August 2006.

2 – A most welcome day’s rain, our first for ages, though the ground is so baked it hardly soaked in. Wild flowers have died off and certain trees have suffered badly in the drought, notably saplings with shallow root systems, and beech. It will be next year before we know if one beech tree has survived; shut down into winter mode, its leaves are shed leaving only beech masts on the branches.

This photograph, taken from the Iron Age fort at Brough Law, shows how the valley looked at the beginning of the month.

5 – Took the quad bike and collies round the in-bye sheep. This is Shep, the latest addition to the team. Came to me last summer aged four months, a very wayward puppy from the town. Now settling into work, knows that sheep are his game, not rabbits!

13 – Our second wet day. Not the best for our neighbours’ summer party but everyone agreed great for the land.

15 – Sold cattle at Wooler. Mostly aged 16 months they averaged £450.

18 – Torrential rain all day. River rose very quickly. This photograph was taken late afternoon.

 Whittingham Show, tomorrow, cancelled because field waterlogged. Such a shame for the show committee - months of preparation dashed by the weather.  Intended to wean lambs today but too wet and sheep pens flooded.

19 – ‘Friends Walk’ at the coast. Got out the car to invigorating smell of sea air, stunning scenery and bright blue skies, no wonder the area is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Starting from the dunes at Low Steads farm walked north on a section of the recently opened Northumberland Coast Path, a 64-mile route between Cresswell in the south and Berwick-upon-Tweed in the north.

Saw fulmars and guillemots nesting on Cullernose Point

and stopped to look at several different species of butterflies – including painted ladies, small coppers and this wall butterfly, which stayed still long enough for me to get a photograph.

 Rosehips, brambles and sloes along the path, all much earlier than usual, the fruit hastened by the dry weather. Passed through Craster, the village is renowned for its oak-smoked kippers, and on to the impressive ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. 

	Picnicked on the headland and watched wonderful waves breaking onto the rocky shore.

 Followed circular loop inland past Howick then re-joined the Coast Path back to the cars.  

21 – Weaned a field of in-bye lambs today. Grass is beginning to grow again. Damp, warm weather has led to a glut of mushrooms, on the hill and in fields.  

22 – Evening Duck Race on the river, a fund raiser for Alnwick Young Farmers Club. 200 plastic ducks dropped in to the water at Peggy Bell’s Bridge. The first to reach Bulby’s Wood, about one mile downstream, was the winner.

26 – Took part in the 25th Cheviot Challenge from Alwinton in the Coquet Valley. The 24-mile route followed Clennell Street, an ancient cross-border drovers’ route, then took to the high hills of Bloodybush Edge and Cairn Hill, before joining the Pennine Way, pictured, to Windy Ghyll. Descended to the Usway Burn, then the Coquet Valley and finished at the Rose and Thistle pub, all three of us with sore feet!

28 – Bank Holiday Monday. Stewarded pony classes at Glendale Show near Wooler. A very big agricultural show, it attracts thousands of visitors every year. With special main ring attractions, plus classes for sheep, cattle and horses, amazing vegetables and mouth watering home-baking, there is always lots to see.