March - The End
TUESDAY 2.3.99 7.10pm
Since last writing the weather has improved 100%, for the past couple of nights I could sit in the house and not feel cold!! On Sunday (28th) we got the Bar BQ going and had steaks, yesterday was the same but we had chicken. Einstein thought it was his birthday when he got a load of meat this morning!!
Today there was a big SFOR exercise at Srednje. On the memo it said that IPTF presume not needed. Then, the Italian General blew his top because we didn’t liaise with him. Actually we did attend so he can blow it out of his arsehole!!! Today I also bought my LAST ticket home. I’m flying Croatia Airlines on Saturday 13th at 7am landing at Heathrow at 11am. OU 490. I’ll be returning on the 12.50pm flight on 25.3.99 arriving Sarajevo at 9pm (change at Zagreb). 7.30pm I’ve just phoned Del but couldn’t get a word in!!!! I’ll be off now, See Ya!!
Today there was a big SFOR exercise at Srednje. On the memo it said that IPTF presume not needed. Then, the Italian General blew his top because we didn’t liaise with him. Actually we did attend so he can blow it out of his arsehole!!! Today I also bought my LAST ticket home. I’m flying Croatia Airlines on Saturday 13th at 7am landing at Heathrow at 11am. OU 490. I’ll be returning on the 12.50pm flight on 25.3.99 arriving Sarajevo at 9pm (change at Zagreb). 7.30pm I’ve just phoned Del but couldn’t get a word in!!!! I’ll be off now, See Ya!!
THURSDAY 4.3.99 5pm
Yesterday (Wednesday) had a very good day. Sorted out a few reports in the morning then went for a meal at the Golf Restaurant and then at 2pm 9 of us went with the German Army to their base at Rajlovac to look over the tanks and weapons. The Germans came up to Vogošća with a minibus and Armoured Personnel Carrier so I rode in the back of that!!! After looking over the tanks etc, we went for coffee and then had a look over the sniper rifles and machine guns etc. We then had a meal in the camp and the boozing then started. It was a great success and all the IPTF ended up giving half the epaulettes and badges etc away!!
Today it was work as usual, I knocked out the “check point policy” report plus several others and had to go to the personnel Officer at R.H.Q. to sign for my “End of Mission” check out papers. It’s not long now is it???
At 11.30am I went to Visoko and collected Del’s leather jacket from “Kuna”. I hope that it fits her, it looks a bit big to me!! Got back from Visoko at about 1.30pm and just hung about there until 4.20pm and then came back to the house. Tonight I’m going to doss about and watch T.V. I’ll be in bed for 10pm tonight!! See Ya!!!
Today it was work as usual, I knocked out the “check point policy” report plus several others and had to go to the personnel Officer at R.H.Q. to sign for my “End of Mission” check out papers. It’s not long now is it???
At 11.30am I went to Visoko and collected Del’s leather jacket from “Kuna”. I hope that it fits her, it looks a bit big to me!! Got back from Visoko at about 1.30pm and just hung about there until 4.20pm and then came back to the house. Tonight I’m going to doss about and watch T.V. I’ll be in bed for 10pm tonight!! See Ya!!!
SUNDAY 7.3.99 6.05pm
On Friday didn’t do much at work again, (I’m winding down now) at night I stayed at home and had a couple of beers and watched T.V. On Saturday went into Butmir and bought a load of CD’s for Steve, 60’s and 70’s music. Went with Zsolt and Markus. After that went into Kula and had a meal. Minced pork stuffed in cabbage leaves and spuds it was delicious. Had a bottle of wine with it. Got back to Vogošća at 2pm and at 3pm went to Sebastian with Gergely and Zsolt, they invited me for a drink because I’d treated them when they were first here. The “session” finished at 10pm and Christoph gave us a lift home. I must admit that I’d had enough, I tried watching T.V. but fell asleep, finally went to bed at 5am for a couple of hours and then went to work feeling dreadful. Tonight I phoned Del up and gave her a list of the CD’s that I’d got for Steve. At the moment there’s a stupid Shirley Temple film on the T.V. and Markus is flat out and snoring on the settee!!
Six more nights to go and then I’m home again – hurray!! See Ya.
Six more nights to go and then I’m home again – hurray!! See Ya.
MONDAY 8.3.99 4.50pm
Constructive day today, went to Norwegian PX and bought Del 200 Dunhill Menthol cigs and 200 Marlborough Menthol cigs. Then to the French PX and got 1000 Marlborough Lights for myself!! Also got a couple of T-shirts!! See Ya!!
7pm Have just finished washing a pair of jeans, uniform shirts and trousers. I’ve also ironed 11 shirts so I’m okay until the end of Mission now!!! I’ve been playing the CD’s I’ve bought for Steve – I must admit some of the Albums are excellent!! I think that I’ll buy some more when I finish CTO!! I’m having a “leaving do” with Martin (Austria) on 27.3.99 (Saturday). I’m hoping that we’ll get paid on the 26th so that I can lay on the food etc!! The Pakistani’s and the two Indonesians + 2 Ghanaian’s that are leaving are having their farewell do on the 18th March – “Sorry chaps but I’m on leave in England!!”. The cheeky sods wanted me to put some money towards their do!!! I laughed!! There was a board today for my job, I don’t know who’s got it yet, I hope that it’s not a “brown shirt” well I’ll be off now, See Ya!!
7pm Have just finished washing a pair of jeans, uniform shirts and trousers. I’ve also ironed 11 shirts so I’m okay until the end of Mission now!!! I’ve been playing the CD’s I’ve bought for Steve – I must admit some of the Albums are excellent!! I think that I’ll buy some more when I finish CTO!! I’m having a “leaving do” with Martin (Austria) on 27.3.99 (Saturday). I’m hoping that we’ll get paid on the 26th so that I can lay on the food etc!! The Pakistani’s and the two Indonesians + 2 Ghanaian’s that are leaving are having their farewell do on the 18th March – “Sorry chaps but I’m on leave in England!!”. The cheeky sods wanted me to put some money towards their do!!! I laughed!! There was a board today for my job, I don’t know who’s got it yet, I hope that it’s not a “brown shirt” well I’ll be off now, See Ya!!
TUESDAY 9.3.99 4.30
Went to bed at 9pm last night and had a good sleep. Dossed about the station today as usual, this afternoon bought a load of beef and veggies and am at the moment preparing a bar-b-que. We’ve ran out of tinfoil for the veggies so I hope that Markus has gone to get some. Having beef steaks, peppers with garlic + mushroom stuffed inside + salad jacket potatoes. Should be okay!! As usual I’ve had indigestion all day but I think that’s because of a rotten diet!! See Ya Later!!!
WEDNESDAY 10.3.99 4.45pm
Had a “barby” last night but I felt grotty and ended up going to bed at 8.45pm. Today I’ve been sneezing a lot and feel heavy headed. I hope that it’s not the flu!!! Something must be up, I don’t even feel like a beer!! Nothing happening at work, I’m winding down for my CTO and end of Mission now!! See Ya!!
THURSDAY 11.3.99 6.03pm
Had a couple of Bacardi and cokes last night and a bit of a barby (nothing excessive). Went to bed at 10pm and woke up at 3am with the trots!!! Felt a bit grotty and light headed today but went to see Muhammed and Zdenko at Ilijaš. Had ćevapi with them and then baklava (sweet cake) and coffee. This evening I’ve flung all the uniform I don’t want into a plastic bin liner, I’ll give that lot to Ilijaš. I’ve also packed Del’s jacket, a load of CD’s and 1400 cigs into my big bag for Saturday!! I hope that I don’t get stopped at customs, they’ll slaughter me!! I’ve also thrown in a load of underwear etc that I won’t need!!
Tonight it's beefsteak on the barby again, I hope that my stomach’s up to it!! The weather is steadily improving, it was sunny today but a little windy. That’s about it for now, I’m going to have a mug of tea – definitely no “hard stuff” for me!!! See Ya!!
Tonight it's beefsteak on the barby again, I hope that my stomach’s up to it!! The weather is steadily improving, it was sunny today but a little windy. That’s about it for now, I’m going to have a mug of tea – definitely no “hard stuff” for me!!! See Ya!!
FRIDAY 12.3.99 4.30pm
Had my tea and barby last night plus 1 ½ litres of water, finally went to bed at 9.45pm and slept like a log until 6.15am this morning. Baloch was missing for work, it turned out that he’d got burst haemorrhoids and took himself to the German Military Hospital at Rajlovac last night without telling anyone. Apart from that the day got worse and I was really glad to finish work this afternoon. I did see Zdenko and Vehid at Ilijaš at lunch time and had a drink of wine with them. Must start packing soon, I’ve done it once but I think that I’ll have to change bags with all the stuff I’ve got to take home!! Right, I’ll get off now and start.
– (It’s great to be going home again – even if I am broke!!!).
See Ya on the 25th March!!!!!!!
– (It’s great to be going home again – even if I am broke!!!).
See Ya on the 25th March!!!!!!!
SUNDAY 28.3.99 5.35pm
What a saga, set off last Wednesday 24th to Shirley’s in Ruislip, forgot my I/D and only had 10 DEM. The plane was late, took off at 5.30pm on Thursday. Landed in Zagreb at 10pm. There were no flights to Sarajevo because of the war so stayed the night in a hotel care of Croatian Airways and then was supposed to pay for a bus from Zagreb to Sarajevo. I had no cash. In the end I managed to locate UN “Camp Pleso” and got a UN shuttle bus. Set off at 9am and got to Vogošća at 7.30pm. Yesterday I had my “leaving do” but was still very tired. Today I did nothing at work except doss about. Tonight is an early night for me!!
TUESDAY 30.3.99 7.15pm
Had an early night on Sunday, on Monday did nothing at work. My I/D still hasn’t arrived yet (I left it at home!!). Del posted it last Thursday. Last night I had a few beers in the house plus a takeaway Chinese meal, it was excellent. Today I got my pay and bought a pair of Timberland shoes at the Norwegian PX. Tonight’s going to be an early night again!!! See Ya!!
PS 7 more nights left including today!!!!
PS 7 more nights left including today!!!!