A car ride around the area surrounding Kabul (Part 2) from David Bailey MBE on Vimeo.

Many thanks to my good friend Navid

A car ride around the area surrounding Kabul, from David Bailey MBE on Vimeo.

With thanks to my good friend Navid!

Later today, when I have arrived in London and relaxed a bit I will close "DFBMBE does the 'stan". It will then just stay as a sort of history of my year in a very troubled country,

The fact that's it's all over still hasn't sunk in but I am sure that once back in my daughters flat in West Dulwich, and I start to write that final post on this blog that I will, just for a second maybe, think back to my first post I wrote from the same place a year ago.

At the moment it's like going on leave. I am doing all the routine as I have done on my breaks away from Kabul. EXCEPT in 2 weeks I won't be coming back.

The last few hours have seen some really nice posts and messages on both my Facebook and Twitter streams and they've brought a smile to my face.

I hope that the power of Social Media enables all the cool people I met in the 'stan to keep in touch with me and also for them to share in whatever adventures I get up to next.

I'm rambling now so time to prepare mentally for the enjoyment that is "flying Emirates"

Ciao!

I just don't get the sentimentality of it all.

Some people will say it's impolite to just walk away, but for me I see it as life moving on.

My first thoughts of the past year are of an experience I am glad I went through. Afghanistan has left it's mark that's for sure.

I feel a bit of a fraud for not being able to really contribute much but hope that some word or advice I might have given has helped.

I have just seen a young man sporting a T Shirt that says "proud afghan". Well that makes me smile, as it's a tiny piece of positiveness for the future here.

My former afghan colleagues exposed me to a different way of doing, almost anything. They struggle every day to make life tolerable and safe for themselves and their families. I don't have those pressures so .....

My emotions are all over the place sat here and I hope that on arrival in Dubai they will have settled somewhat.

I am so excited about going "home" but a little scared about "living normally" (whatever that is).

Will I cope?

I think "geekiness" is taking hold of me!

It's 0730ish on a Friday morning. 2 days away from leaving Kabul and the start of the long and winding road back home.

I would lie to you if I said I wasn't so excited to seeing the Balkans again.

But there is a sense of sadness in leaving some great people behind. You know, when I was a serving soldier I knew that people you met on posting or on tour were just acquaintances, not really friends. Friends are those who you don't see for years and when you finally meet again the atmosphere is like you were never apart. But acquaintances are cool people too.

There's been lots of new experiences for me here in Kabul.

I have learned a lot.

Been so disappointed in seeing that NATO can't or won't learn from it's previous mistakes (I blame institutionalised arrogance of the worst order).

Observed a totally failed state struggling to regain self esteem and continually struggling.

And have felt more tolerant than ever in my life.

Ummmm.

Deep things for early morning.

Well all I have left in my containerised room (which had less in it that Ratko Mladic has in the Hague),are my techy day sack and my normal pack which will carry the few clothes I have left (which are in the laundry as I write).

My boxes departed via DHL two days ago. The one shipped to Bosnia took just 36 hours! I am still in shock over that. Let's see how long the other takes to London?

Off for a farewell brunch with colleagues later.

Hopefully a few images to share with you soon.

Will miss ....
1. Working in a multi-culti (international) environment
2. Speaking German
3. Shocking the military with my "Britishness"
4. The Salary
5. Kabuli Pillau

Won't miss ....
1. Living in an "open prison" environment
2. DFAC "slops" (food from the dining facility)
3. The Kabul pollution in winter
4. Internationals (ISAF) who "THINK they know the Afghan culture"
5. The security everywhere in Kabul (I know it's needed but it's so oppressive)

Having heard the news yesterday that Ratko Mladic had finally been captured in Serbia, I promised myself a leisurely English breakfast to celebrate and which i have just devoured, although I have to say the terminology of English Breakfast is stretching things a bit, especially as the toast here is notoriously anaemic!

My mind still races no matter how I try and to slow it down and without wishing the time away, I am day dreaming about the near future, getting my new passport, arriving back home in Bosnia, holidaying on the island of Rab and creating an English kitchen garden back in the village ;)

However, I still have my tea to finish and I am contemplating a second cup. There's something about just sitting comfortably, watching the world go by, with a cup of tea.

In 2 weeks all this will be recent history, no more feeling the "prison claustrophobia", of being behind the wire, wondering about increases in threat levels and being surrounded by soldiers with weapons.

It's 9 sleeps and a farewell certificate left.

I am in SINGLE figures!!

To start with can I say that my "get up and go" has truly ....

Escape 1.
It's a struggle getting up these past mornings and so after the usual 0830hrs update or as it's called the "huddle" it was off for a lovely cup of "Rosie Lee" in the Distille gardens with Darren.

We sat on the verandah chatting about everything and nothing but the time was "Diamond".

The last place I wanted to be was in the office trying to summon up enthusiasm for something I know ends for me in 10 working days.

My international colleagues are away on leave before coming back to a "world of pain" here when they will relocate the radio station from it's present location to (OPSEC).

I am just the babysitter so to speak ;)

Escape 2.
After lunch (still trying to find that that has got up and gone) a phone call informed me that the route I had requested to fly back "home" had been approved.

I collected said approval and delivered it to the Travel Office.

Escape 3.
Now crashed on the proverbial "scratcher" in the dark at 2120hrs in my container, window open with the slightest of breezes (I hate the AC at night) and the shine of a security lamp bouncing of my walls.

I am in an intimate session with my iPod.

So earbuds fully in place and classics at "full belt" from "ghost-town" by Kode9 to the amazing album "Disraeli Gears" by Cream.

More to follow without a doubt!

Maybe tomorrow I'll try and emulate Steve McQueen in the film "The Great Escape" and try and breach the Walls and Wire.