After two weeks’ R&R in the UK I returned to Helmand province and was immediately sent up to FOB Edinburgh to join the rest of C Sqn. While there I bumped into a young, skinny-looking ginger-haired officer who looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn't think why.

Initially I wasn't certain what job I would be doing: although I've spent

the majority of my time in theatre deployed as a driver on the ground, I've only ever been covering for other absences, so my natural 'home' is in Admin Troop back in Bastion. In fact, I was convinced that I'd be sent back to Bastion on the next flight out of FOB Ed. In the end, a spare gunner, a spare commander and I took over a Scimitar that had been left behind by another crew who had themselves just left for R&R. We were assigned to 2 Troop with the callsign 63.

Before we left FOB Ed that familiar-looking officer I mentioned had to

depart suddenly: I then twigged it was HRH and it was a pity as I understand he was due to have been Support Troop Troop Leader for

the rest of the tour. I therefore didn't get a chance for any cheesy photos!

The Squadron continued in much the same vein as it did before my R&R; working in a couple of areas to the north east of Musa Qala in close co-operation with the theatre's Warrior company. Right Flank company of 1 Scots Guards (who manned them before my R&R) have been relieved by B Coy 4 Scots.

This particular two-week stint was quite light on contacts for C Sqn but the same couldn't be said for the Warriors. On one particular Op the battlegroup was to advance some 12km up the Musa Qala wadi, clearing compounds to the west and east as it went along. Two Troop was assigned a REME callsign and had to drive up the wadi, in the hope that it would provoke the enemy to be engaged by the Warriors on the western side or C Sqn on the east. It sounds like it could have been dangerous for us: in fact it was extremely boring, as all we did was drive at most 500m in one bound and sit there for a little while. Apart from 1 Warrior hitting a landmine (external damage only, no casualties) there was little to report.

Driving 63 was quite a challenge as it was missing 2nd gear and 5th

gear (out of 7 gears in total). REME weren't prepared to change the gearbox as they only had one and might need it for another vehicle that would otherwise be immobile. So in the best traditions of the WDs I had to put a brave face on it and crack on.

The most significant difference between this stint and the one in January in much the same area was the weather. In January it was unfailingly cold and grim and usually covered in snow: in February and March it was warm and sunny. The fields were covered in grass, and during the day it was t-shirt weather: indeed, I started to return to the hot weather routine (ie lots of fluids and staying out of the sun). It was still Softie weather first thing in the morning and once the sun went down at night, however.

When the R&R plot returned I had to hand the Scimitar back over. The plan was for the Squadron to drive down to Bastion: as I had no natural home anymore and seeing as virtually all of Admin Troop had been deployed to fill various gaps I was told that myself and the rest of Admin Troop would be flown back to Bastion to meet the Squadron there.

The day of the move the Squadron left at first light: in good weather and a hard surface it's about a six-hour drive. We were due to fly later on in the afternoon. Not long after lunch - still sadly rat pack lunch at FOB Ed, the cookhouse hasn't been built yet - we were told the Squadron was returning as instead of going home it had to resupply and then put in a deliberate op around Musa Qala: some intelligence had been received that a major Taliban offensive was about to start. The implication for us was that our flight that day was cancelled and we didn't know when we'd be getting back: the implication for the Squadron was that four hours out of FOB Ed and two hours from Bastion they had to turn round and come back north.

That was four days ago and Admin Troop has since flown back to Bastion while the Squadron is due in soon. Rumours persist that they won't come back at all and just complete an abbreviated equipment care period at FOB Ed - we've already packed up a load of spares to go up there - so I guess, in typical army fashion, we'll have to wait out for a response.

With no more R&R plots and with the Squadron down several vehicles I expect I will be staying in Bastion for the rest of the tour. Having had four months out on the ground I can't really complain, so instead I'll make best use of the facilities in Bastion while I can!

It remains for me to thank, once again, the Squadron for all its support, in particular the mail and packages that continue to come through. We are due to leave theatre for decompression in Cyprus on 28th April, arriving in the UK 30th April, and with a medals parade at Combermere barracks on 5th May. I'm looking forward to visiting the Sqn after that and once again boring everyone silly with my photos, videos and assorted war stories!