Hi Bromsgrove
What can I say without swearing, not a lot. It has been and continues to be terrible over here. I don't think any of us who haven't been before realised just what we were in for. No matter how prepared you think you are for an Afghanistan tour, you're not. Many of the lads and girls love it, maybe they are the ones doing the things back in Bastion or Kaf. Then they get stick that they have never been on the frontline, however we need all the jobs done over here to survive. If I could have been one of the bods back at a main base I would have gladly stayed there. I didn't arrive until five months ago with that attitude, like most of us, I wanted to get out into the field and do the job I'm trained for. I still believe that but I, and 99 per cent of us, of had enough now.
We are sick of being shot at, and you can't see where it's coming from. We're sick of being bitten by mossies that are hug and, the ants are on steroids I reckon as they are the biggest I've ever seen. This is in addition to the rats and mice running around us, enviromental health would have a field day at my current non choice of residence.
Okay, moan of the day over. We have been very busy esspecially leading up to the elections last week. All in all, the feedback we are getting is that it went off relatively smoothly. There have been some inicidents, but we knew that was going to be the case. However, the sheer fact that an election was able to take place with minimal disruption is a huge step in the right direction - we must have got something right. Can you imagine, not having freedom of speech, freedom of movement in our country. We are making progress and, whilst it will take many years, after some of the sites we have seen you realise we are here for a good reason. Innocent lives wrecked every day, young children living in constant fear, we wouldn't want that in the UK. No one should be ruled and live by terrorism. When I help and treat an injured soldier, then I am looking after my own and this is where my priority lies. Talking of which, get well soon Jack and excuse my mother - she's a little mad and ignore anything she tells you about me it's all lies. See you ASAP mucker. Back to saving the lives. How would you react seeing a seriously injured child in front of you, they are the innocent party who cannot speak for themselves. Yes charity does begin at home, but my god if you saw what we have during what has been the bloodiest tour since the Afghan conflict began, like us, you wouldn't sleep at night.
We don't sleep because we are so busy and many of the lads are on thier knees by now. It's a long six months and we've all lost weight - we are all exhausted and although the military does their best with the rations, I am sick of eating out of a foil packet. We are so grateful when the food parcels arrrive. We have been getting our mail albeit a little slower but it's too dangerous to bring it to us on a daily basis, we haven't got a postman dropping it on our doorstep each morning.
Talking of postmen, Congratulations to Kev, the Collis Close postman, heard all about you and hear that you and the missus have had a gorgeous little boy, well done mate. I also hear that you ask after me and Alex (who I've yet to meet) everytime you see our mums, so hi there. Mum also tells me the sorting office has once again been fab in sending our parcels on the first leg of their long journey so again thank you. The biggest thanks has to go to the public in the first place for either putting a parcel together or donating at one of the store collections or events SOS do up and down the country. Mrs Karen Webster, you are a star having kicked all this off years ago and to all of the A/Cs that, like my mum, work tirelessly to keep us going a huge heartfelt thank you from each and every soldier that has received parcels, food, clothes etc from you. Maybe you should all run for PM, lol.
I am almost at the end now, in 13 days time I arrive home for my two weeks off. I can't wait to hold the love of my life, Anna, in my arms, although I'm sure I won't smell too pleasant. A ham and tomato sandwich, a bath and then off out for a few bevvies with Anna, mum and Kevy Wevy. I just want to chill out and recharge the batteries before I have to come back to finish the tour. I'm also looking forward to seeing my mates and finally congratulating, in person, Stegs and Clare on their engagement - after ten years together, it's about time.
This will probably be my last blog as I am very busy and on the move in the next few days to hopefully meet up with another group of our platoon. I don't know where I am heading or what facitilties there will be. Canit be any worse than this place, compounds are unpleasent holiday residencies. Talk about a holiday from hell. Then we will be winding up and handing over to the guys coming over for the next six-month stint. We will still be working, still be arguing with the neighbours, but the end will be in sight. We will keep on fighting on behalf of those we have lost. It hits home when it's your own regiment and the Welsh Guards have taken a hammering on this tour, but it also hits home when we hear that people like Robbie Laws have lost their lives - you never expect it to be from your own town.
Thank you to you all for your continued support and keep it up for the next lot, they will need it and not just at christmas. I also want to thank those who have supported my mum and nan throughout this, she tells me all her freinds, old and new have been fab. You all know who you are. Tris and all at the Standard, I don't know where to start thanking you. All the help and support you give to SOS and the weekly paper delivery is all morale-boosting stuff and without you I don't think SOS in Bromsgrove would be such a success.
I hope I am never having to do this again but I know I will so till the tour of March 2011 (when I'm due back here).
See you in the pub, mines a magners !!!!
Phil x
PS: Pete at the Korner Kitchen, cheers for the local lads' free sanrnie vouchers, can't wait to tuck into mine - any chance you could set up shop over here? x
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