R Duncan Gray

Butcher (30+ y). Now activity coordinator, instructor, mentor, with mainly Autistic individuals at R.F. Countryways C.I.C. on a mixed farm
Chunterings my own.

[R Duncan Gray @DuncanGray_]

@ExplorerJust Consequences of an oversight?
When last on the beach did you leave the customary payment of some dropped chips, half bacon sandwich, crisps, ..? It was noted!
This is the polite reminder. It can escalate, keep cars under cover, no washing out, lids on bins etc. Good luck. 😄

[R Duncan Gray @DuncanGray_]

@ExplorerJust 1st walk for the dogs was in light rain, I came back drenched in sweat. The day has been hot and sticky.
Then for the last 10 or 15 minutes it has been utterly biblical! Great slushy hailstones, wind chased rain stotting in the yard, lightning, thunder! Highlight of the day🙂

[R Duncan Gray @DuncanGray_]

@ExplorerJust You might be on to something there. .... 🤔? .... I can swap out that sedentary suburban model for a solid feisty-go-anywhere-eat'all'it'fancies-multi'terain goat! Admittedly more of a "Cling on for g'dness sake!" mower than a ride on. Though it would be one heck of a ride. 🙂

[R Duncan Gray @DuncanGray_]

@ExplorerJust Yes, pretty much the same. At the time kindle was solely amazon sourced books and didn't support the epub files a lot of free/open sources like Gutenberg used. I think that has changed but am still more comfortable being less shackled to one business.

[R Duncan Gray @DuncanGray_]

* I came across the term, a 'blaze' of firecrests, from a @CampaignerKate blog, rather fitting. It certainly fitted the impact their gloriously lively fleeting & exciting presence had on the young man I was working with. And on myself, 2/3rd's into a soggy, chilly days work.🙂

[R Duncan Gray @DuncanGray_]

1/2 I am as certain as can be I saw my 1st 'blaze'* of firecrests yesterday! Gorgeous la'll flitty things! Confirmed by a young Farm Helper who was in awe of their song & marking. I heard nothing! A very knowledgeable ornithologist heard them in my company, I heard nothing. ..

[R Duncan Gray @DuncanGray_]

@ExplorerJust With all the sniffles in the house our dogs are currently sneaking around snaffling used tissues at every opportunity! Interesting poops.

[R Duncan Gray @DuncanGray_]

2/2 .. seeing my first marsh harriers.
Then stopping in Aylesbury on our way home for a "what can we find" meal. Turned out to be a very pleasant little Sri Lankan restaurant.
Yes, it's been a good day.🙂

[R Duncan Gray @DuncanGray_]

1/2 A good day. I managed to get over to #otmoorreserve with both my grown sons, hoping to see a good murmuration. I grew up with them as a common sight. Starlings only partly played along, moving themselves off at a distance. Still a glorious thing to witness again. Bonus was ..

[R Duncan Gray @DuncanGray_]

@ExplorerJust I had to look that up. Reminds me of Kwon unga with malakwan & g nut paste stew we had in northern Uganda. I loved it, and got a reputation for loving it amongst the villages!
I haven't brought back individual recipes from my travels. More a selection of cooking styles & ideas.

[R Duncan Gray @DuncanGray_]

We went on a jolly, up to London, with all the discombobulation that entails!
Took a young man I work alongside and his P.A. to #WizardryInWood Amazing & inspirational turning, truly lovely & welcoming craftspeople & stewards. Thanks to @Turners_Company for a great day 🙂

[R Duncan Gray @DuncanGray_]

@ExplorerJust Gorgeous dogs. Every time I teeter on getting one I hunt out personal experience videos like this.
Thanks for bringing me back from the edge Justin. You are appreciated. 😉😄

[R Duncan Gray @DuncanGray_]

@ExplorerJust Found a large, ready to harvest puffball in a field margin last week. A lot went through the dehydrator but several slices were fried in butter, garlic and sea salt, then a layer of thin salami, topped with an egg, pan juice poured over.
The lad here that day loved it!🙂🍽️🙂

[R Duncan Gray @DuncanGray_]

@milton_damian That is frankly extremely disturbing.

[R Duncan Gray @DuncanGray_]

@ExplorerJust "Between three and four hundred press-ups...?" springs to mind.
At least that scam was delivered with style.
I haven't taken note of the footwear worn, but perhaps someone has been sniffing the boot polish too much?

[R Duncan Gray @DuncanGray_]

Brace! Brace! Bra..... oh never mind, too late. (10 hours ago)
I survived anyway, and thoroughly enjoyed it!
We hosted a young woodturner day for 7 (2 of who we learnt of in last hours of prep)
Brilliant day. Today's youth are great!*
(*Ok, not all, but by far most.🙂)

[R Duncan Gray @DuncanGray_]

@ExplorerJust 😄

[R Duncan Gray @DuncanGray_]

@ExplorerJust One of the odd little pleasures of the season drawing in is lighting the little oil lamp on my desk to read and write by, the little pool of light being a calm haven.
Admittedly I'm no longer getting up before sparrer's first fart to go to work in a Butcher's at t'other end. 🙂

[lemn sissay OBE FRSL @lemnsissay]

If you chase butterflies they fly away
Said moonlight to the sun
But if you create a beautiful garden
The butterflies will come