A Sad Sort Of Story & A Quality Scotch Egg

As it turned out, the chap with the ducks who I thought was a farmer, wasn't a farmer.
He works as a part time taxi driver.He was not the owner of the ducks either, they were owned by his son..funny how the true story is more complicated than it had to be.
The son rang me last night about the ducks, the conversation was a difficult one as he sounded somewhat drunk,but eventually I arranged to call in to assess the birds in situ so to speak. It was no trouble, because I was almost passing his house today anyway, I had planned to go up to the vets to collect flea treatment for the animals.
The duck owner, as it turned out, was still in his teens. He looked as though he had just got out of bed when I arrived at two and had great difficulty walking to the front door.His speech was still slurred and slightly laboured so It was not hard to figure out that he was recovering from some sort of head injury.
He led me to a small enclosure in the back garden which housed two sad looking drakes sitting on a hard concrete floor.The run was sparse but clean enough and there was pellets in a bowl and clean water set up in the corner.They needed to be housed on some grass with room to run around.
" why are you getting rid of them" I asked and the boy looked incredibly sad and somewhat sheepish
"I can't look after them anymore" he slurred .... "I've had a bad car accident"
The garden was filled with runs and little enclosures, all of them quiet and empty and the boy explained rather morosely that all of his hens,budgies,quail, pigeons and ferrets had been given away to good homes.Only the two drakes were left and true to form, no one would take a couple of mucky looking drakes off his hands.
Drakes, with all of their bullying sexual ways, are something I could do without, but there was something so sad about the fact that this lad had to lose his menagerie of pets because of an arbitrary accident, I said I would take them. In the great scheme of things, it was no skin off my nose
"You wont cull them to eat will you" he asked when I eventually caught both birds and I assured him that they had found a good home.
"That's good" he slurred "I raised these two from duckings..."
"Have they got names?" I asked
"Bert and Ernie" he replied " from Sesame Street!"
"I remember them" I said
He tried to smile, but it just didnt work out.
Duck no 1 Bert
Duck no 2 Ernie

I felt somewhat melancholy when I got the ducks home, and after setting them up in the duck house with food and water , I took the dogs out for a walk.Of course all I could think of was the sad long term rehab ramifications for the lad with the head injury, His journey to some sort of normality would be a long and difficult one.
As I wandered through the centre of the village, Trelawnyd Val called out to me to come over
She had a pressie for me!
It was a QUALITY SCOTCH EGG from the posh Hawarden Estates Farm Shop.......
Another delightfully well timed and thoughtful gift.........
I managed to keep it intact, until I got home

70 comments:

  1. Anonymous5:23 pm

    Poor young fellow.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Every act of kindness deserves kindness. That was a great thing you did John

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous5:28 pm

    hope in due time the young man recovers enough to once again have animals to care for...so now Bert and Ernie have joined your clan. Look forward to hearing how they settle in!!! I'm familiar with drakes, we had white Muscovy ducks when I was a kid and the male was "in the mood" ALL the time. Very much like the Bantam roosters :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sex sex sex... That's all that's on a drakes mind

      Delete
  4. Anonymous5:42 pm

    Thanks for taking in Bert and Ernie. It was a very nice gesture for this young man. I hope you enjoyed your egg.

    ReplyDelete
  5. How sad for him to see those empty runs every day. Maybe they can work as a goal, to have them filled again one day. At least he can have some comfort in knowing Bert and Ernie are leading the good life.

    That's a fine-looking scotch egg. Though now it strikes me, you must have quite a gallery of Scotch egg photos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "you must have quite a gallery of Scotch egg photos"
      That sentence has tickled me no end....John, you should put it in your CV - under 'Hobbies'....

      Delete
    2. it will be in the book ;p

      Delete
    3. Porn for scotch egg lovers

      Delete
  6. You are my kind of guy! Thank you for coming through in the compassion department. You are always there when it counts. The poor young man...maybe he can visit Bert and Ernie.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The poor lad. How good of you to take the Drakes in John....how on earth do you afford to take care of so many critters? Enjoy your scotch egg x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Poor lad, poor ducks....situations are rarely just black or white are they?....

    ReplyDelete
  9. The poor young man. It seems he was resigned to parting with his brood; I hope the rest were as lucky as Bert and Ernie. And, I barely got through this, lauging over Bert and Ernie. I loved them.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ah, poor guy...poor Bert and Ernie. Perhaps the occasional photo update for him, so he can see his guys enjoying their new life?
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  11. That poor boy. Head injuries can have long running ramifications.

    The ducks will be happy with you.

    Tell me about this Scotch egg of which you speak. What is its contents (beyond the egg)?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sausage meat surround and breadcrumbs

      Delete
  12. I just googled up a recepie for making Scotch eggs. While the author proclaims them simple to make, I doubt it. Too many opportunities to spoil the outcome. But, I came back to tell you, acording to that fellow, you are cutting your prize open the wrong direction.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This was a round scotch egg so no way go knowing!
      Generally they are slightly oval

      Delete
  13. Lucky ducks. I feel for the boy, too. Deb

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh John I've got tears in my eyes reading your post but the ducks couldn't have gone to a better home. My goodness that scotch egg looks good, I'm rather partial to the black pudding ones from our local farmers market.
    Jo xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's my next one to try

      Delete
    2. They've got black pudding scotch eggs as well at the Hawarden Farm Shop - I'll get you one to try next time I'm out that way.....

      Delete
  15. It's so easy to jump to conclusions and mis-judge somebody. As I read through your blog, I felt so sorry for this young lad. John, you're a good 'un and the drakes will have good lives with you. Scotch eggs look delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  16. They look like quite a handful, both of them!
    The ducks I mean, not the eggs :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Tears for this one--especially when you got to the names. Bert and Ernie--they were a big part of my sons' early childhood, and I felt so sad for the boy. Not even the
    Scotch egg cheered me up.

    ReplyDelete
  18. thanks for being you John...praying that young man will have a good outcome eventually...

    ReplyDelete
  19. Awwwwwwww I'm in tears, I hope your taking the ducks brings some relief to him, not to have to worry about them.
    I wonder if a small pet would help him out like a older dog ? You would know about this better than I would.

    Daughter is much like you. She works at the Humane Society Clinic and some of the animals she see (rips your heart out) besides the stupid uncaring owners, she deals with the abused and discarded. The lasted adopted member of her family (she is also a short term foster Mum) was tossed out of the car in front of the clinic and landed on her back. They were going to put the little sweetpea to sleep and daughter stepped in worked with the dog. The dog would never be adoptable so she took her home. I posted about her on my blog March 8th.

    Now I must go the market so I can make some Scotched Eggs !

    cheers, parsnip

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Send me an egg photo

      Delete
    2. is it legal to transmit scotch egg porn over the internet? Dont do it Angstpar, its a trick!!!

      wait... oh.

      Delete
  20. That's just too sad, John.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Good on you John for taking the drakes, you are such a kind-hearted soul.
    Sad about the young man, but you've done your bit in helping his troubles.
    I like to make Scotch Eggs, it's one of the first cookery lessons we were taught in school.
    You have fine taste :)
    ~Jo

    ReplyDelete
  22. Bravo John. Your kindness will be rewarded with more than Scotch eggs and rains slickers some day. I will have to try those delightful looking egss when we come over for a visit in October.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I worked with the head injured, I remember how I felt at times.
    I was impressed by your scotch egg, surely the Rolls Royce of savoury snacks!

    ReplyDelete
  24. So sorry this wasn't the story I was expecting to read about you adopted two new ducks. I know I've mentioned it before but I'll say it again: You're a good man, John Gray.

    Enjoy your well-deserved Scotch Eggs. I've never had one, but am thinking I might have to try.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Poor kid. Good on you for giving the ducks a new home.

    ReplyDelete
  26. poor lad-he probably needs something to care for, but isn't capable by himself. Very sad. Lucky drakes!

    ReplyDelete
  27. if there was ever a reason to have a scotch egg, today would be the day. comfort food is okay and you are a good friend and have good friends (even if being a good friend is taking care of bert and ernie-) so be it XXXX




    ReplyDelete
  28. You are a one man Humane Society! You should get tax deductible donations for all your charity. Poor fella. I expect his heart has been breaking over the loss of his pets along with all his other problems. There will be a place in heaven for you. Straight to, no stopping by the Gate!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I hope Bert and Ernie integrate well with all the other ducks. I can imagine there will some stories forthcoming!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Oh John xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  31. I do love a happy ending - well, at least it seems so for the ducks. Will keep my fingers crossed for that young man. And the grand finale' of a scotch egg photo was excellent. Good for you John.

    ReplyDelete
  32. You have a very caring heart, John Gray. Greetings from Canada, eh. I just read your blog, and older posts, for the first time - had a damned good chuckle, thank you. I'm sorry your Stanley went flat. My dad's name was Stanley and he too is no longer with us. Scotch eggs - never had one. If they are encased in any kind of organ meat then I shall never have one. Some things just should not pass the teeth.
    Am looking forward to hear how Bert & Ernie settle in.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Oh, i too, feel for that poor young man. I hope and pray he can make a full recovery. I'd like to think he could see Bert and Ernie in their new digs and very happy, and that that would help with some of the pain he's feeling at having to find homes for his menagerie.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Ah, John. It's been said here before today, but you really earned your Scotch Egg. You are such a kind and humane person and recognised what that young lad was going through. I sincerely hope he comes through his injury and is able to rebuild his life to the level where he is happy and contented.

    Janet

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Did you notice that the scotch egg resembles WALL-E's face

      Delete
    2. HA! It DOES! And it wouldn't had you not set them slightly askew to one another.... Give Bert & Ernie a chuff under the chin for me.
      That was a fine looking scotch egg by the way...the meat looks so finely ground.

      Delete
  35. John it's difficut to know if I am more emotional over:

    *the poor boys' unbidden terrible injury
    *the fact he was, even with his lot, worried over Bert & Ernie being cared for (& not eaten)
    *your grand kindness in taking them in for what will undoubted be a good life...

    Bravo to you for your giving and caring ways!

    Issy

    ReplyDelete
  36. Being a survivor of head injury, I can only imagine the relief that young fellow had that he knew his drakes would be well-looked after.
    Now to that scotch egg....is it surrounded in sausage meat or a pate of sorts?

    ReplyDelete
  37. You're a good man Mr. John. You deserve a pristine Scotch Egg, yes you do. Bert and Ernie are the lucky one. Hope the young man does well.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I am so sorry for that young man. And so glad that Bert and Ernie are coming to live with you. Do you think that the young man would like to visit them from time to time? Would that be possible?

    ReplyDelete
  39. Poor kid. So glad you took the ducks. Maybe he could come and see them running around like happy ducks.

    ReplyDelete
  40. So sad. I hope it works out well for all involved. :)

    ReplyDelete
  41. A reward for taking the drakes.
    Hope all works out for you, John. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  42. Poor boy. Life is going to be tough enough without having to see all his animals go.
    Well done for taking the drakes on, it will be interesting to read how it works out.
    I was feeling a bit sorry for myself until I read this. It's 4am, it's just started snowing, the forecast is awful and I'm worried if Nick is going to get home from Heathrow today - his plane just took off from Bangalore. Reading how hard life is for someone else has made me think I'm lucky really and that I shouldn't be so neurotic about a bit of snow. I am sick of the snow and the cold this year though.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Now even though those Scottish eggs just don't look quite as hot and juicy ,crispy, and tasty as mums sizzlin Scottish eggs ..still and all ~ like pavlovs dogs ... I salivate at the sight of them~ I am sure Hawarden Estates wouldn't serve less than quality Scotch Eggs.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Awfully sweet of you to take in those ducks.

    And I've heard so much about Scotch eggs from you, that I finally googled several recipes, and I'm resolved to try to make them this weekend. I have friends coming over for drinks/Easter egg dyeing so there should be plenty of boiled eggs around.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Aww, this story broke my heart. Poor boy, but at least the duckys are gonna be ok with you John. Bless, he had the courage to ask whether you were going to cull (eat) them. I bet he was worried sick. Do they give out Humane Society medals cos if they do I'm gonna nominate you John Gray. I would deliver scotch eggs to you on a weekly basis if I lived in the UK .... but... I live in NZ and I would hate to see the state of them by time they arrived by snail mail!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Oh that poor boy, how sad for him. I hope Bert and Ernie do well in their new home.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Nice one John, and that scotch egg looks amazing. Do they do mail order?

    ReplyDelete
  48. Poor lad. Good for you, taking the drakes in.

    ReplyDelete
  49. So sad for the boy....so lucky he found you. Best wishes to Bert and Ernie in their new safe haven.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Poor lad...did you give him the blog address so he can keep tabs on them? Have you thought of adding a webcam...a live feed would be fab!

    ReplyDelete
  51. How very sad for the lad to have to give his animals up just when he would need them most.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Well now I'm just choked up over it all. I'm glad Bert and Ernie have a fine new home. Prayers for the unfortunate fellow. May he recover fully and be able to have many more pets in future. You're a good man, John.

    ReplyDelete
  53. So good of you to help the poor young man out in a pinch. I worked many years as a rehabilitation counselor and of all the disabling conditions a person could be stricken with, it is generally agreed, that people with head injuries are the loneliest people. It is such an isolating injury because you are not the person you were before the accident. Your personality changes and you can have a fit of temper one minute and be crying in a puddle the next. So all your friends abandon you & family even avoids you. The worst part is that you still have enough awareness to remember how your life used to be compared to after the head injury. So it is especially sad that the young man could not have kept one animal to help him have some company & someone to confide in & love now that his life has changed for the worst.
    Thank you for taking Ernie & Bert home. I am sure you may regret it, but you did it for the right reasons. The scotch egg looks like a tasty treat. I will have to look up the recipie and make some for my friends. If they turn out badly, they will still eat them as long as they have been drinking ahead of time.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Maybe the lad could come and help out on the allotment once a week, or once a month. It would do him some good and might give you a helping hand.

    btw, you are a hero, John the Ducks.

    efrompdx

    ReplyDelete

I love all comments Except abusive ones from arseholes