I made the stupid and fatal mistake of saying to myself yesterday morning when I woke up: “I hope I have a quiet Saturday.” I should know by now this is tempting fate.

Several hours later I was eating breakfast, nearer lunchtime than at breakfast time – but only after a successful outcome from a caesarian.

We’re at the tail-end of calving now and, with a good crop of calves on the ground, there may be fewer sleepless nights.

I have been pleased with the calves from my new Angus bull, which was purchased from the Gretnahouse herd, as my Charolais bulls have been over the years.

It’s a delight to go round the cows and see a calf up suckling when you didn’t even see her on calving.

We seem to be rattling through the autumn tasks at an alarming rate, probably because it’s always a busy time at the start of October.

The first tups went out on the second and, thanks to the teasers, tupping has gone quickly.

Timing is essential, as the lambing shed only holds 280 ewes and, with 800 to lamb inside, changing colours for the crayons is a necessity.

It never ceases to amaze me – and I know I am not alone in this observation: why it is that the tups stay sound all year until they go out with the ewes?

The annual gather

The annual gather of ewes off their summer grazing on the nature reserve was going well – or so I thought – until three stragglers appeared from the depths of the cliffs. As many of you will know, gathering a small number isn’t always easy.

My neighbour, who walks his dog around the reserve every morning, took great delight in telling me where these sheep were each day.

He said he admired how they had escaped the gather. Admire is not the word that came to my mind on the several occasions when I had tried to retrieve them. It wasn’t until I had penned them up that I admired them.

The autumn calf sale at St Boswells dawned bright and sunny. Everyone enjoyed the warmth of the sun on their backs, especially those from the west, who have had a particularly bad summer.

The calves sold well, with some going to new buyers and some loyal regulars, which is always good to see.

A second prize for a pen of four heifers was much appreciated.

Also enjoyable was a good catch-up with folk not seen for some time, which is the bonus for going to the mart.

A trip to the hills saw the draft cheviots selected for another year. They looked well after a summer of plentiful grass. It is a big change for them, coming down to sea level after a life on the hills.

The last big draw of lambs went away last week, down to Dawn Meats through Farmstock Scotland, and averaged out at 21.95kg – all cheviot mule wethers. There is just a handful left, with a few freezer orders to fill.

The nights are drawing in and the mornings taking longer to get light. It’ll not be long before the clocks change!