Sid/Scouse75's Cyprus blog

[Scouse75]

Blog 11: ok everyone, only two more blogs to go after this one. Hoorah, I hear you shout!!

Yesterday morning we were planning on where we should go swimming for the afternoon. Sid's family suggested going to the local Cypriot beach. However it was obvious from the following comment that Sid was not too keen...

SID: "I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD GO THE CYPRIOT BEACH, IT'S FULL OF CIVIES, AND I JUST DON'T TRUST THEM!!"

So, not being able to let go of the past, we headed down to FUSILER BEACH, with Sid wearing his newly acquired Army issue sandals. His poor son in law is working his b***s off on Senior Brecon, and here is Sid robbing all of his issued kit. In fact, Sid will be leaving Cyprus with more kit than the Q.M's Dept!!

On the subject of Sid's son in law, 'Rushy'. Did you know that when he was dating Joanna, Sid made Rushy call him Sir, not only in work but also when he was at his house!! You are so sad Sid!!

Whilst at FUSILIER BEACH, we were joined for a dip by Bean. Bean started having a little moan that I seemed to be targetting him on the daily blogs. This is in contradiction to last week, when he moaned that I did not mention him enough!! As I expalined, I will only put in the blog what I see or hear happening in front of me. Nothing has been made up. So Bean, if the cap fits...blah blah blah!! Speaking of which, perhaps if Bean had a little think before coming out with outrageous things, then he would not be in the blog so much. Take this for example... whilst the three of us were having a little swim, Bean struck up a body building pose and said, and I quote..."LOOK AT ME LAD'S, IM A GREEK GOD, JUST ADD MEDITERRANEAN SUNSHINE!!!" And he wonders why he is in the blog!!!

The evening was spent having a meal in nearby Pisouri. By far the biggest highlight of the evening was when, Larry 'older brother of Sid' sent Sid the following text!!!.............."HI, IM JUST TAKING OUR MAM OUT FOR A MEAL AT CELTIC MANOR FOR HER BIRTHDAY!!!"

Oh yes, Sid had been too busy on holiday to remember Nanna Burns' birthday!!! The little sun tan that he had acquired soon drained from his chubby little cheeks!!! IIm sure all of you who know Larry can just picture him grinning to himself as he sent Sid the text!!! A short phone call and a lot of grovelling later and Sid was back to being Jean's favourite little soldier!!

After the meal, Sid paid for the meal by card, with me giving him the difference in cash. Whilst on the way home Sid seemed rather quite as I drove us back. Perhaps he was contemplating the end of the lovely holiday, or taking in the local scenery, but no!! All of a sudden he pipes up with..."JOANNA, I'VE WORKED IT OUT IN MY HEAD, YOU OWE ME 18 EUROS FOR THE MEAL!!!" This is his daughter who has put us up all fortnight!!

This morning the sen Major, Charlie Vere-Whiting kindly invited Sid and I to a little presentation he had prepared on the lads operational tours and commitments. Seeing as Sid was too asleep to attend the last one, I made the effort this time. Upon arriving CVW asked of Sid's whereabouts, to which I dutifully replied "SIR, HE TOLD ME TO TELL YOU HE IS SHOPPING WITH HIS FAMILY!!".

CVW: "AND WHERE IS HE REALLY SCOUSE?"

SCOUSE: "ER, IN BED SIR!!"

CVW: "OH, WELL. SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE. IM SURE HE WILL BE UP IN TIME FOR HAPPY HOUR THOUGH!!".

The presentation was very informative, and really highlighted the work the Battalion has undertaken over the last 2 years on Operations and back on the Island. It was good to hear the praise and admiration that the Sen Maj and RSM have for the Fusiliers, many many of them had to turn from boys into men overnight. Something for us to think of when we moan about "The Youth of today". It does not apply to all of them!! How many of us can honestly say that our very first taste of Operations as a young Fusilier was crossing a Line Of Departure to fight a very real enemy? I know I can't. Perhaps the pen-pushers in Whitehall will remember this,the next time they refer to Cyprus as a 'sunshine posting'!!!

Anyway, back to a more light-hearted note. We are now off to jump off some very high cliffs into the Med with Bean and Don Butts. Sid has just reminded me his back is playing up apparantly!!!

Speak soon,

Sid and Scouse

[Scouse75]

Blog 12: Here we go.

Bean has been at it yet again, whilst down at the beach, he amazingly said the following.."HEY, ITS REALLY BEACHY DOWN HERE. NO, I DON'T MEAN THAT, I MEANT IT LOOKS LIKE A BEACH". Er, Yes bean, beaches do tend to take on that type of appearance!!!

Later on,Off the cliffs we went, with Don Butts and I risking a swallow dive. Sid did himself proud with his feet first entry. Mind you, it was quite high.Bean then looked on with envy as the QM, Bri Bloor and his son were participating in a spot of kite surfing. Bean then strutted up to the instructor and booked himself onto a course. He returned to us and said..."The instructor reckons I will be a natural because I look like a surfer!!" You cannot make up some of the things he comes out with!!

That evening, Sid and I went to the mess and were soon invited to the football presentation evening. The lads had joined a local league and were actually crowned as cup winners. Well done lads, and a big thanks to Scouse Hulse for an enjoyable evening. Being an Evertonian, it must have been unique for him to actually see some silverware!!! An added thanks to Gareth Redfern, who on collecting his winners medal said "There you go Scouse, I've now got more medals than you!!"..Almost!!!

The evening then got better with the arrival of the one and only Jinx 99!! You know the one, if you listen to him, he has represented Wales at schoolboy level at every conceivable pasttime! Sid reminded him that he used to play chess in the RED DRAGON with Alan Redburn. Jinx replied with... "YES, I BEAT HIM 4-1, BUT I DID REPRESENT WALES WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL!!!" Jinx further amazed us by revealing that he had actually received his LSGC. Even he thought it was a wind up!! By the way Bean, Jinx actually knew what the Regimental shepherd did!!

It was great to see Jinx, and as always he had great pleasure in telling all that would listen that he was "THE DADDY!!". (YAWN). I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jinx's good wife for the following remark..."HEY SCOUSE, YOU USED TO BE THE BLONDE BOMBSHELL WHEN YOU WERE IN THE ARMY. BUT BLOODY HELL, THE YEARS HAVE NOT BEEN KIND TO YOU"!!! Needless to say, Sid reminded me of this at least every half hour!!!!

Sid was on good behaviour, right up to the point that he told three LEMGO stories within half an hour!!!!! Whilst on the subject of Sid, here is a quick joke.... What do Sid Burns and the Jackson 5 have in common?........Answer: They only got where they are because of a more talented brother!!!!

The next gem is written with the permission of the RSM who treated us to this classic.: Ok, we have all done it, forgotten an important birthday or anniversary. the other week, the RSM did exactly that. He did not get the hint that Jo was not speaking to him, or that his daughter was walking around with a card for ages. The RSM soon realised what the card was and looked at Jo and said "ER, I LOVE YOU". He then came out with the best excuse ever. He said, totally straight faced..... "BABE, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH EVERY SINGLE DAY, THAT OUR ANNIVERSARY IS NO DIFFERENT. THATS THE ONLY REASON I DID NOT NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT!!" Wayne has stated that he is happy for all forum users to use this excuse when the need arises!!!

It would only be fair that I end this penultimate blog with another Sid classic. Seeing a queue at the bar, he promptly got his warrant card out and exclaimed..."NO WAY AM I WAITING FOR SERVICE, IM THE LAW"!!!

Right, Im off to Pathos for the night with the RSM, his brother, Bean and a few others. Sid is of course still in bed!! Standby for the final blog tommorrow!!

Sid and Scouse

[Scouse75]

Final Blog:

Well Ladies and Gents, the moment has finally arrived. We are now awaiting our trip to the airport at the end of a fantastic two weeks. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who have made it such a memorable holiday. Of course thanks to Uncle Sid and Aunty Heidi, and especially to Joanna for being our hostess!!

In regards to the Regiment, there were so many people who made our visit such a great time. They were, as always great hosts. Thanks to Bean who really did make our stay easier. And for the fact that he gave me so much ammunition for the Blogs!! Now Bean has just left on leave, it maybe worth letting you know that his OC actually thought he was hosting an official commrades visit!! Little did he know that the visit consisted of Me and Sid!!!
Cheers to the RSM Wayne Roberts, for allowing us into the mess and ensuring that we left in a mess!! There are so many others that helped us out throughout our time here and it is very much appreciated. Cheers to my old Platoon Commander, now Sen Major CVW for his informative presentation on the Afghan Ops.

If anyone has been 'fortunate' enough to have had a mention on one of the blogs, it was only ever meant as a light-hearted bit of banter. Remember, it's when people stop talking about you that you need to worry!! To Sid and Bean, I make no apologies whatsoever for mentioning you on the blogs, as your behaviour has meritted regular mentions. By the way, Sid has just said to me..."SCOUSE, I SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN UB40 BUT MY MILITARY CAREER GOT IN THE WAY!!!" And so it continues!!!!!

On speaking to members of the Battalion across all ranks, I think it is quite obvious that the majority are looking forward to returning to the UK. And rightly so after now appreciating even more the efforts that have been made by the Battalion on Operations. When the Battalion march through Wrexham on the commrades weekend, I really hope that the people of Wrexham will be there in their thousands to show their support and appreciation. I know we all will. Now I've had the opportunity to listen to a few tales from the lads who were on the ground about their experiences, I think I will be even prouder watching the Battalion march through Wrexham.

Ok, I've waffled on for far too long(about two weeks too long!!!), It's time to finish off. I Hope you found some of the little snippets we have sent you fun and informative. We tried to strike a balance with a light-hearted approach and some information about how the battalion are doing. If we got it wrong....BLAME SID!!!!

Cheers,

Scouse and Sid

[Barry69]

A Fantastic Blog Scouse made me feel I was there! So much I ve caught the sun!

Barry


PS Sid in UB40 em, a Rat in the Kitchen May be?


PPS Easy on the Evertonians a new dawn approaches lol

[ap1]

A great job Scouse....a Classic Thread.

Perhaps "Scouse's Weekly Blog" might be a good idea?

[margrit]

Sorry the blog has come to an end. It was hilarious. Couldn't wait to get into work in the mornings to read the next episode.

[5haron]

Same here Margrit. I was off work, put my back out and feeling sorry for myself. Scouse, your blog brightened the day :)

[Glen]

I must admit.....I enjoyed it too.
Nice one Scouse. When's the next holiday???
Glen

[Bean10]

Scouse & Sid, glad you both had a great 2 weeks in Cyprus. It has been a pleasure hosting you both, and the Blog has been hiliarious!! "even if the flack has been directed towards me and sid". I agree with Al, you should do more of these blogs paul! We have changed the working hours in Cyprus around this blog lol!! Everyone who I have spoken to including some of the wives, have found it very amusing! "Llangollen has got talent paul" !

[Sheena Morgan]

Had to wait till today to read the last blog as I've been on holiday. It's been great fun reading them Scouse, I've thoroughly enjoyed them. Roll on the next one......