up.

11th

The sunset is beautiful as it passes through Woodburn.

I've felt blessed to have lived at Woodburn with Charlie.

7th

We took the old tup to market as cast.

We believe he escaped slaughter as he made more than meat.

6th

At Woodburn Paddock, the first ewes in lamb arrive.

Another month they will enter our polytunnel until they have lambed.

2nd

From the yearly Teeswater auction at Leyburn, we bought a tup.

There was a seven / ten-day holding period, so we left without him.