October
THURSDAY 1.10.98 8.36pm
Yesterday I didn’t have a lot to do so in the morning I popped up to Ilijaš local police station and said hello to Muhammed. He was in a bit of a hurry so only stayed for a couple of minutes. Also met Vehid and promised to get him some cigs from the PX. He gave me 100 DM so I swanned off to the French PX and found that it was closed. (Last day of the month and they were stock taking). Went back to Ilijaš to tell Vehid that I’d get them him the next day and ended up at restaurant Diana in Ilijaš drinking Laško beer with him. That was at 2.30pm and I was with a Language Assistant who was “on loan” to us for four hours by the name of Roshid. Got back to Vogošća at about 7pm, I still don’t know how!!! Fell asleep in my house on the settee and woke up at 6am this morning.
Today I took Vehid his cigs + change and then went to the A.S. Supermarket at Sarajevo and bought the mince etc for the “chilli party” tomorrow. After work I spent about 3 hours preparing it!! It’s HOT!!!
Forgot to say, yesterday Markus came back with a dog. It’s a mongrel pup and is settling quite nicely. Yesterday it was a bit afraid but it’s finding its feet now. We keep it outside the house but it’s quite comfortable. Next doors kids think it’s great, they keep playing with it. We’ve also got a mouse loose about the place, I’ve seen it a couple of times now so we’ll have to get some traps and sort it out!! You daren’t leave any food laying about the place with that thing!! Tomorrow night is the “chilli party” so I’m going to get an early night tonight so I’m nice and fresh for the onslaught!! I’ve just ran out of indigestion tablets and of course I need one right now!! That’s because I’ve been sampling the chilli as I’ve been cooking it!! It contains 2 ½ Kilos of minced beef, loads of chilli powder, red beans, peppers, onions, tomatoes, (tinned and fresh) paprika pepper and anything else I could lay my hands on. Tomorrow I’ll do the rice. See you for now!!!
Today I took Vehid his cigs + change and then went to the A.S. Supermarket at Sarajevo and bought the mince etc for the “chilli party” tomorrow. After work I spent about 3 hours preparing it!! It’s HOT!!!
Forgot to say, yesterday Markus came back with a dog. It’s a mongrel pup and is settling quite nicely. Yesterday it was a bit afraid but it’s finding its feet now. We keep it outside the house but it’s quite comfortable. Next doors kids think it’s great, they keep playing with it. We’ve also got a mouse loose about the place, I’ve seen it a couple of times now so we’ll have to get some traps and sort it out!! You daren’t leave any food laying about the place with that thing!! Tomorrow night is the “chilli party” so I’m going to get an early night tonight so I’m nice and fresh for the onslaught!! I’ve just ran out of indigestion tablets and of course I need one right now!! That’s because I’ve been sampling the chilli as I’ve been cooking it!! It contains 2 ½ Kilos of minced beef, loads of chilli powder, red beans, peppers, onions, tomatoes, (tinned and fresh) paprika pepper and anything else I could lay my hands on. Tomorrow I’ll do the rice. See you for now!!!
SATURDAY 3.10.98 5.20pm
Started the day off yesterday with a cup of coffee and into work at 8am after having an early night. Was woken up at 7am (2.10.98) by a large earth tremor. I was laying in bed and it felt as though a train was going through the room. I felt it sweep over and all the house shook. We had a smaller one a few days ago as well!!
Didn’t do a great deal yesterday. Finished work at 4pm and then prepared for the party, Zdenko and Muhammed came at 4pm but then they left for Ilijaš PD stating that they’d return at about 6pm. Meanwhile I cooked a load of rice and heated the x3 pans of chilli up. Also started drinking beer at 4pm!! Mladen came at 6pm followed by Zdenko, Muhammed and Vehid. After that Aleksandra, Olivera and everyone else arrived including Bernd from the German SFOR and his colleagues. It was a good bash and I left the party for bed at about midnight. Bernd stayed the night and got a patrol to pick him up at 6am this morning. I never heard him leave but he sure can snore!!
Spent today doing nothing at work. Had a Human Rights Meeting at Regional HQ Sarajevo at 11am so before that I cleaned the house and washed up all the crap!! (5.30pm) The power has just gone off for the second time today, hope it’s not off for too long as I want to pack my kit ready for CTO in the morning.
At present there’s a wedding party going off down the road and they’re playing very loud music. The power cut doesn’t seem to be affecting them!!! All today I’ve had raving indigestion, can’t think why!! 5.33pm – that’s better, the power's on again! Markus is on nights tonight so he’s gone to bed for an hour. He’ll run me to the airport in the morning at 5.45am. This is my fifth CTO so after this I’ve only got another four to go and that’s it. I saw quite a few Brits from the last October contingent in the French PX today getting in the last of the shopping before they leave on the 7th of this month. I don’t think that any of them are happy at the thought of leaving! It’s a bit cool at present but not too bad. I’d better leave now, stoke up the fire and get packing.
Didn’t do a great deal yesterday. Finished work at 4pm and then prepared for the party, Zdenko and Muhammed came at 4pm but then they left for Ilijaš PD stating that they’d return at about 6pm. Meanwhile I cooked a load of rice and heated the x3 pans of chilli up. Also started drinking beer at 4pm!! Mladen came at 6pm followed by Zdenko, Muhammed and Vehid. After that Aleksandra, Olivera and everyone else arrived including Bernd from the German SFOR and his colleagues. It was a good bash and I left the party for bed at about midnight. Bernd stayed the night and got a patrol to pick him up at 6am this morning. I never heard him leave but he sure can snore!!
Spent today doing nothing at work. Had a Human Rights Meeting at Regional HQ Sarajevo at 11am so before that I cleaned the house and washed up all the crap!! (5.30pm) The power has just gone off for the second time today, hope it’s not off for too long as I want to pack my kit ready for CTO in the morning.
At present there’s a wedding party going off down the road and they’re playing very loud music. The power cut doesn’t seem to be affecting them!!! All today I’ve had raving indigestion, can’t think why!! 5.33pm – that’s better, the power's on again! Markus is on nights tonight so he’s gone to bed for an hour. He’ll run me to the airport in the morning at 5.45am. This is my fifth CTO so after this I’ve only got another four to go and that’s it. I saw quite a few Brits from the last October contingent in the French PX today getting in the last of the shopping before they leave on the 7th of this month. I don’t think that any of them are happy at the thought of leaving! It’s a bit cool at present but not too bad. I’d better leave now, stoke up the fire and get packing.
TUESDAY 13.10.98 2.40pm
Arrived back in Sarajevo at 6.20am today. Originally left home at 2pm yesterday and drove to Heathrow with Del, Sarah and Brian. Got to Heathrow at about 4pm and said my goodbyes. Then, had to wait until 6.55pm to board the aircraft and took off at about 7.20pm. Arrived in Zagreb at 10.10pm local time (one hour ahead) and had to go out of the Transit Lounge as it was closed for the night. I sat all night in the airport and then had to go through all the formalities of coming back in again. Got no sleep all night. We took off at 5.20am and as soon as I got off the plane at Sarajevo I had a cup of coffee. I went to phone Vogošća for a lift but there were no pay phones, only the card ones. Eventually a member of airport staff lent me his phone card and I scrounged a lift from Zsolt.
Spent all day in civvy clothes, the bloody cleaner and her sister were here when I got home so I thought “sod it” and stayed in civvies all day! It’s pouring with rain at the moment. This morning I went to Ilijaš and planted some plastic dog muck in Zdenko’s office. He thought that it was great!! I also gave them a couple of packets of sugar with insects in them. They loved that as well (Muhammed + Zdenko). Came back to Vogošća at 1.30pm and had a couple of Bratwurst with Markus (very tasty) I’m now very tired and done in so probably after I’ve made the fire up. See Ya.
Spent all day in civvy clothes, the bloody cleaner and her sister were here when I got home so I thought “sod it” and stayed in civvies all day! It’s pouring with rain at the moment. This morning I went to Ilijaš and planted some plastic dog muck in Zdenko’s office. He thought that it was great!! I also gave them a couple of packets of sugar with insects in them. They loved that as well (Muhammed + Zdenko). Came back to Vogošća at 1.30pm and had a couple of Bratwurst with Markus (very tasty) I’m now very tired and done in so probably after I’ve made the fire up. See Ya.
THURSDAY 15.10.98 5.35pm
Finished work at the usual time today (4pm). Yesterday I worked 8am-4pm but had my lazy head on and didn’t do much. Had a couple of beers at lunch time in the house and prepared chicken for dinner. Went to bed at 8pm yesterday and slept like a log! Today 15.10.98 first thing I did was my CTO application. Have applied for 12th-17th November that will then put me in time for x-mas leave. At 9.30am met Muhammed and Zdenko at Ilijaš. Was with Stefan and interpreter Dragana. Muhammed gave me a plaque and Zdenko a Bosnian flag so I’m okay for souvenirs!! We then went to Visoko and I ordered a good quality leather jacket costing 400 DM. I pick it up on 26th or 27th when I get paid. This morning we had the first frost of the winter. It was sunny but fresh outside. I’ve got the fire on again going full pelt. We really must buy some wood soon. The phone bill also came the other day = 360 DM!!! I’ll give Markus 200 DM towards it as I’ve been on the phone as well!
SATURDAY 17.10.98 3.50pm
Missed yesterday due to having a little drink. Nothing much happened. Started work at 8am and finished at 4pm then had a few gins with Markus in the house. Phoned Del up at about 11pm local time (10pm in England) and found out that all’s okay at home. Yesterday I also applied for the Station Commander’s job. I don’t think that I’ll get it but I don’t want it to go to an “outsider”.
Today the weather has been brilliant. We’ve had sunshine all day and I’ve done just about nothing. This morning I popped to Ilijaš and collected the local bulletin of what’s happened in the last 24 hours, after dropping it off for translation at the station I went to Sarajevo to the A.S. Market and bought some beef + bread and then popped into Vogošća Market and bought vegetables for a stew. I got back at 12.15pm and since then have been drinking beer and preparing the stew!!!
Zdenko phoned from Ilijaš at about 1pm, he’s got something for me. I’ll see him tomorrow. Unfortunately I have no Language Assistant today so I’m a little bit stuffed even if I wanted to work!! The Station Commander Alain Timbou is still on leave at the moment so the morale has rocketed in the station. He’s a bit of a prick and will only work to rules and regulations which is a pain in the backside!! If I’m made up I’ll make sure that everyone works but I’ll also ensure that we get unofficial time off as well!!! (The big bone of contention is “travel days”. When I first came we got one travel day at the start of CTO and one at the end. These have now been taken off us, but only in Sarajevo Region. The other Regions are still working with travel days!!). I know that Muhammed (Chief of Police at Ilijaš) and Safet (Station Commander Vogošća) both want me to be Station Commander instead of that miserable bastard Timbou!!
By the look of it I’ll have to get another book soon, it’s amazing how much crap one can write. For example today I’ve done 202 days in the Mission – not bad eh!! That means that I’ve earned 18.180 US Dollars (where’s it all gone)!!! I’m dreading going back to work in England, Nottingham. Life will be so different and routine after this!! Back to basics: With all the stew that I’ve made today will have to invite Aleksandra who’s on the afternoon shift to eat it. She usually drinks most of my gin as well!! I’ll say one thing for Alex, she can talk the hind legs off a donkey but she’s really a good person and with a brilliant sense of humour (sick)!!! I’ll get off now.
See Ya!!
Today the weather has been brilliant. We’ve had sunshine all day and I’ve done just about nothing. This morning I popped to Ilijaš and collected the local bulletin of what’s happened in the last 24 hours, after dropping it off for translation at the station I went to Sarajevo to the A.S. Market and bought some beef + bread and then popped into Vogošća Market and bought vegetables for a stew. I got back at 12.15pm and since then have been drinking beer and preparing the stew!!!
Zdenko phoned from Ilijaš at about 1pm, he’s got something for me. I’ll see him tomorrow. Unfortunately I have no Language Assistant today so I’m a little bit stuffed even if I wanted to work!! The Station Commander Alain Timbou is still on leave at the moment so the morale has rocketed in the station. He’s a bit of a prick and will only work to rules and regulations which is a pain in the backside!! If I’m made up I’ll make sure that everyone works but I’ll also ensure that we get unofficial time off as well!!! (The big bone of contention is “travel days”. When I first came we got one travel day at the start of CTO and one at the end. These have now been taken off us, but only in Sarajevo Region. The other Regions are still working with travel days!!). I know that Muhammed (Chief of Police at Ilijaš) and Safet (Station Commander Vogošća) both want me to be Station Commander instead of that miserable bastard Timbou!!
By the look of it I’ll have to get another book soon, it’s amazing how much crap one can write. For example today I’ve done 202 days in the Mission – not bad eh!! That means that I’ve earned 18.180 US Dollars (where’s it all gone)!!! I’m dreading going back to work in England, Nottingham. Life will be so different and routine after this!! Back to basics: With all the stew that I’ve made today will have to invite Aleksandra who’s on the afternoon shift to eat it. She usually drinks most of my gin as well!! I’ll say one thing for Alex, she can talk the hind legs off a donkey but she’s really a good person and with a brilliant sense of humour (sick)!!! I’ll get off now.
See Ya!!
MONDAY 19.10.98 6.10pm
On Saturday night had the stew that I made and a few beers (honestly). Woke up on Sunday feeling dreadful, I was throwing up and had the trots all day. I got into work at 8.30am but couldn’t stay there. Eventually I alternated between bed and the toilet. Today I feel a lot better but still a bit “iffy”. I should have gone to Višegrad about 2 hours drive away for a meeting but was just a little too dodgy to go. Instead Stefan went and I did a few odd jobs in Vogošća, nothing much to shout about. One of them was an explosion and one was injured. It turned out that the injured person had thrown some rubbish onto a fire and included in it was a pressurised spray paint can!! It blew up injuring his stomach!!! That makes a change from hand grenades going off!!
The weathers been good again today but it gets cold at night. I’ve just lit the fire and put some washing on. With the fire it should be dry in a couple of hours. Just over three weeks to go before CTO again!! With ordering this leather jacket I’m going to be broke this leave!! Hey-ho!! There’s nothing on the T.V. tonight by the looks of it but going out is not feasible either as I’m down to my last 110 DM and don’t get paid until the 25th!! At least I’ve got 300 cigs left so I should be okay!! Well I’ll be off after that lot of moans – see ya!!
The weathers been good again today but it gets cold at night. I’ve just lit the fire and put some washing on. With the fire it should be dry in a couple of hours. Just over three weeks to go before CTO again!! With ordering this leather jacket I’m going to be broke this leave!! Hey-ho!! There’s nothing on the T.V. tonight by the looks of it but going out is not feasible either as I’m down to my last 110 DM and don’t get paid until the 25th!! At least I’ve got 300 cigs left so I should be okay!! Well I’ll be off after that lot of moans – see ya!!
TUESDAY 20.10.98 4.27pm (Jenny's Birthday)
Got up early today because of the cleaning lady coming in at 7.30am!! It’s a real pain in the bum and I’m beginning to hate Tuesdays!! Last night I just dossed about the house drinking mineral water and watching television, went to bed at 12.30am. This morning I popped into Ilijaš and saw Vehid and Zdenko. Zdenko gave me a litre of Rakia and a cup of coffee so things weren’t too bad. It’s been raining cats and dogs all day with intermittent thunder and lightning. It’s still raining now. When I came in I put the fire on again. (Must buy some wood soon). We’ve got a little stockpile of it downstairs but it won’t last the winter through. Also last night I did a load of washing and ironing – how’s that for domesticity!!
Today is Jenny’s birthday, I must phone home and wish her happy birthday. (I’ll probably get a mouthful of abuse from her!!). Workwise there’s not a lot doing at the moment in Vogošća or Ilijaš. There were four burglaries in Vogošća last night but that’s about it!!! As usual I’ve got no language assistant, we’re short again. If I want to do anything I have to pinch the L.A. from one of the Station Advisors at Ilijaš or Vogošća. The only thing I’ve done today apart from one report re criminal damage to a mental defectives house in Vogošća was play solitaire on the computer!! Markus is going to the Norwegian PX in a minute so I’ll go with him for the ride!! Got back at 6.45pm after buying a bottle of Gordon’s Gin (19 DEM) 1 litre., then dossed about the house watching TV and went to bed at 11pm!!
Today is Jenny’s birthday, I must phone home and wish her happy birthday. (I’ll probably get a mouthful of abuse from her!!). Workwise there’s not a lot doing at the moment in Vogošća or Ilijaš. There were four burglaries in Vogošća last night but that’s about it!!! As usual I’ve got no language assistant, we’re short again. If I want to do anything I have to pinch the L.A. from one of the Station Advisors at Ilijaš or Vogošća. The only thing I’ve done today apart from one report re criminal damage to a mental defectives house in Vogošća was play solitaire on the computer!! Markus is going to the Norwegian PX in a minute so I’ll go with him for the ride!! Got back at 6.45pm after buying a bottle of Gordon’s Gin (19 DEM) 1 litre., then dossed about the house watching TV and went to bed at 11pm!!
WEDNESDAY 21.10.98 6.33pm
Up at 7.30am this morning, went into work at 8am and although I had a language assistant (Dragana) there were no vehicles. (3 are off the road at the moment). I dossed about till 10am then got hold of the Toyota Pick-Up intending to go to Vogošća on a couple of enquiries re arson and x4 burglaries that I saw on the daily bulletin. Instead I had to go and fill the car up with fuel in Sarajevo. Fareed (Pakistan) had been driving it last and didn’t bother to re-fuel it, there really are some idle swine’s here!! I eventually got my enquiries done and went back to the station and did a few reports on them. They are called Incident Reports (Increp’s) and have to go on a computer system called “Lotus Notes” in a special format. Everyone is supposed to be able to do them but when the Asian, African and Arab contingencies do them they always make a total mess so I do the lot nowadays!! It ends up being easier!! Alain Timbou our beloved Station Commander came back from CTO today at 12.00 hours so everybody is pissed off about that. Luckily he leaves the Mission next month (November) so things should improve all round! To date we’ve heard nothing about boards for all those who’ve applied for his job. There’s a very strong rumour that the “French Mafia” at HQ is working again and already a French person has “unofficially” got the job!! That’s the UN for you – it stinks!!
At about 11.45am Zdenko phoned up inviting me to go to lunch with him at Ilijaš. I had to decline because of lack of vehicles but maybe I’ll get there tomorrow. The weather today was sunny and warm but now that the suns gone down it’s quite cold. (The fire’s on again). I’m burning wood like it’s going out of fashion, I really must get some more soon. At about 12.30pm I went with Markus, Gergely, Zsolt and Alain to “Sebastian” down the road for a pizza, it cost 9 Dem with a Laško beer!! Finished work at 4pm and dossed about the house doing nothing until deciding to write this. Markus has gone out to Ferdi’s, a friend of his to have a couple of beers and watch football on his T.V. I was invited but feel too tired to go boozing. He’s leaving soon and I’m also invited to his going away party on Friday. Last night I phoned home at about 8.30pm and got Catherine, I forgot Del was at college!!! I’ll get off now and stoke the fire up. See Ya!!!
8.55pm, Have just phoned home and got Jenny, I asked for mum and got the usual sarcasm, how am I supposed to know that Del’s at college Tuesdays + Wednesdays now!!! Before I could ask if Jenny had had a nice birthday she hung up on me!!! Baloch has just phoned as well, he bought a new V.C.R at the Norwegian PX and the remote control and leads are missing. He’s going to come round to borrow my leads!! At about 9.50pm I tuned the radio in and got a station called Merlin (English) they kept giving a phone number out to call them 0171 344 5801 so I did!! I told them that the reception was excellent and that I was in Vogošća – Sarajevo with the International Police Task Force. I was thanked for my call and a minute later my name was mentioned on the air wishing me good luck and to “wrap up” to keep warm!! At 10.10pm I lost the signal completely. It was just a mush!!
11.45pm Tried to phone Del – engaged – 11.58pm still engaged. (Local time in England one hour behind). Managed to get through in the end after sipping a load of gin + then went to bed!!
At about 11.45am Zdenko phoned up inviting me to go to lunch with him at Ilijaš. I had to decline because of lack of vehicles but maybe I’ll get there tomorrow. The weather today was sunny and warm but now that the suns gone down it’s quite cold. (The fire’s on again). I’m burning wood like it’s going out of fashion, I really must get some more soon. At about 12.30pm I went with Markus, Gergely, Zsolt and Alain to “Sebastian” down the road for a pizza, it cost 9 Dem with a Laško beer!! Finished work at 4pm and dossed about the house doing nothing until deciding to write this. Markus has gone out to Ferdi’s, a friend of his to have a couple of beers and watch football on his T.V. I was invited but feel too tired to go boozing. He’s leaving soon and I’m also invited to his going away party on Friday. Last night I phoned home at about 8.30pm and got Catherine, I forgot Del was at college!!! I’ll get off now and stoke the fire up. See Ya!!!
8.55pm, Have just phoned home and got Jenny, I asked for mum and got the usual sarcasm, how am I supposed to know that Del’s at college Tuesdays + Wednesdays now!!! Before I could ask if Jenny had had a nice birthday she hung up on me!!! Baloch has just phoned as well, he bought a new V.C.R at the Norwegian PX and the remote control and leads are missing. He’s going to come round to borrow my leads!! At about 9.50pm I tuned the radio in and got a station called Merlin (English) they kept giving a phone number out to call them 0171 344 5801 so I did!! I told them that the reception was excellent and that I was in Vogošća – Sarajevo with the International Police Task Force. I was thanked for my call and a minute later my name was mentioned on the air wishing me good luck and to “wrap up” to keep warm!! At 10.10pm I lost the signal completely. It was just a mush!!
11.45pm Tried to phone Del – engaged – 11.58pm still engaged. (Local time in England one hour behind). Managed to get through in the end after sipping a load of gin + then went to bed!!
THURSDAY 22.10.98 5.55pm
Woke up at 8.20am this morning and got dressed and shaved in a rush!! There wasn’t much doing today. I took Dragana to Sarajevo to Regional HQ so that she could put a leave request in. We then went to Main HQ and collected Selma’s pay and then to the French PX. Dragana wanted some perfume, whisky and sunglasses!!! It cost her 170 DEM!!! Got back to Vogošća at 12.30pm and then went with Markus back to Sarajevo to the workshops to pick up the Toyota Land Cruiser that had the clutch fixed. On the way back I noticed that the radio was dead and the speedometer was also broken!! That’s the UN for you!! At 2pm I went with Dragana to Ilijaš and had a meal with Muhammed and Zdenko at Tiho Noći restaurant (Zdenko paid). Got back to Vogošća at 4.15pm and then took Dragana home to Lukavica (Serb side). I eventually got home at 5pm and had a cup of tea (Čaj) in the local language!! Weatherwise it was misty this morning but sunny during the afternoon. Tonight I’m going to have an early night ready for the party at Ferdi and Thomas’s place in Ilidža tomorrow.
FRIDAY 23.10.98 6.50pm
There were no cars today so I couldn’t do much in the way of work!! I just hung about the station for most of the time. I’ve just had a shower and got changed ready to go out to this party with Markus. No doubt I’ll have a headache in the morning!!! On the 25th it’s Muhammed’s birthday followed by Zdenko’s on the 4th November!!! I’ll have to get them a small present. Yesterday when driving the Toyota Land Cruiser I found that the speedo was broken so I took it off the road and wrote a report stating approx. how many Kilometres I had travelled. Today I saw one of the Arabs driving it so I took it off the road again and had to do a report for him as well!!! This time the keys have been hidden to stop the other idiots getting in. They think that if the engine works then it’s okay!!! See Ya!!
SATURDAY 24.10.98 1.27pm
I’m on my lunch break at the moment. Last night I went with Markus to the party, arrived at 7.20pm and stayed until about 1am. Met Jeof and Martin (Austria) there and had a few beers but didn’t overdo it. When I went into work this morning found out that I’ve been “short listed” for an interview for Station Commanders job. Have got the board tomorrow (Sunday 25th) at 2pm. Also in the running are Gergely, Baloch and several others from different stations so I’m not expecting anything! This morning I found that the car had no fuel in it so I went to Tito Barracks first and had an “English” breakfast at Echoes at 9am and then fuelled the vehicle at 10am when the fuel station opened. Again, there’s nothing doing, if it stays like this they’ll be closing Vogošća down and transferring us all elsewhere!!
The weather was cold and misty this morning but it’s quite pleasant now. 18 more days to go before CTO – just thought that I’d put that in!!! Time now is 5.50pm. After going back to the station after lunch I just dossed about. The clocks go back at 02.00 on Sunday so we’ll get an extra hour in bed. (I bet that some of the Jordanian, Indian + Pakistani’s come into work at 7am in the morning!!!). For the past few days I’ve felt headachy – even with no booze it comes on, hope it’s nothing serious, blood pressure etc!! It’s getting cold again, I’ve put the electric fire and wood fire on and am having a mug of tea to keep warm!! Another thought has hit me re the Station Commanders job – if I get it!! Only the Station Commander or Deputy Station Commander can be on leave at the same time and seeing as Baloch is going on leave before me that means that I’m not going to get Christmas off!! We’ll see how it goes tomorrow!! In another five days I’d have done seven months in the Mission!! Time really does fly.
The weather was cold and misty this morning but it’s quite pleasant now. 18 more days to go before CTO – just thought that I’d put that in!!! Time now is 5.50pm. After going back to the station after lunch I just dossed about. The clocks go back at 02.00 on Sunday so we’ll get an extra hour in bed. (I bet that some of the Jordanian, Indian + Pakistani’s come into work at 7am in the morning!!!). For the past few days I’ve felt headachy – even with no booze it comes on, hope it’s nothing serious, blood pressure etc!! It’s getting cold again, I’ve put the electric fire and wood fire on and am having a mug of tea to keep warm!! Another thought has hit me re the Station Commanders job – if I get it!! Only the Station Commander or Deputy Station Commander can be on leave at the same time and seeing as Baloch is going on leave before me that means that I’m not going to get Christmas off!! We’ll see how it goes tomorrow!! In another five days I’d have done seven months in the Mission!! Time really does fly.
SUNDAY 25.10.98 8.12pm
Had a good sleep with the clocks going back, got up refreshed and had sirnica for breakfast with joghurt. Went to the board re Station Commander at 2pm. It lasted for about 5 mins per candidate (x4 of us). Will have to wait now and see what happens. Was invited by Bernd to the German camp at Rajlovac for a meal today with Markus. We got there at 5pm and ate like pigs. The meal in the German Army Camp was excellent. Plenty of choice and as much as you like. (Not like the British Army). I felt a bit of a plonker being the only Brit surrounded by German Soldiers. After that we went into the bar and had a few beers, it was nice. Markus had to leave at 7.30pm to phone home so I’m now sitting in the house whilst Markus is on the phone. On Friday we’re having a “Chilli Party” so I should imagine that Bernd will be here for that!! Weatherwise it was cold and misty this morning and raining in the afternoon. It’s still drizzling now but quite warm, we’ve got the electric fire on but not the wood fire at the moment. I must say that after eating all that pork in the German camp and then drinking beer I just about made it to the toilet!!!
I think that I’ll go and get a beer now. See Ya!!
SEE OTHER BOOK
I think that I’ll go and get a beer now. See Ya!!
SEE OTHER BOOK
MONDAY 26.10.98 5.45pm Book 2
Up at 7am this morning and had a mug of tea. Thought that it was pay day today so I shot down to Sarajevo Main UN HQ to get in the pay queue and found that they’re not paying out until Tuesday/ Wednesday. After that I went with Markus to Croatian Airlines and booked a flight home.
Depart 0700 11.11.98 and arrive Heathrow 1100.
Come back from Heathrow 12.50pm and finally land at Sarajevo at 2100 on 17.11.98.
The cost has gone from 709 DM last month to 662 this month!!! Got back to Vogošća at 1200 and ended up with a splitting headache so I went to the house and sat down for a while waiting for the paracetamol to work. After that I went out with Stefan and Olivera and had a drive round the Orthodox cemeteries in our area!
On 1.11.98 it’s “All Saints Day” (Svi Sveti) and a lot of Serbs will come into the area to tidy up the graves etc. There will have to be extra patrols etc to prevent any trouble. So far have heard nothing about the board I sat yesterday for the Station Commanders job. I really don’t care who gets it so long as it’s not the Indian guy from IPTF Kula!! At the moment, including Alain who’s leaving, there are 20 people and only five of us are Europeans!!! The two Hungarians here have already said that if the Indian gets it they will leave!! Markus has stated that he’s going to write a report as well re the ethnic mix at the station!!!
Tonight we’re off out to the Texas Bar in Sarajevo for a Mexican meal but unfortunately the landlords son has come with a mate of his and they’re doing some sort of work downstairs so we’ll have to hang on for them to leave!!! Last night we had a good meal at Rajlovac camp with the German SFOR (whoops, I think that I mentioned that in my last entry!!). It’s been cloudy and overcast again today, I reckon that we’ll get snow soon. 16 more nights to go and then it’s off to jolly old Blighty again for a few days. Yesterday whilst at RHQ I met my new contingent Commander, he works in the Duty Room at RHQ and I promised that I’d see him on Wednesday and take him out but unfortunately it’s pay day (Tues-Wed) so I’ll have to cancel. I’ve also got to go to Visoko and pick up my leather jacket! When I get paid I’m going to end up paying out a fortune. I’ll have about 300 DM for pocket money because of the jacket – hope Del’s understanding!!!
Time now is 6.12pm and the Mullah is calling the faithful to prayer at the Mosque! It’s pitch black outside and five more months to go in the Mission before going on holiday – oh well, see Ya!
Depart 0700 11.11.98 and arrive Heathrow 1100.
Come back from Heathrow 12.50pm and finally land at Sarajevo at 2100 on 17.11.98.
The cost has gone from 709 DM last month to 662 this month!!! Got back to Vogošća at 1200 and ended up with a splitting headache so I went to the house and sat down for a while waiting for the paracetamol to work. After that I went out with Stefan and Olivera and had a drive round the Orthodox cemeteries in our area!
On 1.11.98 it’s “All Saints Day” (Svi Sveti) and a lot of Serbs will come into the area to tidy up the graves etc. There will have to be extra patrols etc to prevent any trouble. So far have heard nothing about the board I sat yesterday for the Station Commanders job. I really don’t care who gets it so long as it’s not the Indian guy from IPTF Kula!! At the moment, including Alain who’s leaving, there are 20 people and only five of us are Europeans!!! The two Hungarians here have already said that if the Indian gets it they will leave!! Markus has stated that he’s going to write a report as well re the ethnic mix at the station!!!
Tonight we’re off out to the Texas Bar in Sarajevo for a Mexican meal but unfortunately the landlords son has come with a mate of his and they’re doing some sort of work downstairs so we’ll have to hang on for them to leave!!! Last night we had a good meal at Rajlovac camp with the German SFOR (whoops, I think that I mentioned that in my last entry!!). It’s been cloudy and overcast again today, I reckon that we’ll get snow soon. 16 more nights to go and then it’s off to jolly old Blighty again for a few days. Yesterday whilst at RHQ I met my new contingent Commander, he works in the Duty Room at RHQ and I promised that I’d see him on Wednesday and take him out but unfortunately it’s pay day (Tues-Wed) so I’ll have to cancel. I’ve also got to go to Visoko and pick up my leather jacket! When I get paid I’m going to end up paying out a fortune. I’ll have about 300 DM for pocket money because of the jacket – hope Del’s understanding!!!
Time now is 6.12pm and the Mullah is calling the faithful to prayer at the Mosque! It’s pitch black outside and five more months to go in the Mission before going on holiday – oh well, see Ya!
Tuesday 27.10.98 6.25pm
Came back from Sarajevo at about 1.30am this morning. We got to the Texas Bar at about 7pm and had a few Mexican Beers (Corona). Thomas and Ferdi then came in and we had a meal – Mexican, it was very nice. Whilst eating, Annette Pipping from RHQ came in and congratulated me!! I said “what for” and she said that I’d got the board!! I’ll believe it when I see it in writing. I’ve not told anyone at the station yet! After the meal we had Tequila, Margarita’s, Sambuca and various other shots. We then went to the new Irish Bar and also the original Irish Bar. By this time I was drinking pints of Guinness and getting legless!! Went straight to bed after getting in and was up and out by 7.45am this morning. First I went with Stefan and collected the pay for six of us, I then went and paid for my airline ticket and then went to Visoko and got my brand new leather jacket, it’s very nice – 400 DEM!!
Got back to Vogošća at around 1.15pm and hung about the station feeling a little under the weather!! I’ve got the wood fire and an electric radiator on at the moment, it’s turned rather cold. Have just phoned Del up and had a long chat re holidays and money. Have got the grand total of 4,100 U.S. Dollars in the bank, that will just about pay the balance on the holiday to the States then I’ve got to provide the pocket money!! I calculated that between November and February inclusive I’ll have 5,290 USD. At 1.70 to the pound its £3,111.76p. We’ve already got all the theme park tickets so it’s quite good. AND I’ve not included the 1,390 USD cheque I collected today!! Fifteen more days to go and then I’m on leave again (whoopee). I really must start thinking seriously of Christmas leave for my free flight before I lose it!! I’ve also got to start counting the rest of my pennies as well.
Got back to Vogošća at around 1.15pm and hung about the station feeling a little under the weather!! I’ve got the wood fire and an electric radiator on at the moment, it’s turned rather cold. Have just phoned Del up and had a long chat re holidays and money. Have got the grand total of 4,100 U.S. Dollars in the bank, that will just about pay the balance on the holiday to the States then I’ve got to provide the pocket money!! I calculated that between November and February inclusive I’ll have 5,290 USD. At 1.70 to the pound its £3,111.76p. We’ve already got all the theme park tickets so it’s quite good. AND I’ve not included the 1,390 USD cheque I collected today!! Fifteen more days to go and then I’m on leave again (whoopee). I really must start thinking seriously of Christmas leave for my free flight before I lose it!! I’ve also got to start counting the rest of my pennies as well.
WEDNESDAY 28.10.98 5.40pm
Watched T.V. until about 12.15am and then went to bed last night. Markus had gone out to see Ferdi and Thomas, I stayed at home because I was dog tired. He came in again at about 11pm with a load of beer, coke, orange, dried and tinned food and a barbeque!!! Today I did the weekly Human Rights report and then drove round my new British Contingent Commander Supt Jim Loughlin from Manchester. He works in the Duty Room at RHQ and hasn’t been round the area yet so I showed him Vogošća, Ilijaš and Kula. We had a meal at Podlugovi at Tiho Noći restaurant and then bimbled about. I finally got back to Vogošća at about 2pm. There’s still no official news re the board but I’ve heard that Baloch has got the Station Commanders job and I’m Deputy Station Commander. Oh well, nothing ventured etc!!! I also saw Mike Holdsworth today and requested my free flight from 19.12.98 to 29.12.98 for Christmas. I’ll have to live rather “frugally” to say the least if I want pocket money that month!!
6.50pm Have just stocked up the fire, fed the dog, hung some washing up and I’m now having a gin and tonic, and playing a 60’s CD on Zsolt’s CD player!! Cheers!!
Markus has got his contingents “medal parade” today so he’ll be back late tonight, no doubt in a legless state!! For the past few days I’ve hardly had a pint (apart from that time in the Texas Bar etc) but I’ve been getting really nagging headaches to the lower back of my head. Again today (after no booze) it came on at about 8.30am. I think that it’s because I keep looking at the computer and then taking my glasses off but I’m not sure!! Anyway – TWO WEEKS today and I’ll be home again! I like it out here but it does make a nice change – I think that I’ve got the best of both worlds – literally!! I’ve not seen Muhammed or Zdenko at Ilijaš for nearly a week, I’ll have to go and visit. I did try today but they were both in Sarajevo at a meeting.
6.50pm Have just stocked up the fire, fed the dog, hung some washing up and I’m now having a gin and tonic, and playing a 60’s CD on Zsolt’s CD player!! Cheers!!
Markus has got his contingents “medal parade” today so he’ll be back late tonight, no doubt in a legless state!! For the past few days I’ve hardly had a pint (apart from that time in the Texas Bar etc) but I’ve been getting really nagging headaches to the lower back of my head. Again today (after no booze) it came on at about 8.30am. I think that it’s because I keep looking at the computer and then taking my glasses off but I’m not sure!! Anyway – TWO WEEKS today and I’ll be home again! I like it out here but it does make a nice change – I think that I’ve got the best of both worlds – literally!! I’ve not seen Muhammed or Zdenko at Ilijaš for nearly a week, I’ll have to go and visit. I did try today but they were both in Sarajevo at a meeting.
THURSDAY 29.10.98 7.25pm
Drank a few G+T’s last night, plus I phoned Del and all is well at home. Went to bed at about 12.30am and got up this morning at 7am bright eyed and bushy tailed! Had a job this morning, the Duty Officer at Ilijaš phoned us saying that a couple of mines had been found near to Srednje and requested IPTF. I went to Ilijaš first and saw the Duty Officer (a mate of mine) then I picked up Edin and went to Srednje Police Sub-Station. There waiting was a couple of blokes from the Canton Civil Defence Unit. We went to the scene and met a couple of local cops who showed us the area. It was on a single track dirt road off the main drag about 1 K.M in the hills. A road gang who were using a mechanical digger had found them when they were widening the track. Both mines were armed – type AT6 (Anti-Tank mines) but they were set for only 4 Kilos pressure – very low. They also had rods sticking out of the top for anti-personnel. The Civil Defence blokes made them safe and took them to Vogošća for storage at the old “Pretis” arms factory. When there’s a great load of them they take the lot for disposal. I finished there (place was called Višići) and then went back to Vogošća and did the Incident Report at about 12 noon.
After that I went into Sarajevo to the A.S. Market and bought 3 ½ Kilos of minced beef and some odds and sods for the Chilli party tomorrow. I then went to Vogošća Market and bought a load of onions + green + red peppers + garlic + mushrooms from Elvis who runs one of the vegetable stalls there. (I also invited him and his mate to the party tomorrow!). After that I went to the “BB” shop in Vogošća and bought 6 tins of Italian Peeled Tomatoes, as you can’t get them anywhere else!! The lady who served me thought that I was a nutter when I asked for šest (6) tins!!!! I unloaded that lot and got cracking peeling the onions and garlic etc. At 4pm I started cooking and have just finished! There are three large pots of chilli and one of them has got x3 packs of chilli in it – it’s a mind blower!!! Tomorrow I’ll do the rice and that’ll be it then!! Tonight the greedy bitch of the landlords sister came for the rent – I moved into this house on the 6th April 1998 and have always paid in advance. She got 450 DEM off me and Markus (900 DEM) and she had the cheek to count it!!
The weather was good today, very mild and sunny. At the moment I’m having a Warsteiner beer after cooking all that chilli. (Believe me, one of the pots blows your head off!!). So far there’s still no “official” news re the job for Station Commander!! What a joke, still, the more I think about it the better it is, I can manipulate Baloch and I don’t do a stroke of work!! Deputy Station Commander must be the best job going!!
After that I went into Sarajevo to the A.S. Market and bought 3 ½ Kilos of minced beef and some odds and sods for the Chilli party tomorrow. I then went to Vogošća Market and bought a load of onions + green + red peppers + garlic + mushrooms from Elvis who runs one of the vegetable stalls there. (I also invited him and his mate to the party tomorrow!). After that I went to the “BB” shop in Vogošća and bought 6 tins of Italian Peeled Tomatoes, as you can’t get them anywhere else!! The lady who served me thought that I was a nutter when I asked for šest (6) tins!!!! I unloaded that lot and got cracking peeling the onions and garlic etc. At 4pm I started cooking and have just finished! There are three large pots of chilli and one of them has got x3 packs of chilli in it – it’s a mind blower!!! Tomorrow I’ll do the rice and that’ll be it then!! Tonight the greedy bitch of the landlords sister came for the rent – I moved into this house on the 6th April 1998 and have always paid in advance. She got 450 DEM off me and Markus (900 DEM) and she had the cheek to count it!!
The weather was good today, very mild and sunny. At the moment I’m having a Warsteiner beer after cooking all that chilli. (Believe me, one of the pots blows your head off!!). So far there’s still no “official” news re the job for Station Commander!! What a joke, still, the more I think about it the better it is, I can manipulate Baloch and I don’t do a stroke of work!! Deputy Station Commander must be the best job going!!
SATURDAY 31.10.98 5.30pm
Sorry about missing Fridays instalment – so I’ll go back a day, started off as usual at 8am and then went “shopping” and bought some glasses etc. Didn’t do much at work and went home at 4pm and prepared the house for the party. It went quite well, I conked out at about 1am! Went into work at 8.10am, there had been a minor accident involving Italian SFOR Vehicle and a civilian. Dicky and Qasem went to that one!! At about 10am I went to the PX and bought 500 Marlborough for myself at the French PX and then onto the Norwegian PX for 200 Dunhill Menthol for Del. I then went to Ilijaš and saw Zdenko and Vehid but had no language assistant. Zdenko shot off after ten minutes – there had been an incident involving a mine. I went back to Vogošća and picked up Mladen and then went to where the accident happened at Sovrle which is a partially destroyed village just past Ilijaš. A police patrol car met us and we drove to some fields. It was then about half a mile walk through fields uphill to the edge of a wood. Mladen refused to go on the field as it was heavily mined. Like an idiot I went and whilst I was at the site the Canton Bomb Squad found two more live anti-personnel mines. A man cutting wood had stepped onto the mine and had his right leg blown off up to his knee. He was given first aid by his mates and rushed to Kosovo Hospital for treatment. There was blood all over the place, I hope that the poor buggers okay. I’ll check up in a couple of days time and find out how he’s doing.
I got back to Vogošća at about 2.30pm and sent the incident report about it. Finished work at 4pm and ate some of the chilli that was left over – my stomachs in turmoil now!! Weatherwise it was a bit chilly today except when I was walking on those fields – that kept me warm!!
See Ya.
I got back to Vogošća at about 2.30pm and sent the incident report about it. Finished work at 4pm and ate some of the chilli that was left over – my stomachs in turmoil now!! Weatherwise it was a bit chilly today except when I was walking on those fields – that kept me warm!!
See Ya.