As much a menace on the training field as match day, Pete Buxton cannot quite believe he will leave Gloucester this summer.
The back-row stalwart explained how his Kingsholm moment in the sun last week will remain forever imprinted on his mind.
THE neighing sound broke Pete Buxton's flow.
As the puzzled back-rower tried to locate its source, the culprit sneaked round the corner.
It was as close to a tiptoe as hooker Olivier Azam could get.
"Cheers Zed," chimed Buxton, just when the wily Frenchman thought he had got away with it.
Buxton's peers used to call him 'the horse' – because he was the same speed carrying extra weight as without.
Andy Hazell was left stunned after one sprint session, where Buxton recorded the same time when dragging a weights sled as he did without.
The BRI has long since been a well-used acronym at Kingsholm: the Bucko Related Injury rearing its nagging head all too often in training.
Feigning ignorance of all these accusations and more, Buxton cracks a smile, shrugs a shoulder and blames clumsiness.
"Me, injure people? That's all lies!" he chuckled.
"There's a couple of guys who have probably taken over the mantle now, I'd like to say that's all in the past where I'm concerned.
"I think if I'm honest I'm just a bit clumsy basically."
Buxton is leaving Kingsholm this summer after 11 sterling years at the Cherry and White helm.
Even the 34-year-old himself cannot quite believe it.
The Cheltenham-born flanker will never forget the big achievements, but said he will probably cherish the everyday moments most.
He said: "I've always said it's the people, coaches and supporters that have made the place what it is.
"It's been a great place to work over the last 11 years, there's never been a day when I didn't want to come in, even in the bad times.
"The banter's been fantastic, I normally get the brunt of it, to be fair, but I can cope.
"Those little things are probably the bits I'll miss the most.
"Just sitting around chatting to the boys with all the banter flying around after training.
"More than anything it's a group of boys who have been together for nine, ten years.
"And then you have some of the younger lads coming in and making impressions.
"Sharing a bench changing space with Sinbad is always interesting, the constant fussing and moaning.
"And constant banter with Hazey, it's been great fun.
"There's not too much of it I can explain in the paper!"
Buxton made his 273rd Gloucester bow in last weekend's 28-23 victory over Saracens.
The former Newport loose-forward climbed off the bench for the final ten minutes to help the Cherry and Whites secure a famous Kingsholm win.
The standing ovation he received for his Kingsholm farewell was as prolonged as it was heartfelt.
Thanking the supporters, Buxton admits that moment will live long in the memory.
He will need no Cherry and White-tinted specs to glorify his final turn at the ground he calls home.
The place truly was sun-drenched, the stadium really was packed out and in full voice – and the side honestly did subdue one of the best around with a performance of classic cut-and-thrust.
When he tells the story in 20 years, he will not need to talk it up.
"I think it will take a while to sink it," he continued.
"I'll sit down over the summer at some point and have a real think about it.
"The reception from the crowd was great when I came on.
"Against Saracens, a full Kingsholm, making great noise getting behind the boys, it's a special place and it was great to finish my time at Kingsholm with the crowd in full song.
"Maybe the only thing that would have topped it would have been for me to score the bonus-point try!
"It was great to be part of a good win against a top team, it sets things up nicely for the boys for next season I think.
"There have been so many standout games and achievements – topping the league in my first season, battling in big final matches, when we beat Saracens by 50 points in the Powergen Cup at home.
"The Munster games in Europe were special, they were great occasions.
"I've genuinely just really enjoyed being here, playing in front of this crowd.
"When Kingsholm's buzzing it's a very special place.
"Every time that happens you can't fail to enjoy it.
"We've always been willing to work hard for each other, and that's what I've enjoyed more than anything."
No doubt Buxton would have loved to see out his career at Gloucester.
But an opportunity to be part of coach Andy Robinson's revamp at Bristol next season will allow the back-row warhorse one more meaty challenge.
Excited by the opportunity ahead, Buxton wants Gloucester to cap the campaign with a win at Exeter next weekend, and he wants the Cherry and Whites to build their belief to match their potential next term.
He added: "This year's been great, this is a very good team but just every now and then it lacks a little self-belief I think.
"We've shown at times just how good a team we can be.
"And hopefully we can finish the season beating a top-six side away from home.
"That should be the belief that the guys have among themselves – Gloucester should always be a quality side playing quality rugby.
"Bristol has history behind it, it's a proper rugby club and it's a rugby city.
"So it's similar to Gloucester in those respects.
"They've got a strong group of core supporters that will get behind the team if it does well.
"So it's going to be a nice way for me to finish off."
