Well what a worry. Unbeknown to most of us apparently the Falklands may well kick off again, but this time the Navy has shrunk to half the size of the nineteen-eighties fleet. It's all to do with the black gold that lies behind most of the world's squabbles, ie oil.
For those of us who remember the Falklands war, the knowledge of mineral rights affecting our interest in those bleak little outcrops in the South Atlantic comes as nothing of a surprise. It was always felt the Mrs Thatcher's somewhat belated reaction to the Argentine invasion (Lord Carrington actually resigned as a matter of honour over what he regarded as the Foreign Office cock up by sending mixed signals to Argentina), was spurred on by the presence of hydro-carbons and carbons in the portion of Antarctica which sovereignty of the Falklands gave us claim to. But now it seems the previous speculation has turned into a likely stash of approximately three trillion dollars worth of oil reserves.
British companies have been exploring the geology for several years and it is only recently that confirmation of the extent of the wealth lurking beneath land and sea has come to light. The response from Buenos Aires has been to produce a new map of the area with the Falklands returned to being named 'las Malvinas', and the Argentinean Foreign Ministry has lodged a formal complaint with the British Embassy warning they will not tolerate any removal of minerals from Argentine territorial waters - implying they do not recognise British claims to jurisdiction. American press sites are full of the story but we have heard nothing about it over here. Britain has recently cranked up the number of soldiers stationed on the islands considerably, under the auspices of training them for deployment to Afghanistan, and it is strongly supposed the Navy has submarine presence in the area but oh my goodness not more conflict on the horizon.
Here we go again.
The party was brilliant. Such good fun. Caught up with friends and the atmosphere and food were both terrific. Everyone was so supportive and sent lots of love and positivity re C and it's genuinely overwhelming to know that so many people care so much. Strangely enough met someone who was involved with making Harry Brown and explained that whilst I thought it was a brilliant film, as someone who works with teenagers whose life isn't that far removed from the subway kids, it was uncomfortably close to the damaged lives of swathes of our youngsters today.
Had a long chat with H. He doesn't think being a submariner is conducive to having a girlfriend as the endless stretches of time at sea would prove intolerable. Assured him that there are some girls who could stand such endurance, but he emphasised that submarines weren't like the surface fleet and that once under the water there is absolutely no communication for possibly three months at a time. Oh dear, that means Mother's are out of contact as well as girlfriends. He's enjoying the course enormously but as this is the first time the new condensed training has been applied there are technical glitches and some quite unrealistic expectations of what can be done in such a short period of time. He's desperately hoping for a mine sweeper for his practical stint as you get to do much more on the smaller ships than on the big ones. He's missed a call from C and was gutted, but is looking forward to seeing him soon God willing. R home and have just taken her breakfast in bed. No news from C but at least I know he was OK yesterday because he tried to ring H.
The rugby was brilliant with England hammering Wales 30-17. I'm off for a lovely long walk by the river and please God today will be as good as the other hundred and twenty six.
Speak soon. A soldier's Mum x
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Saturday, 6 February 2010
Day 126 Week 17
The sun is shining. Goodness what a difference it makes. Bright, golden sunshine.
Good to see everyone in the pub last night and catch up on all the news. Also quite exciting not to be in pyjamas by six thirty, positively recklessly late night- went to bed at ten o'clock.
Very busy day today. Dear friend's birthday and it's her son's tomorrow, and he's one of C's oldest friends so lots of overlap and sentimentality there. Also have been invited to a very glamorous party tonight, lots of scrumptious nosh, witty banter and flowing champagne so think I'll rehearse old-age and have a sleep this afternoon. Of course should really join my fellow Ramblers and yomp through the open countryside, but think I'll give that one a swerve in the name of energy conservation.
Wonder if C is able to conserve energy.
Spoke to my Aunt this morning and she's not been very well at all but thankfully is better now. She and my Uncle have sent yet another parcel out to the frontline. Bless them they always meticulously count up the weight of all the contents and each time they've gone to the post office it's been too heavy, but the kindly postmaster has let it through. Apparently the error stems from counting up the weight on each item, which doesn't include the external wrapping. It's so kind of them to send stuff out because C has told me how much it means to receive goodies from home. These acts of kindness really do make a difference.
Damn, forgot to put some of those energy boosting things in the last despatch I sent out. Am cross with myself. Could make such a difference.
My friend and I plan to go up to Nottinghamshire in the half term holiday, well that's the theory. Never feel totally comfortable making decisions about future actions at the moment, what with everything being so vulnerable and potentially unpredictable.
It's the rugby between England and Wales this afternoon. Had such fun last year watching it with friends and then being kissed by a very handsome stranger on the way home, seems like a million years ago now. Can't really remember what it's like to feel carefree and not to be on edge all the time.
R had a good night out. I've not heard from H but R has and he's been granted two weeks special leave for C's R and R, so with the help of God should have them all together again. No news from C but clutching my phone to my side as he has taken to ringing at the weekend.
Please God I'll see him again.
Speak soon. A soldier's Mum x
Good to see everyone in the pub last night and catch up on all the news. Also quite exciting not to be in pyjamas by six thirty, positively recklessly late night- went to bed at ten o'clock.
Very busy day today. Dear friend's birthday and it's her son's tomorrow, and he's one of C's oldest friends so lots of overlap and sentimentality there. Also have been invited to a very glamorous party tonight, lots of scrumptious nosh, witty banter and flowing champagne so think I'll rehearse old-age and have a sleep this afternoon. Of course should really join my fellow Ramblers and yomp through the open countryside, but think I'll give that one a swerve in the name of energy conservation.
Wonder if C is able to conserve energy.
Spoke to my Aunt this morning and she's not been very well at all but thankfully is better now. She and my Uncle have sent yet another parcel out to the frontline. Bless them they always meticulously count up the weight of all the contents and each time they've gone to the post office it's been too heavy, but the kindly postmaster has let it through. Apparently the error stems from counting up the weight on each item, which doesn't include the external wrapping. It's so kind of them to send stuff out because C has told me how much it means to receive goodies from home. These acts of kindness really do make a difference.
Damn, forgot to put some of those energy boosting things in the last despatch I sent out. Am cross with myself. Could make such a difference.
My friend and I plan to go up to Nottinghamshire in the half term holiday, well that's the theory. Never feel totally comfortable making decisions about future actions at the moment, what with everything being so vulnerable and potentially unpredictable.
It's the rugby between England and Wales this afternoon. Had such fun last year watching it with friends and then being kissed by a very handsome stranger on the way home, seems like a million years ago now. Can't really remember what it's like to feel carefree and not to be on edge all the time.
R had a good night out. I've not heard from H but R has and he's been granted two weeks special leave for C's R and R, so with the help of God should have them all together again. No news from C but clutching my phone to my side as he has taken to ringing at the weekend.
Please God I'll see him again.
Speak soon. A soldier's Mum x
Friday, 5 February 2010
Day 125 Week 17
The two soldiers from the Yorkshire Regiment were repatriated today and it was grimly sombre. Haven't heard from fellow soldier's Mum but she must be desperate. Lots of love and positivity please Lord.
Read the blog on the BBC of the Officer Commanding 3 Rifles A Company in the upper Sangin Valley and apparently that's where most fighting has occurred lately. The insurgents are relentless and the problem is that now they have taken control, they have to hold on to it. The O-i-C said they had been very 'busy' which is always an army euphemism for 'lots of violence'. C is in A Company and the last time I spoke to him he told me he'd been very 'busy'.
Four MPs are to be charged with fraud as it appears they fiddled their expenses beyond the pale. Don't quite know how the line is drawn in that particular patch of sand, but apparently it is. And those serving in Afghanistan have inadequate equipment because of cost cutting.
Not heard from H and miss him so much. But the good news is R just arrived home looking fabulous and when I ventured to mention that more clothes had arrived she looked so affronted and replied 'yeh, like, that's just like, the only piece of shopping I've done in ages, and I'm like, really sensible compared with everyone else'. Felt brave enough to mention the labels I'd found in the bathroom last week but apparently they were 'like, ancient'. Not heard from C and just hope and pray that he's safe and well and not forced to be too 'busy' all the time.
As it's supposed to be Fun Friday and meeting friends in the pub in a couple of minutes.
Hopefully everyone safe and sound
Speak soon. A soldier's Mum x
Read the blog on the BBC of the Officer Commanding 3 Rifles A Company in the upper Sangin Valley and apparently that's where most fighting has occurred lately. The insurgents are relentless and the problem is that now they have taken control, they have to hold on to it. The O-i-C said they had been very 'busy' which is always an army euphemism for 'lots of violence'. C is in A Company and the last time I spoke to him he told me he'd been very 'busy'.
Four MPs are to be charged with fraud as it appears they fiddled their expenses beyond the pale. Don't quite know how the line is drawn in that particular patch of sand, but apparently it is. And those serving in Afghanistan have inadequate equipment because of cost cutting.
Not heard from H and miss him so much. But the good news is R just arrived home looking fabulous and when I ventured to mention that more clothes had arrived she looked so affronted and replied 'yeh, like, that's just like, the only piece of shopping I've done in ages, and I'm like, really sensible compared with everyone else'. Felt brave enough to mention the labels I'd found in the bathroom last week but apparently they were 'like, ancient'. Not heard from C and just hope and pray that he's safe and well and not forced to be too 'busy' all the time.
As it's supposed to be Fun Friday and meeting friends in the pub in a couple of minutes.
Hopefully everyone safe and sound
Speak soon. A soldier's Mum x
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Day 124 Week 17
Oh my poor friend and fellow soldier's Mum. She told me her boy didn't want to go back. What can you say? How can you comfort someone who just took her child to catch a plane to return to a war, but this time knowing all too well what that involves? I said hold on to the thought that they're not forgotten and there are thousands of us in the same boat, but in truth that doesn't help at all. She's back to crying all the time. Lots and lots of prayers that the whole thing will stop and no one else will be hurt.
Weather grim. Colleagues were talking about garden design, one being a horticultural wizard and the other wishing to design a beautiful one in her new house, and the wizard reminded the novice that she should look to where the sun fell during the day and the novice replied that she hadn't been able to, as since she'd been given the advice - the sun hadn't appeared once. We'll all be going down with SAD syndrome - maybe that's why I'm so knackered all the time. Anyway the wizard is my buddy and she's said she's going to help me put the finishing touches to my 'Japanese garden', sounds awfully glamorous.
See that all Toyotas are being recalled because of defective accelerators, sometimes they just keep getting faster and faster even when not applied, or more worryingly still, when braking. It's very serious, so far eighteen fatalities have been attributed to the condition in the US alone. At least I know C is in danger, it's the ones you don't know about which are often the most lethal.
Read that Katie Price has remarried, this time to a cage fighter and it's rumoured they celebrated their nuptials with a private audience by several artists in a strip club. Surely not. Sometimes I think the world is compartmentalised into separate mini-universes, so near and yet so totally unconnected to each other.
Had a text from H and he's loving it. Not heard from R so hope she's OK. No news from C.
Please God look after them all.
Speak soon. A soldier's Mum x
Weather grim. Colleagues were talking about garden design, one being a horticultural wizard and the other wishing to design a beautiful one in her new house, and the wizard reminded the novice that she should look to where the sun fell during the day and the novice replied that she hadn't been able to, as since she'd been given the advice - the sun hadn't appeared once. We'll all be going down with SAD syndrome - maybe that's why I'm so knackered all the time. Anyway the wizard is my buddy and she's said she's going to help me put the finishing touches to my 'Japanese garden', sounds awfully glamorous.
See that all Toyotas are being recalled because of defective accelerators, sometimes they just keep getting faster and faster even when not applied, or more worryingly still, when braking. It's very serious, so far eighteen fatalities have been attributed to the condition in the US alone. At least I know C is in danger, it's the ones you don't know about which are often the most lethal.
Read that Katie Price has remarried, this time to a cage fighter and it's rumoured they celebrated their nuptials with a private audience by several artists in a strip club. Surely not. Sometimes I think the world is compartmentalised into separate mini-universes, so near and yet so totally unconnected to each other.
Had a text from H and he's loving it. Not heard from R so hope she's OK. No news from C.
Please God look after them all.
Speak soon. A soldier's Mum x
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Day 123 Week 17
Fellow soldier's Mum said as they left home the local paper was full of the news of the death of her son's friend and comrade and that when they got to the airport she didn't say goodbye to a soldier but to her child, and now he's gone back to that hell-hole. All I could say was there was nothing I could say, but that there were thousands of us in the same position. Oh Lord what a mess.
Now the government says we can't afford to keep our Armed Forces at the current level, so we'll have to merge with the French. Can't see that one working somehow. Mega clash of mini-Titans with a bucket load of history to settle and neither particularly like being told what to do by the other. Love the French, adore la Francais mais je pense ....... quoi?
Then with all the revelations, counter-revelations and ego posturing going on at the Iraq Inquiry you can't help but query the validity. We are but pawns.
Work very busy but satisfying. Numeracy and literacy and nice kids so it was good. Gave a colleague a lift home and was good to chat and actually laugh in the car on the way home. Was invited to a gathering tonight but am still knackered so have sent apologies and will see everyone at the Weekend God willing. Weather grim. Cold, claggy rain with the distant threat more of the frozen stuff sweeping in from the north.
Heard from H and he's so supportive. Not heard from R but apparently the latest is a month in Ibiza in the summer - how? No news from C but sent a letter out today and realised I was being looked at as I spoke to it and gave it a kiss at the post box. Never think you're not being watched.
Thank you Lord.
Speak soon. A soldier's Mum x
Now the government says we can't afford to keep our Armed Forces at the current level, so we'll have to merge with the French. Can't see that one working somehow. Mega clash of mini-Titans with a bucket load of history to settle and neither particularly like being told what to do by the other. Love the French, adore la Francais mais je pense ....... quoi?
Then with all the revelations, counter-revelations and ego posturing going on at the Iraq Inquiry you can't help but query the validity. We are but pawns.
Work very busy but satisfying. Numeracy and literacy and nice kids so it was good. Gave a colleague a lift home and was good to chat and actually laugh in the car on the way home. Was invited to a gathering tonight but am still knackered so have sent apologies and will see everyone at the Weekend God willing. Weather grim. Cold, claggy rain with the distant threat more of the frozen stuff sweeping in from the north.
Heard from H and he's so supportive. Not heard from R but apparently the latest is a month in Ibiza in the summer - how? No news from C but sent a letter out today and realised I was being looked at as I spoke to it and gave it a kiss at the post box. Never think you're not being watched.
Thank you Lord.
Speak soon. A soldier's Mum x
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Day 122 Week 17
Didn't know two more soldiers died yesterday. My fellow soldier's Mum e-mailed me today and told me and she's so down. They were friends of her son and she was taking him to the airport to get his flight back to it all. What a note to return on. God rest their souls.
Please keep everyone safe.
There is definitely something funny in the air this week. Strange things have been happening and lots of testing situations arising unpredictably. Just hope it all passes without anything too spectacular occurring. Work wasn't without incident and then got to see Harry Brown and whilst Michael Caine is still splendid on the big screen, definite eye-candy and surely he must be seventy by now - but oh my God it was depressing. Hate gratuitous violence, there's enough of the real stuff in the world without making vile make-believe.
If only magic wands were real.
After the marvellous physio session yesterday, ankle felt absolutely brilliant this morning and so abandoned stick and it felt terrific. Went for a walk at lunchtime with my buddy and we had a chat and laugh and felt heartily grateful that an incident which happened during the morning was hopefully settled in a positive way. Then came home and despatched another parcel off to the front and yes, hugged and kissed the large envelope and asked it to keep C safe. Wonder why people can take comfort from familiar rituals? Must be Celtic blood coming to the fore.
Still feel knackered - but am aware it's psychological. Oh for the spring and a carpet of bluebells in a woodland bathed in golden sunshine.
No news from H but we tend to just speak at the weekend as he's got so much work to do. Mais j'espere ill est back en Angleterre maintenant. Not heard from R but yet another parcel of internet shopping has arrived. No news from C and as he tends to ring at the weekend now, please Lord keep it that way.
Speak soon. A soldier's Mum x
Please keep everyone safe.
There is definitely something funny in the air this week. Strange things have been happening and lots of testing situations arising unpredictably. Just hope it all passes without anything too spectacular occurring. Work wasn't without incident and then got to see Harry Brown and whilst Michael Caine is still splendid on the big screen, definite eye-candy and surely he must be seventy by now - but oh my God it was depressing. Hate gratuitous violence, there's enough of the real stuff in the world without making vile make-believe.
If only magic wands were real.
After the marvellous physio session yesterday, ankle felt absolutely brilliant this morning and so abandoned stick and it felt terrific. Went for a walk at lunchtime with my buddy and we had a chat and laugh and felt heartily grateful that an incident which happened during the morning was hopefully settled in a positive way. Then came home and despatched another parcel off to the front and yes, hugged and kissed the large envelope and asked it to keep C safe. Wonder why people can take comfort from familiar rituals? Must be Celtic blood coming to the fore.
Still feel knackered - but am aware it's psychological. Oh for the spring and a carpet of bluebells in a woodland bathed in golden sunshine.
No news from H but we tend to just speak at the weekend as he's got so much work to do. Mais j'espere ill est back en Angleterre maintenant. Not heard from R but yet another parcel of internet shopping has arrived. No news from C and as he tends to ring at the weekend now, please Lord keep it that way.
Speak soon. A soldier's Mum x
Monday, 1 February 2010
Day 121 Week 17
Why oh why did I marry that plonker? Must hold on to the fact that I wouldn't want my children in any way different whatsoever, so if they had to have that genetic fingerprint then so be it. It's all meant to be, there is a reason for everything, we don't necessarily see it at the time, it is only later on that everything makes sense, but oh my goodness he tries the patience of a saint.
Let it go. Don't like even thinking about him - and certainly hate it when he rattles my cage. Indifference is the cherished state and all I wish is that he would honour his word. What goes around comes around. Let it go.
Am so tired owing to the fact my brain wouldn't switch off last night, and just kept churning, churning, churning. Then once adrenalin was pumping thoughts turned to C and with all the inevitability of wide awake since midnight, and by then it's four in the morning, the only conclusion was a state of terror. Pure blind panic. Why do things magnify in the wee small hours of the morning, apparently more people slip off this mortal coil between two and five than at any other time. Let it go.
Work was good. Am so tired I feel sick. This must be how C feels all the time, with the added responsibility of decisions made in a split second determining the safety and well being of God knows how many. That puts me in my place.
Heard on the grape vine that apparently, God bless him, C is held in high esteem by those who know him. He stays calm and nothing ruffles him. That must hopefully be very reassuring for those around him and just hope and pray he can keep it together for the long haul.
Please Lord he's safe and really will come home.
H wonderful and so calm and supportive. Told me everything will be fine and just chill out. R back at uni and I just keep chanting the bad times make the good times worthwhile - and if this is as bad as it gets it'll be a good life.
Lots of prayers for calm.
Speak soon. A soldier's Mum x
Let it go. Don't like even thinking about him - and certainly hate it when he rattles my cage. Indifference is the cherished state and all I wish is that he would honour his word. What goes around comes around. Let it go.
Am so tired owing to the fact my brain wouldn't switch off last night, and just kept churning, churning, churning. Then once adrenalin was pumping thoughts turned to C and with all the inevitability of wide awake since midnight, and by then it's four in the morning, the only conclusion was a state of terror. Pure blind panic. Why do things magnify in the wee small hours of the morning, apparently more people slip off this mortal coil between two and five than at any other time. Let it go.
Work was good. Am so tired I feel sick. This must be how C feels all the time, with the added responsibility of decisions made in a split second determining the safety and well being of God knows how many. That puts me in my place.
Heard on the grape vine that apparently, God bless him, C is held in high esteem by those who know him. He stays calm and nothing ruffles him. That must hopefully be very reassuring for those around him and just hope and pray he can keep it together for the long haul.
Please Lord he's safe and really will come home.
H wonderful and so calm and supportive. Told me everything will be fine and just chill out. R back at uni and I just keep chanting the bad times make the good times worthwhile - and if this is as bad as it gets it'll be a good life.
Lots of prayers for calm.
Speak soon. A soldier's Mum x
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