We had a wet and rainy evening - I think it stopped at about daylight and we were over four inches of rain - heavy winds - the only thing that kept the roof on my little tin shed was the blast walls keeping most of the wind out. So much for being in a desert!
Up to send out the patrol this morning and then hold down the fort by my lonesome. Last words to the guys - "Keep your heads out of your asses and drive like your life depends on it".
A hand shake all round (mandatory before every patrol) and out the gate.
I always watch through the concertina wire till the last vehicle is out of sight.
Start up the internet and find this. Actually saw it a couple hours ago and truly did not know how to respond. Had to think on it a bit.
Lots of good guys and gals over here - unfortunately - or perhaps fortunately - in this operation we tend to do a lot of work in pairs or by ourselves - our job is to stay out of the news.
Had one neighbouring engineering company drop in on me today - some Polish engineers clearing mines around the area. Wished me a Merry Christmas and dropped of some goodies for the crew.
They were amazed to find I was by myself - it is what we do.
Even got a new guy in from some place called Taaaaxaas - cannot even write it let alone understand it yet! Nice fellow from out near a city called Hewestun - or something like that. A city boy - never rode a horse or touched a cow. Owns a couple of pretty nice cars from the pics I saw.
I hope to understand his brand of English before I get much older!
Countries involved in "my crew": Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Belgium, Italy, Argentina, Finland, Switzerland, Ireland, U.S. of A. and Canada.
We all bring a couple of specialized talents (no poetry or basket weaving) and often work autonomously in some incredibly rugged country - hoping like heck we can keep the radio working. A fairly safe mission but it can be quite volatile.
I am the Team Leader - new position thrust upon me by some unfortunate circumstance - reducing my field work by nearly 30% and I am pissed but someone has to do it - and I am also the oldest at 53 - but they keep me young. Possibly a sympathy position! Deference to my age.
My only gal was transferred out last week - we are all crushed - a looker in a bikini, deadly with her hands and feet, stronger than most men I know and a real good sneak. Going to miss her big time. She left me a bottle of rum as a parting gift. I plan to visit her and her husband in the UK when my wife and I head out there. I am of to London 17 Jan for a couple weeks R&R with my wife.
I can honestly say I love these guys like family - and they would all go over the wall for me. If I am smart (and lucky) they will never have to.
All we do is inspect, observe, patrol and report stuff - not too exciting. No media head lines means we are on the right track.
Kind of chokes me up to read this stuff - not many years ago if I wore a uniform in public I was the worlds worst arsehole.
I am quite shocked tonight - pleasantly so - thanks so much for your kind words and I will pass them along to the crew.
May all of you have a safe and quiet holiday with your families.
Merry Christmas to all.
BC
P.S. - A quick addition: It is tough being away - but all of us over here agree on this point.
The strong ones are the folks back home - without them we could never do it over here.
BC