Well what a week so far. Started on Monday with my first officer phoning and abrubtly telling me the Assistant director (new pompous name for our boss) could see no benefit in my trip to the 'business' so he was expecting me to take a career break to go out there (no pay, no pension, no protection and a loss of seniority) 'oh dear' said I and after quite a few more expressions like that and an early morning drive back to work yesterday (I'm on leave at the mo.) for more cage rattling and checking all my proof as to the assurances made I received a call from said first officer (newish name for incompetent ineffective buffon) to say it was just a little 'misunderstanding' and I was being paid - including my transport to and from the airport!
So carried on clothes shopping which A) I hate doing at any time and B) is a real pain looking for summer type clothes in Llanelli in February!
So got most of the essentials - black rolled up umbrella - de rigeur for the officer abroad travelling in mufti,favourite veldtschoen checked over by my cobbler, sun tan lotion, diarrohea tablets for when (not if) I get the squirts, constipation tablets for when the diarrohea tablets finally Kick in, water purification tablets, three types of antibiotics just in case, syringes, needles, sutures,desert combat boots (good old fleabay) linen jacket for formal meetings on order, cheap mobile ready for pay as you go sim card out there,camera sorted with new flash cards and batteries, jungle formula insect repellant, my proper job akubra bush hat on the peg ready and loads of light trousers, shorts and shirts - and of course bee suit
It's costing me a bleddy fortune! Not long to go now.
