I should point out that when I was deployed to the S Atlantic (post conflict, cheeky ****ers), a REME Sgt spent 5 mins watching me try to assemble some webbing. He was that annoyed, he took it off me and sorted it out properly. Which was handy, it then spent 4 months in my locker ready to hand over to my replacement. Same trip I endured 2 weeks on a RN Frigate, during which we went alongside at Georgia, where I got to go ashore and spend 3 nights in Shackleton house, which in all honesty, wasn't a hotel but was nice. Bar was subsidised by the bootys there. I've suffered I tell you.
It's a waterproof(usually gortex) thing( very descriptive ) you stick your doss bag in so you don't get piss wet through when kipping in the bottom of a trench. Or on the open plains of the Brecon Beacons. Or anywhere else you might find yourself sleeping in a cold, wet place. Without one you get very wet, very quickly. Not that you'd know, the biggest hardship you probably ever encountered was when the mini bar ran out of single malt.
23 years. Not a single night under canvas. Never understood why anyone would wanna. We got issued some ****e like that, the roll mat was handy for aerobics as I recall. The missus, not me obvz, no need for me to do any fizz! Get in! Celebrations start tomorrow for us, eldests birthday, think she's 28, hard to keep track of these things. In addition she's about to deliver our first grandson to us, should be 9th Jan but...already almost fully engaged, so I suspect he wants out ASAP. Christmas is girls and their other halves round, boxing day is same with mum in law and my parents, so, I'll get to watch the game with my dad moaning his tits off about the ref, foreign managers, Phelan, us not playing direct attacking football, the Allams, the Council...so my plan is to quietly get ****faced that day. Then its 4 days of eating the leftovers on account of the witch buying and cooking too much. Got a large case of suffolks finest, plus a 3l bottle of Asbach to get through. Looking forward to it
I'm knocking off in time for lunch at one of the eateries by the marina tomorrow. Obviously not saying which one, I don't want any of you riff raft rocking up trying to blag free drinks. I'm going back to work as soon as the missus starts getting on my nerves (could be any day after Boxing Day).
I knocked off last Friday Really unusual for me, I'm normally working up until day before Christmas Eve. Been nice to be off, although it's meant that I've got a lot more involved in Christmas related shopping than I usually do! (I'm normally just sent out hunting and gathering for booze and meat) Just had a really nice beer with Guvnor66 ...12% stout anyone ?!?!?!?!?!
I'll be done by around half 10 tomorrow if things go to plan. Then butchers to pick up some meat & Morrisons for some Vodka. Back on the 3rd. Must get her a prezzie at some point, probably Saturday. Just got in from a lads night with my "boys". Some grub at Chiquito's & flcks for Star Wars. Eldest slept through most of it. Youngest told me off for continually calling the waiter Mr Potter whenever I spoke to him. There was an uncanny resemblance & I couldn't stop myself. We'll be coming over on the 28th, if you need owt Askew let me know & I'll see what I can do when we're passing, as long as it's only a wave &I a beep of the horn to show support & solidarity.
I've registered for Dry January for some reason. I think it was because I could then justify my December drinking. I have already quoted many times 'but I'm not drinking in January'. I do believe in flexibility re planning though. Is there a dry February?
Haha.... Chelsea doesn't feel like London it's got more of a village feel, I cannot stand central London & try to avoid it at all costs! I get back to The East Riding most weekends
And a merry Christmas to you. I'll paddle my raft to the Marina later, but don't know who this "riff" is.