F e a t u r e s
for six days R&R. I travelled to Brize Norton to collect him, and, not being an expert in matters Air Force, was a bit apprehensive about the process. I needn’t have worried – their website is very informative, and told me everything I needed to know, from how to find the base, to what paperwork I needed to produce to be allowed in. It even provided a telephone number to ring to check for flight delays. The only thing it didn’t help me with was what to say to your husband when you haven’t seen him for 11 weeks! Well, luckily he overcame that by rushing through the terminal doors, demanding to know the cricket score…
Perfect Peace
Our six days together were perfect – we chose not to return home, but instead stayed in some lovely hotels whilst catching up with our family and friends. Obviously it might not be practical for others to do this, but I would really recommend it. To borrow a horrible American term, it meant that we could spend ‘quality time’ together without mundane domesticity getting in the way. I
have to admit I found it very difficult to say goodbye to Paul when I dropped him back at Brize, but I wouldn’t have swapped our few days together for the world.
Give me a break
I needed it when it came just over halfway through. Some time to really sleep and relax was most welcome. Not going home (no kids) was ideal for us as it gave us both a break with time just to be together. Although the tremendous speed (at least 25 miles an hour) at which my wife drove out of Brize Norton nearly gave me a heart attack. I resisted the urge to grab the steering wheel and reminded myself through gritted teeth that I had probably got a bit too used to the driving speeds at Kandahar. The time goes so quickly and it was soon goodbye again.
How to get by
So, are there any other tips I can pass on? Before your husband leaves, make sure you know who your nominated unit officer is, and how to contact them – they can be
invaluable in helping to resolve any RAF related issues you may have, as they know exactly who to contact. My nominated unit officer was also a personal friend, which made everything just that little bit easier – I didn’t feel so silly asking daft questions like….’Just how long is the grass supposed to get before a nice man comes and cuts it for me?’… (in my defence, it was knee high by the time I got around to asking…). Also, visiting family and friends gave me plenty to look forward to and that, coupled with keeping busy with work, has helped the time pass quickly so far.
Preparing to Come Back Perhaps surprisingly, I think that I will feel slightly sad to leave the cut and thrust of the last few months behind. So much has happened and so much has been done, I feel I want to be here to see the next bit through. And the friends you make on Ops will be friends for life. But I know it’s time for a break, some proper sleep and a chance to reacquaint myself with the TV remote control. Oh, and to kiss the wife too of course!
www.raf-ff.org.uk
Winter 2009
11
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