Post by BigBri on Jan 7, 2005 2:45:20 GMT 2
In the immediate aftermath of the Falklands war, I was based in Port San Carlos, with the RAF Chinook Helicopters. We got on very well with the local population, especially the shepherds. The sense of humour was great, and a kind of rivalry developed toward each others jobs. One day we had to replace a Chinook engine, which was no problem back at base, but out in the wilds with no hangar and no overhead crane ... we hadn't done this before, so we followed the instructions in the "book", disconnect existing engine, take it out, fit new engine, connect it, run and test it, end!
The shepherds thought this was funny, anybody who could read - could do our job!!!
A few days later, myself and "Geordie", my associate, were invited to watch a couple of the shepherds kill some "beef."
This was a bit gruesome, involving the shooting of 2 bullocks, hanging them up by the back legs, splitting the skin right down the stomach (Yeuchhhh!) removing the intestines and any other bits that were not wanted. Then cutting up the useable meat and generally tidying up the carcass, hosing away the blood etc. etc.
We were asked for our thoughts on what we had seen. At this point, I was ready and willing to concede defeat, there was no way on earth that I could do their job - so they had won ...... until Geordie said, "Well it's OK so far, Now let's see you put it back together and make it work!"
The shepherds thought this was funny, anybody who could read - could do our job!!!
A few days later, myself and "Geordie", my associate, were invited to watch a couple of the shepherds kill some "beef."
This was a bit gruesome, involving the shooting of 2 bullocks, hanging them up by the back legs, splitting the skin right down the stomach (Yeuchhhh!) removing the intestines and any other bits that were not wanted. Then cutting up the useable meat and generally tidying up the carcass, hosing away the blood etc. etc.
We were asked for our thoughts on what we had seen. At this point, I was ready and willing to concede defeat, there was no way on earth that I could do their job - so they had won ...... until Geordie said, "Well it's OK so far, Now let's see you put it back together and make it work!"