Diaries From Algeria.

                                                                                      Diaries from Algeria

                                                                                              Foreword.

This is a follow on from the Falkland Diaries which you may have read. A person can also read a fact-fiction account of these in the books. The Lads from The Pleasant ‘B’ Team and From Ice to Sand. Both available from Amazon.

                                                                                              July 1986.

 Monday 28/07/1986.

I am flying out to Algeria tomorrow afternoon. I packed my job up last Thursday, I was with the company about 15 months on two sites. I have to say I am pleased to be leaving them as I haven’t been happy there for a long time.

    I had the interview for this job in London in May but did not hear anything. I knew they were getting in touch with JLB who I had worked for in the Falklands. I told Kingston & Easton, that’s who I will be working for, that I had broken my second contract with them. With not hearing for so long I thought that was it. Maybe they are desperate?  

   K&E contacted me last Tuesday and asked could I go last Friday, which I said no to, but said yes to tomorrow. I have been busy sorting everything out since. I gave less than a weeks’ notice at work, just two days in fact. I like to be fair with people, but they have never been fair to me, so I really don’t care.

  Had five jabs on Friday which did make me feel a bit unwell. Had a good weekend with the family, a bar-b- q at home for the wider family on Saturday and took the wife and children out for a meal last night.

  I hope I am doing the right thing, as always, it’s a bit “sink or swim” with me. We want to buy the house and get a car, it is a good way to save money, tax-free money. But there has been a lot of tears since I broke the news.  

Tuesday – 29/07/1986. Day 1. Travelling.

Flew from Heathrow at 5/00 pm this afternoon, after a delay and got into Algiers about 8/00 pm. My good God, we had some fun and games at the airport when we landed. I got called a “fucking shit” by the passport control man, because I didn’t know what address to put on the form. Then low and behold, he put it in for me.

   There was about ten of us new-starters who came in, but one chap had a problem with his passport. The page where his photo was, had got ripped, so he repaired it with Sellotape. Not a good idea, they took him away, and he hasn’t been seen since.

    Got to the camp about 10/00 pm and was put in a room with another chap. I went to the bar for a beer as I was so hot, it is boiling. When I got in there I meet two chaps I worked with in the Falklands. When I went for the interview in London, there were a few there I knew.

Wednesday – 30/07/1986. Day 2. Hours worked 11.

All of us new-starters got moved to another site at a town called Tizi Ouzou this morning. It about sixty-miles to the east, it took about an hour and a half to get here. There is some carry on with the drivers here, I am glad I wasn’t driving.

  Spent most of the day messing around. But my word is it hot. We are just outside of the town and seem to be in a valley, which seems to make it hotter still. The work hours are from 7/00 am until 6/00 pm with an hour off at lunch time as they say a person needs it with the heat.

   I am told that getting post to and from here is rubbish, so that won’t please me or the family as we do a lot of letter writing. I have met four blokes I know here already. I have got a room to myself at the moment, but don’t know how long that will last.

   I am here as a concrete finisher and I am on less than I was in the Falklands, £11,500 per year and no bonus. But we get paid our overtime a month in arears, which is good. We go home for two weeks every 12 weeks, and of course it is tax-free. We also get a daily allowance of local money, the 'dinar.' 

  The subbie I was working for at home, I was self-employed, and I was paying 30% tax. I had been made up to a ganger, but with no extra money!. When a person is paying 30% tax, they have to claim a tax-rebate at the end of the tax-year, which is good when you get the rebate, but not when you are paying the tax.  

Thursday – 31/07/1986. Day 3. Hours worked 13.

First real day of working today. We poured a concrete floor slab in the morning out in the sun on a 1^st floor slab, then after that a floor slab inside the building which was all power floated. I was really struggling with the heat at one point, but I felt a lot better in the afternoon and being inside was a bit cooler.

   I haven’t had my dinar allowance yet, which means I haven’t got any money. I went in the office to see about it and saw a manager who said he was too busy to sort it then, "tosser!" We are having half day tomorrow,  so I want it for then. Friday is the religious day here, so it is overtime for us if we work, like our Sunday.  

  Our concrete ganger Bobby let us away a five as we had a very short lunch break. He said he would pay us until six. Just getting to know the other lads in the gang, they seem okay up until now, mainly north easterners.

 Hours worked for July 24 = 24.

Overtime = 4 hours.

                                                                                               August.

Friday – 01/08/1986. Day 4. Hours worked 7.

It is the holy day here, a day of rest, well a half day of rest for me anyway. I went down to the town with Peter in our gang this afternoon. I worked with him in the Falklands, I have to say I didn’t have a lot of time for him there, I have changed my mind in the short time I have been working with him here. We spent hours just walking around, looking for a shop to buy cigarettes as they have any on the camp. The only ones a person can get here are called 'Chillia,' most of them fall apart when you pull them out of the packet, but it’s better than nothing and they are very cheap.

   I digress. We walked around for ages with no luck, a lot of shops were closed. As we were about to give up, I made a chap understand what I wanted by making smoking actions and he took us to a back of a shop that looked closed at the front, but it was open at the back, so we got some. I must say I didn’t go much on the town. And people were just looking at us everywhere we went.

   I was boiling when I got back, so I went for a dip in the pool we have got here, I couldn’t stop shaking when I got out, so I went and got in bed for an hour until dinner time. I haven’t brought a radio out with me which I really miss.

Saturday – 02/08/1986. Day 5. Hours worked 10.

Been another very hot day, again, mid-morning I was wilting, but felt a lot better in the afternoon. I’ve got a new cellmate, Brian a Scotsman, (photo above) there are a lot of them here, but he lives in England. He seems okay up to now, he has just come out. We also got a new lad started in our gang, Gordon. He had trousers on this morning, then came out after lunch in just a pair of shorts, he looked like a milk bottle. After an hour or so he was dying and went to his room, we didn’t see him again.

   It seems more like a Monday than a Saturday. I got 15 days dinar today, 350. I am playing pool for the concrete gang tonight. I told them I could not play, I think they just want someone to make the numbers up. Bobby our ganger has been off most of the day with bad guts, he really didn’t look good a one point. 

Sunday – 03/08/1986. Day 6. Hours worked 13.       

Been a funny Sunday, working until 8/30 this evening, still its all tax-free overtime, and that’s what I am here for. God it seems hotter every day, it must be well over 100-degrees, and not a cloud in the sky. The wind is so hot, I think it is blowing from the Sahara Desert, my lips are all drying up, it was because of the cold in the Falklands, it is the other way around here! Five men had to be taken off the site today because of the heat, one of them was Gordon in our gang.

  I put some washing in this morning, got it back this afternoon, one and a half pair of socks were missing and two pair of underpants. Also, I had 40 fags nicked from my bedside cabinet, that has got to be the Raghead (they are called that because they all wear turban like headwear) cleaner. I will sort it out tomorrow. A person has to watch the bottles of drink, beer or soft drinks you buy here as there are a lot of foreign bodies floating around in them.

Memo – Vince.

Vince was at one point in my gang in the Falklands, and now we are in the same gang again, two or so years on. He can be very lazy at times and that winds the other lads up a lot, that’s why I moved him on before.

   He can talk like you wouldn’t believe, God can he bend your ear when he gets going. Most of the time he goes on about sex, I mean all the time. He comes from Leicester, and is split up from his wife. He was telling me he went to a ‘bordello’ (brothel) in Algiers the other week, it cost him 500 dinars, which is about £77. He must be mad, well he is! 

Monday – 04/08/1986. Day 7. Hours worked 11.

Hasn’t been as hot today, but still very warm. I finished on time tonight.  The lads were still finishing a ring beam when Vince and I finished floating a floor slab, we went to help but Bobby said there was nothing for us to do, but Vince stayed anyway, I went for an early shower.

   I haven’t had any post yet, I have been told that the deliveries are not good at all. Gordon the new lad who started with us has jacked, he said he can’t stand the heat, it’s too much for him.

  Got my underpants and one pair of socks back, after I went looking for them, but didn’t get my fags back, won’t see them again. I have reported it.

Tuesday – 05/08/1987. Day 8. Hours worked 10.

Another hot day, a bit cooler this afternoon which was nice. I am going into Tizi tonight after work for a few hours with Bobby and the lads. I didn’t fancy it, and didn’t think I would be going back so soon, but Wolfie (who I work with. He was also in the Falklands, but I didn’t know him there) talked me into it. Hasn’t been such a hard day as we didn’t have a slab on.

   The local workers went on strike today, I am not totally sure what it was about, I think it was somehow to do with traveling time. It got sorted, in their favour, I believe, but they didn’t come back today. One of the local lads I work with is trying to teach me French, he has good English. I am picking up some words which will come in handy. I have managed to get hold of a bedside lamp which will be good, not bumping about in the dark and will also be good for reading.

Wednesday – 06/08/1986. Day 9. Hours worked 14.

Hot and busy day, no floor slabs but worked until 8/00 this evening. I have been working my money out, some might say it’s a bit late for that. As I said before I am on less than in the Falklands and no bonus. I have retention to pay, but that is only for 3-months, so that’s not too bad. Talking to the lads the overtime is there a lot and already over the 7 working days I have worked 17 hours extra, and I will say once again, tax-free, which makes it all worthwhile. So, I am here, “just get on with it lad, and stop whinging!!!”

   Went down to Tizi last night with the lads, I don’t think much of it, there’s a smell of sewage in most areas of the town. A person has to wear trousers in the town and can’t wear shorts. I am now down to 4 pair of socks, God only knows where the others have gone? 

Thursday – 07/08/1986. Day 10. Hours worked 14.

Hot again, but it is noticeable that the evenings are getting a bit cooler. Worked until 8/00pm again tonight, long days, but it puts the time in and of course more money in the bank.

  We are working tomorrow morning, I am looking forward to the afternoon off. Brian my roommate gave me a book to read, a spy thriller, which I am getting into, it is years since I have read a good book.

  Wolfie spends most of his time winding up or rowing with Vince, I can see them coming to blows yet. Vince is such a lazy sod, and I do like Wolfie, but he does go over the top with him.

   Photo above is the pool in our camps compound.

Friday – 08/08/1986. Day 11. Hours worked 5.

Another hot day, only worked this morning and had a few hours sleep this afternoon. Had a couple of beers last night, but wasn’t out long, Thursday night is now my new Saturday night, but with working most Fridays I can’t stay out long. Also, I have got very little money, I am trying to get a sub but they have no UK money at the moment. The dinar they give us just about covers my fags, a person can change up Starling with the locals but a person has to take out the country the same amount of money they put on the declaration form when they came in, unless you have proof you changed it in a bank.

   The site hours are being extended tomorrow from 10-hours, 7/00am to 6/00pm with an hour’s lunch to, 6/30am to 8/00pm, with the same break, we don’t always get an hour if we are floating a slab. They are long days, but again, it’s why I am here.

Saturday – 09/08/1986. Day 12. Hours worked 14- ½.

Hot this morning, but clouded over this afternoon and later on there was a small shower, the first rain I have seen since I have been here.

   One of the two new lads we have in our gang, George, was really dying today with the heat, so in the end he got sent back to his room. His roommate then told us that George had drunk two bottles of wine yesterday, that didn’t go down very well.

   Got a new ganger today, Iain, (photo above) he is a Scots lad, he has been here before he has just come back from his first leave. He seems okay.

   Haven’t had any post yet, and I was always moaning about the Falklands post. Been really busy today and I am totally worn out, its 9/00 on a Saturday night and I am in bed, I would have been out at this time on a Saturday night in the Falklands.

 

Sunday – 10/08/1986. Day 13. Hours worked 14- ½.

Cor, what a day, just didn’t stop all day. Laying the concrete floor slabs, then power floating them, I have just got in. George who went sick today, he crapped his pants today, I mean he really did, so he had to go off again. He not much of a worker, Wolfie thinks he has not done any concreting before. George is fairly overweight which is not good in this heat, and of course working out in it.

   There are bats flying around the camp everywhere at night. One of the lads nicked himself shaving in the showers and was bleeding, his mate said to him, “the bats will get you on the way back to your room!” So, he covered his head with a towel and ran back, he fell over and cut his knee!  

Memo – Wolfie. Photo below.

He had in fact worked in the Falkland’s around the same time as me, he was a little behind me, I think he went out in April 1984, while I had gone December 1983. Our paths must have crossed many times, but we did not know each other. He is from Durham, in the north east. He is well over six-foot tall and has very long grey hair, white as he calls it?

    He is a very good, hard worker, when people work hard as a rule they get on with each other, and get pissed off with the lazy ones. We also have a very similar sense of humour. While he is not in charge he will put people in their place, he has never said anything to me as I always get on with the work, but he does make me laugh when he gets on to the others. And as I am always one of the last to finish at night, as I am finishing the slabs as a rule, he will always come and see if I need a hand. 

   He seems to have worked nearly all around the world, a bit like Phil Goodall in the Falklands. You mention somewhere and he says, oh, I worked there at such-a-such time. He’s a genuine, nice bloke.

Monday – 11/08/1986. Day 14. Hours worked 13- ½.

Been an overcast day, by no means cold, in fact the hot wind has been blowing again. Been another really busy day, finished at “8 bells” as Wolfie would say.

   Brain a chippie from Newcastle I sat next to on the plane coming over, has just come in for a chat, he had a plaster on his leg from when he fell over last week, he asked me to pull it off, which I did. It was only a small graze.

   Brian, my roommate is out at a birthday party, he has leant my glass, as a person can then let the floating bits settle at the bottom, you can’t see them through the dark green glass of the bottles. I wonder what sort of state he will be in when he gets in. He drinks a lot, he is in the bar almost every night of the week. Almost out of dinar, I think I will just have enough for fags until our next payment.

Tuesday 12/08/1986. Day 15. Hours worked 13- ½.

Not happy tonight as Wolfie and I are being moved tomorrow. George and Terry in our gang had been sent to pipe up a water well. It is 130 meters deep, and not only have they totally messed it up, but they have also dropped the pump down it, so we have to sort out tomorrow, and they are coming back on the concrete. What is funny is that the lads are now calling the, “Ding and Dong.” As in the nursery rhyme, “Ding don, bell, pussy is in the well.” 

   Been overcast all day and we had a really heavy storm this afternoon, it ruined the floor slab we were doing, but we got it back, in the end.

   I am sending some letters in the local post today to see how long it takes. All the other post I have sent up until now have been with lads going on leave who post them when they get to Heathrow. I was thinking today time is going okay, then I thought, hold on a tick, you have only been here two weeks. It does seem longer, but it is home after 3 months and not six or seven like the Falklands.

Wednesday – 13/08/1986. Day 16. Hours worked 14.

Again, an overcast day but very hot, for a change, ha-ha. Got three letters from the wife today, she is also sending me a new cheque book, which she has said she has sent it, but I haven’t got it yet, that’s a bit of a worry. The Irish GF, Mick picked up the post for me from the base camp at Reghaia, where I spent the first night here, so that cheered me up a lot.

   Each night after work of late a couple of us have been going in Wolfie’s cabin for a bottle of pop, a smoke and of course a chat and a wind down. With us working such long hours there is no time to be bored and it takes a person’s mind off home. And it has also been good meeting a lot of new people, which I have always enjoyed, hearing about where they come from, etc. It’s our Saturday night tomorrow, which has come around very fast.

Thursday – 14/08/1986. Day 17. Hours worked 13- ½.

Been another overcast day, but it has been a lot hotter than of late. Been really busy, rushed off our feet all-day. Wolfie and I sorted the well out yesterday, I had to be lowered down the well to get the pump out, then pipe it up. It was a long way down, hot and wet, but we sorted it. We did an extra floor slab today as they did not do any with Wolfie and I away yesterday.

  I am totally worn out but as it’s our Saturday night I am going out for a beer. We got our dinar’s tonight which is good. I am going to Algiers tomorrow with Bobby and Iain after work, we are going into the town first then to the airport in the evening to pick some lads up. Bobby’s son and some of his mates are stating. We have also to pick up our project manager who is coming back from leave. His and Iain’s wife have been friends for years, they live near each other in Scotland. Dave, the manager got Iain the job here, but they had never met before Iain got here.

   Roommate Brian woke me up in the early hours, he was banging on the wall next door and shouting at them as they were having a party. He went around to sort them out, then came back two hours later, totally pissed!  

   Photo of me power floating a first floor slab above.

Friday – 15/08/1986. Day 18. Hours worked 7.

Been very hot and sunny, worked until lunch time then went to Algiers, just got back, 9/30. Had a nice day. I phoned home, the wife was up the local shops, which are not far away, so daughter Claire ran up and found her, she was puffing like mad when she got back, but we had a good chat. They are all going away on holiday on Saturday, which I would have been going on had this not come up. She got the flowers I sent as it is our wedding anniversary on Tuesday.

   I drove there, well to Reghaia then Iain drove the rest of the way, it was the first time I had driven on the other side of the road. Got some more mail at the base camp, including my cheque book, which is good. All the lads we picked up had been drinking all day, including the project manager who was well pissed. Coming out of Algiers, Dave told Iain to go the way he told him, “as I have worked here for donkeys’ years and know it like the back of my hand.” Iain did as he was told, he took us up a dark road, then the next thing we knew we were going the wrong way up a motorway, Iain span the mini bus around and got us off the road before we all got killed. Thank God I wasn’t driving. 

Saturday – 16/08/1986. Day 19. Hours worked 14- ½.

A very hot day, but we did two floor slabs inside today which makes it a lot better, so it wasn’t too bad. Bobby’s lad who started today had to be taken to the medical centre as he passed out with the heat.

   My flight date home has gone up on the notice board today, Friday 17^th October, which doesn’t seem that far away. In fact, it was nine weeks yesterday, not that I am counting, ha-ha!

   Got another four letters today, which is always good news. The bar has run out of beer and won’t be getting any until Monday as it is a bank holiday weekend here, not that we get any time off, we were working until 9/00pm tonight. It’s all work and sleep here, all work and no play make’s Jack a dull boy. Or so the saying goes. 

Sunday – 17/08/1986. Day 20. Hours worked 13- ½.

Oh boy, what a day! It’s just so hot, and we were doing a six slab. A six slab is a complete first floor of the barracks we are building. They are about 12 metres wide by 40 metres long, on a tin metal decking, which is open to the baking sun. It is like a frying pan. It is power float finished, but I have to say, in all my years doing this job, I have never had concrete go off (hard) so fast.

   I have had more socks disappear, my roommate has given me a new pair he had, and some foot powder, as my feet are red raw. I was working in just my underpants this afternoon as I was frying. There is a notice in the canteen saying, “not to,” but oh boy, was I hot. Anyway there was no one near where I was working. The batteries have run out on my work watch, so I am wearing my good one now, the one I brought in the Falklands, just don’t want to bugger it up.

Monday – 18/08/1986. Day 21. Hours worked 11.

Been another hot, but also very windy day. We haven’t had much work, on which always makes time drag, I hate it. I had a vaccination today, with another to come next week. I did feel awful after it, so fair play to him, Bobby let me get away at 4/30. Mind you I don’t think that would have been the case had we have been busy.

   Getting away early gave me a chance to catch up on my letters and to have a bit of a rest. I have been totally worn out of late, mind you we all have been. They get there money out of you this lot, push-push-push! We were pushed hard in the Falklands, but I really think it is harder here.

   We have a day in and out of the sun tomorrow, and ground floor and first floor slab. I hope the wind dies down a bit as not only does the concrete go off so fast but all the crap and dust flying around is unreal. Not only is a person blinded and covered in dust, it also ruins the slabs.

Tuesday – 19/08/1986. Day 22. Hours worked 13- ½.

Another hot and windy day, but a bit cooler than of late which is nice, but still that bloody wind. My lips and face are cut to bits because of it. I had the same in the Falklands because of the cold wind, now it is the other way around.

  Vince is in trouble. He was in the town last night, on the lookout for women. He has to go to the office today. Duke the night watchman, who is a tosser, reported him as he got in at 2/00am this morning.

   A pair of my pyjama trousers have gone missing from my room now, you can’t leave anything laying around. There is beer in the bar again. I think I might treat myself to one, as it is my wedding anniversary.

Wednesday – 20/08/1986. Day 23. Hours worked 14.

Another hot day but I have been inside all-day, which is a lot cooler, the concrete does not go off so fast inside as it does in the open and that takes the pressure off. Its funny, all the other times in my life with the power floating, we are waiting for the concrete to go off, which can make for some very long days and nights. One does not have to wait here.

   The “shits” are doing the rounds, I have been okay up until now, lets hope I am not talking too soon. We have been told that now they have more concreters here we are going to be made into two gangs, as we have a new batching plant (to make the concrete) going up soon. I don’t know who’s going to be in what gang yet. No doubt Bobby will have his lads and mates. I really don’t care.

  Wolfie wanted me to have the day off this Friday and go with him and Tommy Duffy the chippie foreman to Constantine. It’s a long way, so I said “no.”   

Thursday – 21/08/1986. Day 24. Hours worked 12.

I am fed up with saying, “bloody hot again.” But guess what? “Bloody hot again” in fact, burn your eyeballs out! We have had a video player delivered. We have a telly in the bar, but of course it only gets local telly. Mind you we have only got 12 videos, better than nothing I suppose. 

   Wolfie is not going out tomorrow after all. Tommy Duffy told the project manager he was having the day off (a rest day, we have to work a flat 60 hours, and we all do at least that in five days) and was told he could not as they needed the carpenters to work and he had to be here to supervise them. That’s not bloody fair.

   The nights and the mornings are drawing here. It is dark by eight in the evening. It is my families last day on holiday tomorrow, I hope they have had a good time. I got a load of post tonight which is always good.

Friday – 22/08/1986. Day 25. Hours worked 10- ½.

Been working all day, power floating two large slabs. It’s all overtime and more tax-free money in the bank, get it while you can son.

  Another hot day, but it is cooling down nicely now. The bar is running out of beer again. They only have ten case per session, which for the amount of men here and the piss heads of course, that is nothing.

   I am doing my own washing at the moment, but it’s not going well up until now. I put a pair of jeans in over an hour ago and according to the dial it has still got half an hour to go.

   Finished the book I was reading, I enjoyed it very much. I must reply to a letter from Tony the welder who I worked with in the Falklands. He’s a good lad, and did in fact put me on to this job.

    Found some of my odd socks in the odds and sods basket in the laundry.

Saturday – 23/08/1986. Day26. Hours worked 15.

Cor, what a day, long, hot and hard. They have almost given us a free hand with the overtime, as there is so much concrete to be done here. And oh boy, is Bobby putting us through it. We have been non-stop all day, apart for food and toilet breaks. It was gone 9/00pm when I finished. I had to float one slab on my own in the dark, it was a total joke. Still I heard that Spurs won their first game of the season, which is always good news.

    I am totally rotten with bites, like loads of lads. Of course, I am in just shorts nearly all day, so that is most of a person’s body exposed to the sun and wind but also to the flying things around here. I mean there are some big things that fly around and land on a person, and when they bite they often draw blood, it’s like getting bitten by a bloody dog.

Sunday – 24/08/1986. Day 27. Hours worked 13- ½.

Been another hot day, but didn’t have as much on as yesterday, which made a change, but we were still busy. At this rate I can see me spending my two weeks leave in bed, recovering from this lot.

  It is harder to fill the pages in the diary here as I don’t get to hear as much as I did in the Falklands. Mind you this is on one site, where as over there, we had over 2,000 people at one point and there was always some rumour or another going around. It was in fact the largest ongoing construction project in the world at that time.

  I might go and watch our dart team play later. Mind you they seem to lose every time they play darts or pool!

Monday – 25/08/1986. Day 28. Hours worked 14. Bank holiday ha-ha!

Well I have said it before and will no doubt say it a lot more, it has been a long, hot, hard, day, boring, init? Had another injection today, which now takes me up until November, which I am very pleased about as they really hurt. It is for Hepatitis A. It is in the back of your leg right at the top, and a person can hardly walk after it.

   I got a new book to read, The Parodical Daughter, by Jeffery Archer. It is a follow up to Kane and Able, which I saw on telly at home and enjoyed very much, so I am looking forward to it.

   I went to watch our lads play darts last night, and I was slagging them off when I wrote in this last night, well surprise, surprise they won 5-0. They played well. The two lads who started after me, Terry and George are good. Mind you I am pleased George is good at something, ha-ha!   

Tuesday – 26/08/1986. Day 29. Hours worked 13- ½.

The same as every day, weather wise, so I am going to have a break today and not say it. Some of the lads who came after me have been given their passports back for some reason. I haven’t had mine, maybe they are not going to let me go home? That was a joke, I hope?

   A wall the lads concreted the other day turned out really badly, I mean a lot of holes in it, (this is known in the industry, as honeycomb, see photo above). I was sent by Bobby to make it good, it wasn’t easy and still doesn’t look great, it may look better when its dried out? But the lads got a lot of stick off the other treads about it, which didn’t go down well with Bobby, he doesn’t seem to take criticism very well.

   I am going to catch up on my letter writing tonight so I can give them to one of the lads on Friday when they go home. I have also got a tax form to fill out. Then I will make a start on the new book. Oh, I can’t go without saying, long, hot, hard day. There, done it!  

Wednesday – 27/08/1986. Day 30. Hours worked 13- ½.

Just finished, well just come out of the shower and I am totally done in. Another long, hot, hard, day! I am going to get my hair cut by the batcher driver in a minute. I have been warned against it by a few lads, but it is such a mess I have to do something about it. What makes it worst is the dust and sand flying around most of the time.

  Mick one of the foremen was leaving today, end of contract and he is not coming back. He had sandwiches put out in the bar later last night so I went over after work and had a beer with him. I haven’t known him long, but he seemed okay.

  Another week nearly over, I must say time is just flying in, thank God. It looks like we will be working all day this Friday.

Thursday – 28/08/1986. Day 31. Hours worked 11- ½.

Yet another hot busy day. Well the morning was very busy but we slacked off a bit after lunch, so I finished early, if a person can call 6/00pm early?

   Getting some money changed up, as I don’t have many dinars left after lending some out. It is our Saturday night so I will properly have a beer later on, if my guts are felling better that is. They have been playing up all afternoon. I have also had a toothache for two days now. Iain gave me some strong pain killers after work which has eased it a fair bit.

    I got my hair cut last night, it is fine. My sister Jean cuts my hair at home and it’s the same as that. I will get him to do it every now and then. Can’t be bad for two bottles of beer!                                                                                                                                        

Friday – 29/08/1986. Day 32. Hours worked.

Hot, long, day, again! Worked until 5/30 and that is on a rest day, not much rest here, I can tell you. And of course, all the overtime here is at flat rate, like it was in the Falklands. Sometime they book you extra hours, but not very often.

  There are a lot of drunks wandering around here this evening, should I say staggering. It’s nothing new as the bar opens at one on a Friday, some of the lads don’t even eat until night time. They finish at one, then it in the bar. They will no doubt be a party in ‘Happy Valley’ (they have a sign over 3 cabins like a bar) tonight as a few of their lads are coming back off leave. Mind you there is a party in there most nights.

   My feet are playing up, they are very sore, the skin is peeling in places. I am going to tot my over time up for the month in a minute. Must have made a few quid, and of course we get it a month in arears here, not like the other place! 

Saturday – 30/08/1986. Day 33. Hours worked 11.

Not so hot today, it was overcast all day, but a lot nicer to work in. Not so busy today, so all in all a nicer easier day.

   Brian my roommate was drinking all day yesterday. He woke me up about 1/00 this morning when he came in and fell over. I had to help him get in bed. There were more blokes drunk here yesterday than I had seen since I have been here for some reason. I hear there was a bit of trouble at Happy Valley last night, don’t know too much info at the moment.

   Vince was walking around the site holding hands with one of the local workers today. He is a worry that bloke. With saying that, a lot of the males here seem to do that? Got letters and some tobacco off the wife today, all I need now is some cigarette papers?  

Sunday – 31/08/1986. Day 34. Hours worked 13- ½.

Funny day for the weather, had a really heavy storm, and nearly lost a slab because of it, but we got it back.

   Also, been a funny day for other things. Bobby had a go at me because he found out the tiler foreman had asked me to work with them, they are losing some lads soon. Then he had another go at me because I went for dinner and left a slab I was finishing for a little while. It was okay, God that bloke can get well wound up at times.

   I had ordered and paid for 200 fags up front, and heard they were in the bar, went to get them and they had been given to another person, not happy about that.

    Dinar and pay slip night, got the first but not the second. I have been told that my passport has been mislaid in the office. That’s a worry.

    Brian the lad I came out with, wanted to go out for a drink tonight and said he would knock for me at 9/00. I gave up at 9/45 and got in bed, yes, five minutes later he turned up. I didn’t bovver.

    Jackie, a Scottish chippie got sacked today for being drunk too much and missing time off work. He is a nice bloke and I got on well with him, but he is on the piss nearly every night, and was totally arseholed in the canteen at 6/00am this morning. I know he has had a fair few warnings. He has only got himself to blame!

    Last day of the month, got the pay slip in the end, but it had a different company name on it. The lads said that happens sometimes, as they are like the parent company. Still it had my name on it, that’s the main thing. Should have been paid in the bank today?

Hours worked for August = 379.

Overtime hours = 103- ½. 

                                                                         September.

Monday – 01/09/1986. Day 35. Hours worked 13- ½.

Guess what? I can say I am going home next month, and I can’t wait! Another overcast day, but still warm. Bobby our ganger/foreman seems to be on some kind of “downer” he is not in good form at all, but I suppose it gets to us all at some point.

   Well that’s another month over. It’s a terrible thing to do, it is like wishing your life away, but it can be like that when a person is away from their family like this. 

   Kerman, a local lad who has been working with us, he has been teaching me French, in return for me teaching him to use the power float. I think his power floating skills have benefited most out of this deal! Anyway, he left today, he is going to university. He came over to say goodbye this afternoon, I went to shake his hand, but he kissed me on both cheeks instead, you could have knock me down with a feather! The lads all thought it was funny. I have to say he was a nice lad and had really good English.

Tuesday – 02/09/1986. Day 36. Hours worked 13- ½.

A hot day, but cold when we started at 6/30 this morning. Jim Sledding the new general foreman has jacked. He was made up to GF last week after Mick Sweeny finished his contract, but it seems out of the blue they have brought a new chap out who is taking his place, and Jim has to go back to his old job. I like Jim, and he has always been okay with me. I have to say I don’t blame him, if it was going to be temporary they should have told him that.

  I have seen the new chap, but have not talked to him yet, he only started today. He is a Scotchman, mind you there are not many here who are not! A few of the lads have worked with him over the years at home. At the moment I have heard mixed reviews on him. Some say he is all right, the other say his a, well let say the word starts with c, and leave it at that. Only time will tell?    

Wednesday – 03/09/1986. Day 37. Hours worked 13- ½.

Another hot day. Post in today, I got five letters which is always great, so long as they are good letters that’s is?

   Bobby fell out with his son Stewart today. He went to his room mid-morning as he said it was “too hot to work,” and never returned. God, Bobby would go mad, if one of us did that? We are working until eight at night now, we came up a bit early as we had finished only to find the project manger and new GF standing at the gate. I saw them first and got back to warn the lads. One of the lads said he knew where there was a hole in the fence, so we got in there.

    I talked to the new GF today, very briefly. His name is Jon Trill, he said he was dying in the heat, and he is only walking around. He seemed okay, but it’s a bit early to judge him at the moment. 

Thursday – 04/09/1986. Day 38. Hours worked 13- ½, 

Been working inside all day on the slabs there. A hot day, but it does make a difference not being in the sunshine all day.

  Had chance to look at the first full pay slip yesterday, I only got three days last month. After stoppages I got £836.84p. It will be in another two months before I get any overtime to talk of, so that will give me some idea what it will be like, and that will be that last month of the retention also.

  One of the lads who was on leave has been let go as not suitable, which is bad luck for him, but good luck for me. He had an idea he may not be back so he told his roommate that if that happened to sell his radio for £10. Brian my roommate put me on to it, so I am made up about that.

Friday – 05/09/1986. Day 39. Hours worked 11.

Been another long, hot day, worked until 3/30. Well what a night last night. While we didn’t finish until 8/00pm and I did intend having an early night, but I ended up at Jackie’s going away party. I had far too much to drink and didn’t get in bed until about 3/00am. Bobby came into the room and woke me up at 6/50am, I had over slept. 

  The thing is I am totally pissed off as Bobby told me I had been given a warning from the new GF. First of all, it is overtime today, then all the hours I have worked since I have been here, and we have been non-stop! Loads of blokes did not make it today, I went in a bit late and got a warning. I wonder if Bobby instigated it? I am not happy!

 I am off out after dinner tonight with Iain and Wolfie for a drive up the mountains. Photo of me above.

Saturday – 06/09/1986. Day 40. Hours worked 13- ½.

Hot again! Some lads went out yesterday and the van broke down. The office ended up sending some lads out to find them, they got back at nearly midnight. Tommy Duffy got a warning yesterday for not working, so he went and got drunk then took a Land Rover down the town with some lads with him. Will have to see what happens there?

   Pat, one of the chippies’ father died yesterday so he flew out this morning. I saw him when he went to the office to take the phone call and he couldn’t walk in s a straight line, as he was so drunk.

  Went up the mountains last night, I really enjoyed it and took some good photos, I just hope they come out. It made a nice change.

   My roommate Brian was telling me that there was a near riot in ‘Happy Valley’ last night, and that our foreman Bobby got a punch in the face. What goes around, comes around!

Sunday – 07/09/1986. Day 41. Hours worked 13- ½.

Another hot day. Yesterday afternoon I nipped back to the room to get the football half-times. While I was in there our cleaner came in and went into Brian’s bedside cabinet. I said “what are you doing?” she said “soap, I need soap.” I said, “no soap, go.” She then said, “shampoo.” I said, “no shampoo, get out,” and pointed to the door. She shouted something at me, which I haven’t got a clue what it was, then went out slamming the door as she went, Thieving sod.

    I went into breakfast late and was looking at the notice board with Wolfie when the project manager called me over and said, “this is an ashtray, (he held it up) you put fag ends in it, not on the floor.” I had to bite my tongue, as if I had said anything I would have been out of here on the way home. I don’t think he likes me at all. The best of it is I didn’t even realise I had done it.

    Jimmy a chippy from Liverpool passed out at work yesterday and has been sent home. He is another who seems to be forever drunk and also seems to eat very little. A combination that won’t do anyone any good. Anyway, his contract has been cancelled and he has been told to reapply when he is better. This lot know how to look after the blokes?

   A steel erector fell off a table he was dancing on, on Friday and hurt his arm, he has now been made night watchman!  

Monday – 08/09/1986. Day 42. Hours worked 12- ½.

Hot this morning, but overcast this afternoon with the odd shower, but still warm. Some of the ‘Happy Valley’ lads had a warning from Dave Stewart the project manager about their parties and drinking. I do know they worked for him in Scotland some years ago. I really don’t think my face fits in here with Stewart. I just want to get my time in and keep my nose clean. I am the only southerner here, let alone Londoner on the site.

 Got my flight home confirmed today, it’s Friday 17^th October, land at Heathrow sometime in the afternoon. I have been putting post cards and photos up in the room to try and cheer it up a bit.

  Over all, the time has gone okay and I can now see my leave coming up. Wolfie goes this Friday, when he’s back Bobby goes a week after that. Then when he is back, guess who goes???

Tuesday – 09/09/1986. Day 43. Hours worked 12- ½.

A sort of overcast day and turned a bit colder in the afternoon. We didn’t have a lot on this morning, but were flat out this afternoon.

  There’s a lad who was working on this site before I came. He is in jail here in Tizi, because he stole a generator off site and sold it to a local lad. The chap didn’t pay him, as he said it wasn’t his to sell. He then beat the crap out of him. There was another lad also in on it, but he went home. They will not “try” the lad who is here until the other one comes back. In the mean time he is not getting any food or drink in jail. The law here is that, if you can’t pay for it, a person only gets bread and water. Kingston & Easton have washed their hands on him, so the lads are having whip rounds for him, and one of his mates takes it up to him. That is just not good. 

Wednesday – 10/09/1986. Day 44. Hours worked 13.

Another hot day. I would like to think the weather might hold until I go on leave, he says with fingers crossed. I got five letters and two newspapers in the canteen with a note on them from the project manager saying, I was having to much post sent through the head office and it had to stop. I decided to go and see him. To be fair he was okay and said, “it’s the head office which had complained.” I have now told the wife she will have to send them through the local post, which could take for ever.

   Had another fall out with Danny the Scots JCB driver. God he is such a grumpy, stroppy bugger. He is mates with the Happy Valley lot, the ground workers seem to get everything their way here, and I am a real outsider, in more ways than one.

Thursday – 11/09/1986. Day 45. Hours worked 13.

Cloudy at times but mostly hot and sunny. We are having tomorrow off. They are doing a service on the batching plant so there will be no concrete. Bobby has sorted a mini bus for us all to go to Algiers. It will be the first day I have had off since I have been here, 44 days, can’t wait. And of course, I can have a lay in.

   As Wolfie is going on leave tomorrow and it is also my birthday, and it’s our Saturday night and the fact we are not working tomorrow, it all adds up to one thing, a night in the bar!

   The wife has said in her last letter that she is finding it harder this time than when I was in the Falklands. I am trying to switch off to it as I am missing the family so much, again! Still going home more often should help. I wouldn’t do six or seven months at a time again. 

Friday – 12/09/1986. Day 46. Day off.

A rainy start to the day, but brightened up nicely later. Got rotten drunk last night, not that I can remember much of it. Still that was for my birthday, all be it is today, 34 now’ the years seem to be going faster and faster. Danny the JCB driver, who I always seem to be rowing with, had his birthday yesterday, a day before me, but he is older than me.

  There was a fight in the bar between Tommy Duffy the chippie foreman and Mick Farrow the finishing foreman. I have been told Farrow has been sacked, but don’t know if that is true or not yet?

   Had the day out in Algiers which was really good and I enjoyed it very much, it made a nice change. We walked around the ‘Casbah,' that is a very different life to what we know. Met a lad I worked with in the Falklands, Kipper. He has that name tattooed inside his bottom lip.

   I rang home, which is always good. They are all missing me but over all they seemed okay. Brother-in-law Roy was taken into hospital with a heart problem. He is out now and I think he is okay.

Saturday – 13/09/1986. Day 47. Hours worked 12.

Been another hot day. The ground was totally soaked yesterday because of the amount of rain, but it dried out so fast once the sun got up, it’s like a sauna. Ian one of the Scottish chippies who lives in 'Happy Valley' has been sacked for fighting the other night. It all sounds a bit unfair if what I have heard is true, it sounds as if he is being made a scapegoat, I believe there were a lot of them fighting. That’s if my informant, Brian my roommate has got it right?  

  Rumour is that there are notices going up in all the rooms saying that, drinking, parties and noise in the rooms will not be tolerated and anyone doing this will be dismissed at once. Its about bloody time they cracked down on this, it’s like the Old Wild West here at times.

  Rich my old roommate in the Falklands sent me a load of newspapers today which was great. Five weeks today and I will be home. 

Sunday – 14/09/1986. Day 48. Hours worked 13.

It has been hot again, but I have been finishing slabs inside all day. It’s a lot cooler in there but it is nice to get some sun. It has been a long hard day.

   The dinner I had tonight was the worst since I was in the Falklands, it was crap. I have to say over all the food has been okay, but tonight was very poor. The notices about the parties etc have gone up in every room.

   I have heard that Mick Farrow has been transferred and not sacked, but big Ian has been sacked. I have to say I did think Ian was a real trouble maker, where as Mick wasn’t. I hope Tommy Duffy doesn’t come back here as he can be a nasty bugger at times.

  My roommate Brian, (photo above) who goes to the bar almost every night of the week and drinks a fair bit, is staying in. This is because he and others have been pulled by the project manager, Dave Stewart and given a final warning. They are having a real crack down on the drinking, about time too.  

Monday – 15/09/1986. Day 49. Hours worked 12.

Another hot day, also very hard again, non-stop as most of the days are here. Went with Iain up the mountains behind us to a small village, Iain wanted some things out of the shop there, photo above. As we were driving up all the children were running alongside the van, and some even in front. I really don’t think they have ever really seen white people in some areas around here as so many people just stop and look at us. Another thing, a lot of the men do as they walk around is to hold hands with each other. I am told it’s a sign of friendship?

   Near where we have been working today is the toilet waste tank. The tanker comes and empties it every so often. Oh, boy was it chucking up today, it would take your breath away. Must be time for an empty? 

Tuesday – 16/09/1986. Day 50. Hours worked 11- ½.

Yet again a very hot day. Got paid out with dinar tonight which is always good. Someone put a cowpat (cow dung) on the seat of Bobby’s van today, he saw it before he sat in it, but I think it was a close call.

   Ken the Welsh forklift driver. He is in fact a chippie, I worked with him in the Falkland’s, I get on very well with him. He has been out here a while now, he went on the forklift to help them out. But he told me he is happy to do that. Anyway, he came back off leave last night and brought me a London Evening Standard newspaper and some very badly need toothpaste. It is handy here with lads going on leave nearly all time. If a person needs things, we pay them of course. The last time I saw Ken before coming here was at Joburg airport in January 1985 on our way home and he was “arseholed!”

   One of the cleaners, she is very large. She keeps coming around me and chats me up, as well as she can. The lads all take the “mick” when she does this. She is very, very large and would eat me up in one go!

Wednesday – 17/09/1986. Day 51. Hours worked 11- ½.

A nice hot morning, but got overcast this afternoon but was still very warm. Fell out with Bobby, yet again. He was driving the dumper this afternoon, we were pouring a slab inside. The concrete came out of the dumper and it was rock hard, I shook my head. He got off the dumper and had a right old go at me. I found out later that he was upset as one of his lads had told him he was jacking. “Don’t take it out on me pal!”

   Bobby is very much like that, in so much as, if he has problems with his son or mates, he then takes it on others, i.e. us! With saying that he came in later when I was power floating the slab and started having “the crack.” So, I took that as his way of saying, “it’s over.”

Thursday – 18/09/1986. Day 52. Hours worked 14.

A really hot day, I mean really boiling. This evening we were finishing concreting a ring beam and only needed a small amount to finish it when the truck mixers donkey engine broke down, which meant we could not get the concrete out of the drum. We had to mix the last bit by hand.

   The truck mixer was taken to the fitter’s workshop and we had to clean the mixer drum out, I mean by getting inside as the fitters could not get it running again. You would not believe how hot it was in there, it was unreal. I used a high-pressure hose and a pick and shovel to clean it. I only had a pair of shorts and wellington boots on, I was totally soaked, the sweat was pouring out of me like never before. We were done in and packed up at 8/10pm, Iain said, “I’ll book us until 8/30.” Oh, break the fucking bank, why don’t you mate?

Friday – 19/09/1986. Day 53. Hours worked 11.

My sister Jeans birthday today, a week after mine, but she is four years older than me, less a week of course. Happy birthday sis.

  It was boiling when the sun did get up. Back in the drum of the truck mixer again today. I was totally boiling in there again, but we got it all out and finished for 3/00pm. Going out for a drive with Iain after dinner, just to get away for an hour or so. The photo above is like the drum I had to work in to clean the concrete out of, in the boiling sun! 

  Some of the lads going to the basecamp at Reghaia last night, knocked down a local chap who was drunk and walked out in front of their van. He is not dead, but the hospital did not expect him to last the night. Four weeks today and I will be flying home, it sounds better if I say three weeks next Friday!

Saturday – 20/09/1986. Day 54. Hours worked 12.

Hot again. I went to the room at lunch time and Brian was on his hands and knees looking under my bed. He said, “have you put your flip flops away?” I said, “no.” He said I think our cleaner has got them on.” I went to find her and saw her going in the canteen, and sure enough she had them on.  I went to the camp boss, Dave who pulled her. Well what a row followed! There was roaring shouting, swearing and the other cleaners joined in. I couldn’t understand a word of it, but I know it wasn’t good. She ended up crying and ran out.

  That is how they got ripped, I did wonder as I only use them for a few minutes each night when I go to the showers and they were brand new when I came here. She must have been wearing them for weeks. Later in the day she took our towels away and didn’t give us any new ones. I had to go and get some off Dave. He said, “that’s what you get when you mess with the cleaners Tom!”

  Vince came back last night and brought me an Evening Standard and some soap back.

Sunday – 21/09/1986. Day 55. Hours worked 13.

A warm day after an overcast and cool start to the day. Jon Trill the GF appeared from nowhere tonight as we were on our way up, we were about twenty-minutes early and he pulled us about it. Well Bobby went mad. That is because all the groundworkers who work for the same Glasgow company, Flowers as him, get away with total murder. They get everything they want, they leave early every night and get paid until seven, get in late in the mornings, after being on the piss all night and never get pulled. Bobby was well ranting, He also said, “we are the hardest worked gang in the fucking field and on the lowest money and you lot are on our case all the time.” I don’t think that is the last we have heard of this.

  The chap who was knocked down the other night has died.

Memo – chap in jail.

It seems like the chap who is in jail here in Tizi is now being fed by us, K&E. I am told his family got in touch with their MP and said they would contact the newspapers if they did not help. Dave our office manager now has to take him food up every day.

Monday – 22/09/1986. Day 56. Hours worked 13.

Another hot and busy day, I am really worn out. Bobby wants me to go out for a drink tonight as it is his birthday. I really don’t want to got out but he has been on about it a fair bit. I was in bed at 8/30 last night and did intend to do the same tonight.

   All the charge hands/gangers have been told only to book the hours that people have worked. Some lads are in the canteen showered and changed at 6/30 and have been booking 15 hours. This is mainly the groundworkers, I wonder is this because of the row Bob had with Jon Trill the other day? We only get paid the hours we work.

   Ian Armstrong is getting me a letter so that I can drive here. I drove the other week and didn’t realise I needed a letter. Lucky, I didn’t get pulled or I might have been in the next cell to the other chap! 

Tuesday – 23/09/1986. Day 57. Hours worked 12- ½.

Another hot and busy day. Went out with Bobby and the lads for a drink for his birthday last night and didn’t get in until midnight.

   Brian and I may be moving soon to another room. They have brought some newer cabins over here and they look a lot better than ours. That is because there are now so many more men being sent here. We have put our names down for one so will have to wait and see if we get one or not. Peter the Sparks is wiring them up at the moment.

    Lazy George in our gang got a transfer last week to the floor tilers’ gang, but came back to us today as he had a fall out with them and they got rid of him, must have wanted him to work, ha-ha!

    I put a small bottle of pop on top of the AC (air conditioning unit) today to keep it cool, it vibrated down the back and brunt it out. So, I could be in trouble.  

Wednesday – 24/09/1986. Day 58. Hours worked 12.

Two small lads, John and Jimmy who share a room went in the other night to find that someone had cut the cord on their light so that they could not reach it to turn the light on. Rotten sods.

   Been another hot day, but got very windy this afternoon. Had another row with Bobby today, over the power floating. It ended with me saying to transfer me. I said “we are not getting on, have me moved to another site?” He left at that point, I have not heard anything up until now, but I really don’t want to work for him anymore, he is forever having a go at me.

  Got a postcard from Wolfie tonight who is on holiday in Malta, it looks really nice, on the bottom, it said, D-L-T-B-G-Y-D, that means: Don’t let the bastards grind you down. He is always saying that, well, it might be too late!

Thursday – 25/09/1986. Day 59. Hours worked 11.

Been another hot, busy day. Bobby has been fine with me today, I do think he has released he has been pushing us too hard. He came in this afternoon and said that he had fixed up a trip for us all to go to the bar at the Reghaia base camp tonight. That will make a nice change.

   Charlie Duffy the Scots truck mixer driver, got a bucket of donkey’s crap and mixed it with water and poured over the seat of the engineers Land Rover seat. That would be a real mess.

   Got a package of newspapers and letters off the wife today, they were in the canteen when I went in first thing this morning, a nice surprise and start to the day.

Friday – 26/09/1986. Day 60. Hours worked 8.

An overcast but warm day, I did think it was going to rain a few times, but that never happened. We went out to Reghaia last night, which made a really nice change. I saw a few lads I worked with in the Falklands in there and was having a good old chat with them.

   We got finished at 12/30pm today, which made a nice change. We are going to the airport tonight to pick Wolfie up as he is in today, it will be good to see him. Iain has got a cold, I don’t want to catch that.

   I am driving down to the airport again, I am legal now, with my letter, I just didn’t know a person needed one, and Iain didn’t say anything.  

Saturday – 27/09/1986. Day 61. Hours worked 12- ½.

Another overcast day, but one thing I can say is it’s not cold. Met Wolfie from the airport yesterday evening. He had a really good time in Malta by the sounds of it. He gave me 80 cigarettes. He gave me a present from the island. It is a touch, can-opener, key ring and cigarette lighter all in one, which I am sure will come in very handy here, if the cleaner doesn’t nick it?

   Again, I drove there again. The mini bus we were given had no rear-view mirror and only an offside wing mirror, Iain had to tell me if it was safe to pull out, it was a nightmare, the bus should not be on the road, it would not be at home. The water pump went when we were near the city so we went to Reghaia and got it changed, I let Iain drive after that.

   My feet, well in fact my toes are really hurting. BA, my roommate, his full name BA Robinson, but he is not the signer. I digress, BA gave me some foot powder and odour eaters, which has helped.     

   Worn out again tonight, just haven’t stopped all day. Spurs beat Everton today, which is good.

Sunday – 28/09/1986. Day 62. Hours worked 12- ½.

Overcast again and was on the cooler side at times. Very busy again today. It is like Bobby is “looking for medals,” as the saying goes. He pushes us so much. He does help out and works at times, but he also does a lot of running around. All the lads in our gang are totally done in. Apart from young Davey who hardly does anything.

   My knees are cut to pieces with all the kneeling I am doing in a pair of shorts. I have got a pair of knee pads at home but never thought of bringing them with me.

   We used the concrete pump here for the first time today after it arrived the other day. What a cock up the lads who were laying the concrete made of it. I don’t think these lads have ever used a concrete pump before, and it is not easy if you haven’t. I have done a lot of pump work over the years, so I just went and took over. If I say so myself, it went well after that. Bobby was watching all the time, and it was like he was ready to shout as soon as I made a mistake, but I am pleased to say he never got the opportunity. I think he was happy it went well, but was unhappy he couldn’t have a shout at me, ha-ha!!!  

Monday – 29/09/1986. Day 63. Hours worked 12- ½.

A cooler, cloudy day, but again very busy. Charlie the truck mixer driver was parked near where I was finishing a slab of concrete. When I walked away from it he totally soaked me with the hose from his lorry. I was totally dripping. Later in the day Bobby got a bucket of water and soaked Charlie and Larry who he was talking to. He ran away before they could see him, yes you guessed it. I got the blame!

   My name was on the ‘blacklist’ in the bar because I had not paid my “tick.” I knew I hadn’t had any, I was down for 50 dinars in the book. I went and saw Ian Armstrong who runs the finances for the bar. He believed me and took it off, I think someone used my name, tosser’s.

   This afternoon when I had a few minutes, I went to the fitter’s workshop to get a new petrol can for the power float as the one I had, had a hole in it. When I got there, they were having a cup of tea, and they said, “do you want one?” We don’t get a break in the afternoon, so I said, “yes.” I took the first sip and Bobby walked in. He was going to have a go at me but one of the fitters said, “clam down Bobby, the lads just walked in, here have one yourself.” He did!

Tuesday – 30/09/1986. Day 64. Hours worked 14- ½.

Pissing down all morning, it stopped during the afternoon but started again this evening and is pouring down now. Worked until nine tonight, power floating a slab.

  The roofers are working nights now, they are fixing the tin sheeting. They are not far from us at the moment and the noise they are making is a real racket.

   The big cleaner who has got very friendly with me, told me last night that she has been beaten up by her husband when he was drunk. He made a right mess of her. She had a cut lip, black eyes. He has been locked up, she said they have six children.

   I was going to put some washing in tonight, but I haven’t had last weeks back yet, so, I haven’t got a wash bag to put it in.

Hours worked for September = 362.

Overtime hours = 102.

                                                                                October.

Wednesday – 01/10/1986. Day 65. Hours worked 12- ½.

Another overcast day, but it rained most of last night. Got my pay slip tonight. I have been paid a £100 to much. Wolfie came in my room and we worked it out together, and its right, their wrong that is. BA was in our room at the time and he wasn’t very happy about. It sounds as if there has been a load of mistakes because I hear a lot of lads didn’t get any overtime at all.

  A busy day again, the hours are changing next week again, that’s all I know at the moment. Well that’s another month gone, I can now say I am going home this month. I am now in the fourth month that I have been here.

Thursday – 02/10/1986. Day 66. Hours worked 12.

A very hot day after a cool start, been very busy again. I now see this as the run down to my leave. That is because Bobby goes on leave tomorrow and the day he comes back I go. I will not see him for a month. That won’t hurt at all, how he has been with me at times. Mind you that will leave Iain in charge and I will say that he is like Bobby at times, “it’s his way or no way.” Iain and I have already had words today and Bobby hasn’t gone yet. We are pouring a first floor 8-bay slab on Saturday and we have disagreed the best way to do it. I really don’t think he has done much pump work before. When I was a ganger if we had a awkward job on I used to talk to the lads about it, but not here they don’t.

Friday – 03/10/1986. Day 67. Hours worked 5.

Not bad morning for the weather, a bit of a storm this afternoon, I have been reading since finishing work at lunch time. Had far too much to drink last night, I fell out with George and Davey in our gang last night. They are both so lazy and we (the rest of the gang) have to "carry" both of them all the time, so I told them. Yeah, I have had better ideas. Iain had a go at me this morning about upsetting them. I told him, “get them fucking working like the rest of us then!” Iain goes to church with his wife all the time at home and doesn’t swear or drink, so that didn’t go down too well.

   Bobby went today, two weeks to go!!!  

Saturday – 04/10/1986. Day 68. Hours worked 15- ½.

A really smashing day, until late afternoon. We had poured 3 slabs late on in the day and we were finishing them okay, then at 5/30 it poured down, I mean the heavens totally opened up, bouncing rain! And the wind was blowing a gale as well. We finished at 10/00pm, and it was only then because it poured down again. We had got the slabs almost finished when that happened, it was another real storm. Will work on them in the morning.

  The canteen was still open when we finished so we popped in for a cup of tea. The cooks were cooking a meal for the “wild boar hunters.” who are in fact also local policemen. They sell us the boar, there was one laid out on the tables in the kitchen. It was massive, guess what’s for dinner tomorrow night? Better than chicken which we seem have every other night.

Sunday – 05/10/1986. Day 69. Hours worked 14.

Not a bad day, but turned cold tonight. Worked until 8 tonight. Brian the batcher operator is been asked to come back for a second contract, his first ends in two weeks’ time. Bobby has sorted one of his lads out with the office to get his job while he's away. But Brian has told then he doesn’t think Alan (Bobby's mate) is up to it and that they should put Wolfie on it. I said to Wolfie it sounded as if there was a bit of back stabbing going on there, which didn’t go down well with him at all.

   In the meantime, Wolfie and I were talking this evening in one of the buildings when Stewart (Bobby’s lad) came in, and we stopped talking, we were not talking about him, but he thought we were and said, “you’re talking about me,” and stormed out. How long until my leave?  

Monday – 06/10/1986. Day 70. Hours worked 12- ½.

Overcast and showery day, another busy day, I am totally worn out, again! Well, won’t be long now, nearly in single figures, of days that is, not that I am counting, ha-ha!

   Lads who are going on leave around the time I am, have been called in the office to sign forms and get their paperwork sorted out for coming back. I haven’t been called in yet? I am at the end of the alphabet, but it wouldn’t surprise me if I was let go, as I really don’t think my face fits in here very well. It’s very clicky with all the lads from Flowers who are all in with the management, then you’ve got Bobby and all his family and mates, he never wants to upset them. If I didn’t get asked back I would be pissed off with all the work I have done and the hours I have put.

    I talked to Ian Armstrong the assistant manager about being paid too much overtime, he said, “keep it to yourself Tom, there was such a mess up that they will be really busy just sorting the lads out who didn’t get paid.” We shall wait and see then. 

    Above is some of our gang before Bobby went on leave.

Tuesday – 07/10/1986. Day 71. Hours worked 14.

Hot again today, worked until 8/30 tonight. Jon Trill the GF came around looking at the power floated floors as he said the tilers have been moaning about some of the levels, he said, “they are okay and are within tolerance.” I know Bobby had words with the tilers in the bar the other week about the floors when too much alcohol had been consumed. Not sure what to make of Jon Trill at all, mind you he has been okay with me, so far!

  I haven’t seen one film since I have been here, apart from some Thursday nights (our Saturday) I normally stay in reading. I have an hour most nights which helps me relax a lot. Mind you I am so worn out most nights I can’t wait to get my eyes closed.

   Ken the forklift driver and his roommate have a cricket under there room and it is making a noise all night which keeps them awake. They have tried everything to stop it. Setting a light up under there (all the cabins are stood up on blocks) it did the trick but the camp boss Dave told them it could start a fire. They have also been hosing water under there, stamping on the floor, but it just carries on.    

Wednesday 08/10/1986. Day 72. Hours worked 12- ½.

Pissed down all morning, but turned out to be a nice afternoon. I was talking to Ian Armstrong when he was walking around today, he seems okay. I asked him how much work K&E had on here? He said loads yet and they are in for more.

   Been another busy day, I will have an early night for a change, ha-ha. That’s nothing new for me here. I saw Terry in our gang lose his head this morning with George in our gang who also happens to be his roommate. George came in late last night after being in the bar making a lot of noise, he really got angry with him. Mind you I have that a lot with BA, I must say he has not been bad of late, that’s since he had a talking to from the project manager.

   Not long too go now, must put it out of my mind as much as possible. I must say the last little bit before leave always seems the longest.

A photo of Wolfie and I above.

Thursday 09/10/1986. Day 73. Hours worked 13- ½.

A cloudy morning but turned into a boiler later on. Concreted the second half of the first floor 8-bay today. We didn’t stop all day, finished at 8-bells, as Wolfie would say. Talking of Wolfie he nearly fell off the first-floor deck we were working on. There is no handrail up there, mind you the safety here is as good as it was in the Falklands, ha-ha!  I digress, I turned around after I heard a shout and he had almost walked off the slab backwards. He was hanging onto a steel column, I rushed over and pulled him back, he was bloody lucky.

    Not as bad as that, but I had an accident tonight. When I was finished I came out of the unit and lit a fag up. I sat on the tow bar of the compressor and the timber holding it up fell from under it and sent me flying to the floor, hurting my back.

Photo of me power floating a inside floor slab above. 

Friday 10/10/1986. Day 74. Hours worked 6.

Been a hot day again. Worked this morning then went this afternoon to see Tizi Jets the local football team. It was very good, they beat Oran 6-2. Before the game the second team played and drew 2-2. It was totally packed, I am told it holds 33,000. There is a small grandstand to one side but the rest is open, it is like a very large bowl. It’s is all seated if you can call them seats, they are high concrete steps, could be cold on the backside in the winter. The atmosphere was really good, firecrackers, horns, flags and lots of chanting. Of course, the home team had a good win which makes a big difference. While we were queueing to get in a chap went around a policeman to keep up with his mates, he got hits across the back of his legs with a batten for his troubles.   

   Saw Kerman who used to work with us there, he came over for a chat, he says he is doing well, which I am pleased about as he is a nice lad. Had one beer last night then went for an early night, some chance of that with all the noise outside.

Saturday 11/10/1986. Day 75. Hours worked 12- ½.  

Been a mainly overcast day with spots of rain at times. Davey in our gang has been off with the shits today, not that he was noticed much, for what he does as a rule. I don’t want to be unfair on him as he is young and I really don’t think he has done any heavy work before, he is defiantly not a concreter. He is well overweight which does not help in this heat.

  I hear that George and Vince are being transferred to another site, again I don’t think they will be missed that much.

   Spurs won 1-0 at Liverpool today which is really good. I would like to think I am on a “wind down,” now with only five working days to go. But the way we have been working it is more of a “wind up.” They are trying to see how much they can get out of me before I go, or kill me off, ha-ha!

Sunday 12/10/1986. Day 76. Hours worked 11- ½.

Hasn’t been a bad day, sun at times and some cloud, in fact nice for working out in. And I can say I have worked in every kind of weather over the years. Brian the batcher driver is really trying to not let Alan take over when he goes. I believe there was words spoken between them yesterday and I am told it nearly came to blows. Alan was looking around the batcher and Brian told him to, “f--- off.”

   There is a quiz this coming Wednesday, I am playing for the concrete gang, we are calling ourselves ‘The Hole in the Wall Gang.” Which is taking the piss out of us for the hole in the concrete wall which was done the other week. Bobby wouldn’t like that if he was here, ha-ha!!! It is going to be called ‘A Question of Arrows.’ A long the line of the TV show Bullseye. You have to have a darts player who throws for you, then if you get the question right you get that score.

   I was in the office today getting all my forms filled out for coming back when one of the women cleaners came in and had a row with Dave the office manager. There was a lot of screaming and shouting going on, couldn’t understand a word of it.   

Monday 13/10/1986. Day 77. Hours worked 11.

Been an overcast again today, but the rain kept off. We had no slabs on today, so we were benching manholes instead. For those who do not know what this is, where the pipes come into the manhole, the benching is formed around the pipes, with concrete/sand and cement or garno, this is a hard-wearing concrete. This is so that the foul runs only in the pipes. It has been a nice change doing these as we have still been busy and that’s what I want this week.

   Been waking up at 3/30 every morning for a couple of weeks now and can’t get back to sleep after that, I don’t know what that’s all about?

   Dave Stewart has been on the rampage tonight after some of the lads finished early again, its about time they were put in their place over that.

Tuesday 14/10/1986. Day 78. Hours worked. 12.

Started brightly but clouded over this afternoon. When we screed the concrete bays, we us a vibrating tamp, this has an engine that is driven by petrol on it. We were concreting some ground floor slabs inside this afternoon, I was finishing one slab and the other lads where concreting another. The tamp ran out of petrol. Terry filled the tank up, while he did this he spilt some petrol. He was putting the cap back on the petrol can when Wolfie started the tamp up. The spark from the spark plug ignited the petrol, the tank on the tamp went up in flames, so did the can Terry was holding, the concrete was alight, there was thick smoke everywhere. All our lads and the local workers were running everywhere to get out. I had a bucket of water that I keep my floats and trowels clean with, so I took them out, ran over and threw it over the flames, it put it out. As one can imagine, Wolfie is now taking a fair bit of stick over this.

Wednesday 15/10/1986. Day 79. Hours worked 12.

Nice morning, but a very overcast afternoon. I went to the Bingo last night. I won a K&E tee-shirt on a single line (it’s XL, and I am not) then went on to win the “full house” on the same card and got 300 dinars for that, which is very handy, so with a few beers it was a very good night.

  Got my tickets and passport today, also a list from Dave Stewart for items to bring back for Christmas. Everyone who is going one leave has a shopping list to bring things back, the likes of what can not be brought here. Bacon, sausages, Christmas crackers, etc. I have also got a list of tools to buy. We can claim it all back on our expenses.

   We are in the quiz tonight, could be fun, pass an hour or two anyway. Will report back on it tomorrow night.   

Thursday 16/10/1986. Day 80. Hours worked 11- ½.

Same sort of day as yesterday, overcast morning, then sunny afternoon. I stayed on until 3/00 this afternoon. As a rule, a person can get away early the day before they go on leave, to get packed etc. But Iain asked me to stay and finish a slab, and he said he would pay me the whole day.

   Went to the quiz last night and really enjoyed it, the best night since I have been here. While we came second from last out of eight teams, we did in fact do good on the questions, but our darts thrower, Peter, was totally arseholed and his scores, overall were rubbish. In fact, he was so drunk I am surprised he even hit the board, I can’t throw to save my life, but I would have done better than him. Ian Armstrong organised it and did the questions, it was out of the bar fund, money they make on beer sales. We got free beer and food at the interlude, a good night.  

    Vince and Peter are being moved to another site tomorrow, I would have sent Davey and George.

Hours worked for October = 188- ½.

Overtime hours = 44- ½.

Memo – leave.

Left the site at 7/45am on Friday the 17^th, then had a three hour wait at the airport. We went through a massive storm on the plane coming home, and got thrown all over the place.

   Leave was good, went out with family for meals etc and had people around at home. The Saturday after I got home my sister Jean had a surprise birthday (late) party for me with lots of people there, which was really good. Me the wife and daughters Claire and Jean spent a day in London shopping. We went to Harrods, the girls loved it. Daughter Jean found Christmas in there (a hall) all made up for Christmas, it made her day!

  Decorated the front room and had the new carpet laid two days before I came back. I did all the shopping for work, off the list I was given. I brought some tools for me, new floats etc which I will hold onto myself, so that they don't get damaged like all the others do!

                                                                                                 November.

Saturday – 01/11/1986. Day 96. Hours worked 11.

   

Well here we go again. Got back yesterday evening and had a few beers with Wolfie as a welcome back. He was up signing, we had a laugh, but I can’t say it’s good to be back and I will of course be here for Christmas. Still it is a case of getting my head down and getting on with it, we have a house to pay for.

    I was freezing in bed last night, only had about three hours sleep, I nicked a blanket off BA’s bed in the end, as he is on leave. Right back into today with a very busy day. It was cold this morning and warmed up about lunchtime but got cold this evening.

    BA left a sign on the wall above my bed saying, “Welcome back Tom, only 12 weeks to go. See you soon!”

    Jimmy the Scottish chippie who came out with us, came back off leave with us yesterday, went out to work this morning, then jacked after three-hours. It can be hard when a person gets back, but it also costs that person money!

Sunday – 02/11/1986. Day 97. Hours worked 10- ½. 

Been a warm day, but still cold this morning. Got hold of another blanket so I could put BA’s back. I was still cold when I woke up this morning, had an early night last night, which I needed, felt a lot better this morning.

  Wasn’t so busy today as the batcher ran out of cement, no one seems to know when the next delivery is coming.

   Got the pay slip tonight and the dinar last night. I am about £20 under my figures on my overtime, but nothing has been said about me being over paid last month, so I will leave it at that, I am still about £100 up.

  Got my new Spurs poster up and have just made a cup of coffee with my new mini boiler, and managed to acquire a tea spoon tonight, all the home comforts here, don’t you know?

Monday – 03/11/1986. Day 98. Hours worked 10- ½.

     

Hasn’t been a bad day, weather wise, it was nice once the sun got up, not bad for November. There was a hell of a storm last night. I was in the shower when it started and got soaked running back to my room.

  The cement arrived late this morning, so we had a bit to get on with after lunch. We had been cleaning up all morning. They have local labours here for doing that, but I have to say they do not do a good job at all.

   I got a price list from a flower company I used to use in the Falklands. They are based in Jersey, they are very good value, cheep and have added a lot more items to their list since I last used them. I will place some orders for Christmas.

Tuesday – 04/11/1986. Day 99. Hours worked 12- ½.

Been a funny day for the weather, it started off raining, then the sun came out and it was red hot for a while, the next thing we knew it was raining again, it more or less went on like that all day. The day ended being dry, we worked until 7/30.

  Wolfie showed me a bit of a letter from his wife today. His six-year-old son was asked by his teacher, “what does your Daddy do in Algeria?" His son replied, “Daddy works in his underpants!” There is a photo above of him exposing himself with a local worker, ha-ha!

  I bit my tongue with Bobby today as I don’t want to fall out with him this time, if I can help it. I don’t mind him at times, but he is up and down like a bloody yoyo. He came in roaring and shouting, then a short while later he comes in, and asked “is everything all right?” Odd behaviour to say the least.  

Wednesday – 05/11/1986. Day 100. Hours worked 12- ½.

Day 100, nice to get into three figures, must be some kind of a 'mile stone,' but not sure what? This week has gone so fast. BA will be back at the weekend, then I will start counting down again, wishing my life away! It does get harder leaving home all the time. I want to get the money for the house, I miss the family so much, it hurts, and when I leave and everyone is crying! Time to switch off again!!!

   Been a showery kind of day, we all got a good soaking at one point. Some of the lads put a Guy Fawkes in the project managers seat in the canteen tonight, it is 5^th November. I thought it was really funny, not sure how funny he thought it was?

Thursday – 06/11/1986. Day 101. Hours worked 11.

Been a nice day, but again turned cold this evening. Got a hot shower tonight, that is because we got finished at six, it’s only the second hot shower I have had since I have been back. I talked to Ian Armstrong about it, and he said “they are meant to be sorting it out?”

   Bobby said to me tonight, “do you know a chap who was in the Falklands called Phil Bendig?” I said “yes.” He said he is starting in our gang on Saturday. I think it’s a "wind-up" and that Wolfie has put him up to it. That’s because he knows I hate him. He would totally ruin the gang if he came. I told Bobby I think it’s a "wind up," but I also said if he is coming to us, Bobby needs to sort it out and say he doesn’t want him. With saying all of that, unless we do get him or extra help, it will only be me Bobby and Wolfie next week, that’s with all the other lads going on leave, so it could be a harder two weeks than usual?

Friday – 07/11/1986. Day 102. Hours worked 5.

A cold start again this morning, but it was brighter later on, and ended up as a nice day. I didn’t go out last night as I was totally worn out and as it was my last night without BA I thought I would have a good night’s sleep without him coming in late.

   I heard this morning that the bar was broken into last night and 13 bottles of red wine was stolen. A notice has gone up saying the bar is now closed until further notice. BA will not be pleased about that when he gets here tonight.

   I only worked until 12/00 today as I wasn’t feeling well and we didn’t have much on and we were only going to work until 1/00, so Bobby said "go early." I had a couple of hours sleep after lunch then felt a lot better.

Saturday – 08/11/1096. Day 103. Hours worked 14.

Been a nice day weather wise, but a bad day for work. The concrete pump has been breaking down all day on and off, it has been a nightmare. Didn’t get finished until 8-bells.

   Well closing the bar yesterday didn’t do much good as there seemed to be more drunks wandering around here than ever. I had a sleep yesterday afternoon but shortly after I woke up a party started in Glen and Johns room next door to us, oh my good God! I thought the wall was going to cave in at one point, God only knows how many they had in there?

    Bobby jacked today, but changed his mind after Dave Stewart called him in the office. He does get so wound up. Well Phil (brain damage) Bendig didn’t up, so that’s a bonus. BA got back last night, and before he went out on the piss, he said, “it’s good to be back Tom.” What worried me, is that I think he meant it!!!  

Sunday – 09/11/1986. Day 104. Hours worked 13.

Been a nice day, it was boiling at one point, very hot. A busy day with just the three of us but it wasn’t too bad. 

    With the carry on regarding the hot water for the showers, it seems that it is to do with the amount of gas supply we have here, and the fact that we have now got so many lads here and if a person finishes work late you have got no chance, they have now put a rota in place. Some have to use the toilets and shower block and other lads are using some of the staff blocks, who have a shower each in each of their rooms. Wolfie is down for using the project managers room, I am down for the shower block. With saying that I did get a hot shower tonight.

    Got my first letter from home tonight since my leave, it always gets to me when I don’t get one for a while, but everything is okay at home, that’s the main thing.

    A photo above of the camp near my room, and a shadow of me!

Monday – 10/11/1986. Day 105. Hours worked 14- ½.

Been a nice day for the weather, that’s about all. We had five ground floor slabs on inside, that was with just the three of us. When we were power floating them and it was getting dark Bobby went to get lights and had a problem getting any. It was as “black as your hat,” God only know what they will look like in the day light. It was just gone 9/00 when we finished, Bobby said he would pay us until 9/30pm. Oh, shall I book a holiday on the strength of that?” Ha-ha!

   I read for a short while last night, then fell asleep, and forgot to write in here, it is now 6/15 the next morning.

Tuesday – 11/11/1986. Day 106. Hours worked 14.

Been another hot and busy day, another five slabs inside, we had some lights this time. Another 9/00 finish, long days!

   I was power floating a slab this afternoon when Jon Trill the GF came in and was looking about, I thought he was going to have a moan about the finish of the slabs from last night, I was ready for a row. When I stopped the power float he came over, and asked me how I was? Then said, “this isn’t a bad job here Tom, what do you think?” To say I was almost lost for words, is an understatement, and that doesn’t happen often to me. After a little thinking time I said, “Well Jon, put it this way, I have defiantly been on worst.” His reply was, “my sentiments entirely, Tom.” He then turned and walked away. God only knows what that was all about?

Wednesday – 12/11/1986. Day 107. Hours worked 11- ½.

Been another hard day, but not so hot as of late and a bit overcast. Early finish at 6/30, and got a, let’s say a “warm shower.” Got letters from the wife today, she has gone back to using the K&E post again. That’s fine so long as I don’t get in trouble with the project manager again.

   She sent the forms to start buying the house. It has been valued at £47,750, which frightened the life out of me, but there is a discount on that which they haven’t given us yet. We have got the quiz tonight which I am off to shortly.  

Thursday – 13/11/1986. Day 108. Hours worked 11.

Been a nice sunny day, got finished at 6/00 tonight and will be going out for a drink later on, it’s Saturday night here!

   I was also out last night at the quiz. We came second. We were lagging behind for a while then we had a round on “football” I answered all our questions in that round, which lifted us right up. England was on the TV at the same time, so they had it on with no sound, England won, there was booing from some of our Scots friends here. It was only the second time I have been out since I have been back, but did have a little too much. Filled the forms out for the house tonight.

   I heard on the BBC World Service tonight, 52 Algerian’s who had a protest in Constantine last Sunday were today each sent to prison for 8-years. They were students who were protesting that their upcoming exams had been changed from doing them in French to Arabic at the last minute. And they moan about justice in our country.

Friday – 14/11/1986. Day 109. Hours worked 10.

Been a nice day, worked until 4/00 this afternoon, done two floor slabs. The lads who were going on leave today had a drink last night, I went out with them. It was one of those nights where I could have gone on forever. We were stood at the bar and it was very good crack, I rolled in at 1/40am this morning, not feeling too bad at all. Then woke up this morning as fresh as daisy. 

  Our lads are back today, I have been collecting their post while they have been away, I have a fair amount now. Met a lad this week who has just come out, I knew him in the Falklands.

Saturday – 15/11/1986. Day 110. Hours worked 11- ½.

It has been a hot day again today. The lads came back last night, I sorted their post out and went out for a drink with them, that’s three nights in a row, a good night! Brian Hall, BA and I had to get Glen, the crane driver who lives next door to us into his room last night as he was so drunk.

   Big news, Bobby our ganger/foreman has jacked! And should be flying out on Monday. I should think Iain will be taking over. I am not sure what will happen regarding his son and mates? Well I am not going to say I am sorry, because he has given me a hard time on and off for some reason. He was going to jack last week and they talked him out of it in the office.  I am thinking back to the conversation with Jon Trill earlier in the week. Did they know the other day when he was asking me how I liked it here? As they are having a problem getting good concreters here. It is bloody hard work and they are pushing all the time.

Sunday – 16/11/1986. Day 111. Hours worked 11- ½.

Hasn’t been a bad day, a bit overcast and a few showers, but not too bad at all. Bobby is going tomorrow and is having a drink tonight, I suppose I should go and have a beer with him. I am trying to get a letter finished for the wife and will also try to get the house forms completed so that Bobby can post them at Heathrow for me.

   Some rooms had gear nicked out of them on Friday afternoon. I have got us another key so that we have one each now and can keep the door locked when we are out. Mind you the cleaners can still get in and they are the worst of the lot. I really think, that they think it is okay to help their selves to our things. 

Monday – 17/11/1986. Day 112. Hours worked 10- ½.

An overcast showery day but still warm. BA has put some shelfs up between our bedside cabinets. This has given us more space to put things on. I also got a roll of tape today to block the gap around our AC unit in the room to stop the draft.

   Well Bobby has gone. I went out and had a drink with him last night, I didn’t stay long. Also, I didn’t want to have too much to drink for two reasons. Firstly, I had work today of course and secondly, I might have ended up saying something to him, and I didn’t want it to end like that. And of course, he was posting my letters, they may have ended up in a bin at Heathrow and not a post box! Heard that another three blokes jacked yesterday. I don’t know who yet, sure we will find out soon.

    Sorted the flower order out for the wife for Christmas which I will get one of the lads going home at the weekend to post for me

Tuesday – 18/11/1986. Day 113. Hours worked 12.

Another overcast and at times very wet day. We have been concreting panels it the ‘wadi’ today. A wadi is a valley, ravine or channel that is dry, except in the rainy season. We are building one that runs through the centre of the site to stop flooding. Ours has a base slab of 4 metres wide and a sloping panel of 3 meters up each side. We had a real problem trying to finish them in the pouring rain, I wanted to go back after dinner this evening as it had stopped raining, but Iain said “no.”

   BA woke me up at 12/00 last night to show me a photo he had been given of me and him in the bar, thanks, BA.

  Had a row with one of the male local cleaner uppers in the canteen tonight. I was mopping up the gravy on my plate when he took the [late away from under me. As always when a person says anything to them which they don’t like, it ends up in a screaming match, which was the case.

Wednesday – 19/11/1986. Day 114. Hours worked 13.

Been a wet day. It rained all night and best part of today, must be the start of the rainy season. It is going to be hard work getting the “wadi” finished, in between the floods pouring down it that is. Had a “knock” at Iain about the overtime today. Bobby would get us the hours, that’s one thing I will say for him, Iain has slowed them up since he has taken over but is still trying to get the same amount of work done. The thing is he is mates with all of them in the office from home in Scotland, and he is a “firms’ man!”

    My leave date went up in the canteen tonight, I am flying on the 23^rd of January, still a long way off but a date to look forward too. It is the day before daughter Claire’s birthday, which will be nice.  Got given yesterdays Daily Mirror tonight so I will look forward to reading that later.

Thursday – 20/11/1986. Day 115. Hours worked 12.

Been a nice day, but first thing the cloud was so low, we are high up here, going towards the mountains. It feels so damp when it was like that. We had a steady day which put the time in, but not too mad.

  Not much has happened to put in here today, so I will fill this by giving some information about the site here. These are barracks for the gendarmerie, the police/army. This is one of the largest sites for a company of soldiers. It is a very large site it takes over 20 minutes to walk from one end to the other. There are officer quarters, ones for the men. Canteens, bars, rec halls, garages, sports halls and fields, arms dump and much more. The whole site is surrounded by high precast concrete walls which are made on site, and high machine gun posts. 

  Photo of part of the site above.

 

Friday – 21/11/1986. Day 116. Hours worked 12.

A very misty start to the day, then a nice morning, then pissed down all afternoon while Wolfie, Iain and I were finishing a power floated slab. Worked until 5/00 today, as Wolfie would say, “dog those hours in Bonny Lad!”

  Had a drink last night. Big Ian the Scottish precast foreman carried me back to my room. That was not because I was unable to, but in his words, “he likes a carry out on a Thursday night!” 

   There’s a rumour going around that Kingston & Easton may be pulling out of Algeria, this is meant to be regarding money, payments etc. I would really like to see my contract out, it is early days, four months done. I would just have to get another job. I would also have to pay income tax on the money I have earnt as I need to get a year in to become exempt. 

Saturday – 22/11/1986. Day 117. Hours worked 12 .

Some of our lads played some locals at football yesterday afternoon and won 11-3. Been an overcast day after a night of rain. Jon Trill goes on leave this Friday. At the moment it looks like he is cracking up. His is going around bollocking and warning people, he is more than ready for a break.

   Some of the lads who came back yesterday did not have their bags put on the plane at Heathrow, you wouldn’t be happy about that, would you? Stewart, Bobby’s lad has come back, but I am told it is only until he gets his months pay in the bank, then his jacking.

   My mate Brian Hall who came out with us, has hurt his foot and is off work. My roommate BA is off work ill. But I think that’s from the drink yesterday. George in our gang had the day off also, like BA, I think it's an alcohol overdose! Iain was not happy at all.

Sunday – 23/11/1986. Day 118. Hours worked 15.

God, what a day, we went for the big one. We were concreting floor slabs in the garage, the metal frame is up, but no roof on yet. It is a massive area, which will have workshops etc in there. Everything  was going well until about 4/00 when it totally poured down, I mean poured out of the heavens. I have been wet like that once before, I mean right through to my underpants. That in 1974 when I was working for Taylor Woodrow on the Eagle Centre in Derby. We came back to the camp, I have just had a shower and have changed, then me Iain and Wolfie are meeting for dinner shortly then going to finish the slabs.

   There was a meeting here today with the “big knobs,” I am told it is about money, but that is all I know at the moment. Alan one of the lads who has just come back got me batteries for my alarm clock, as I forgot to get them.

Monday – 24/11/1986. Day 119. Hours worked 17.

That was a very long day. I was up at 4/20 this morning to start work at 5/00 then worked through until 8/00 this evening, a very long hard day, and of course a soaking along the way. It was more floor slabs in the garage.

   Some bad news for my mate Brian Hall, his wife has been taken in hospital, that’s all I really know, they are flying him home tomorrow, he came around to tell me after I finished. I am going out to have a beer with him this evening. I really like Brian, we sat next to each other on the plane coming over and just hit it off, even if he is a Geordie, ha-ha!!! It was his first time away from home, he had been out of work for a while. I know he struggled to start with but he got into it, he said he is taking all his gear home, just in case. I am not sure if I will see him again, out here anyways?

  I had my wellies nicked today, by a Raghead. I had changed them when we went to lunch and left them in the garage where we were working, we came back and they were gone. I found the bloke who nicked them and nearly ripped his head. Thieving bastard.  

 

Tuesday – 25/11/1986. Day 120. Hours worked 12.

Had an hour or so of sunshine, then it was overcast all day, but the rain kept off. We have got the Algerian government inspectors coming tomorrow to inspect the site. Talk about last minute panic, it has been like a mad house all day, people running around like lunatics, and I was told they knew this date for six months.

    There are all sorts of rumours going around here at the moment about the contract being stopped or a new company coming in. I was a bit concerned to start with as if I didn’t see my year out here I would have to pay tax on my earnings when I got home. But when a person thinks about it, there are two things. Will they stop the work? No. The work is over half way through, they need it finished. Will K&E lose the work? I don’t think so, but if they did the new company would just reemploy us. They will not get rid of everyone and have to recruit new people, I don’t believe any of it. And on top of all of that, there’s a leak in the canteen ceiling near where we sit to eat.     

Wednesday – 26/11/1986. Day 121. Hours worked 13.

The wife’s birthday today, hope she got the flowers okay? She’s 40 today, and I am not there, again, to take her out.  It has been a cold overcast day, there has been rain in the air all day but not much to talk of.

  Got a parcel from the wife today, there was three gifts inside, one was from the her and the others from the children, they both had written on them, not to open until Christmas day. The third one said I could open now. It had Christmas decorations in it. There were some paper chains in it that daughter Jean (she’s six, seven in Jan) and her class mates made for me. Yes, you know it, I was nearly crying.

   It’s starting to sound like Alan and Terry in our gang might be jacking when they have been paid, like Stewart. God only knows who will go after that? It’s like the Falklands, treat lads like shit and they are not going to stay, and the thing is, it’s a lot easier to get home from here. 

Thursday – 27/11/1986. Day 122. Hours worked 13.

Been an overcast day with a bit of rain, but it kept off in the main. We were a bit late tonight, but not as late as we would have been, had we of had some of the rain we have had of late.

  "Davey Fat boy’s," that what the lads call him, not me. He wasn’t bad, for working when he first got back off leave, but he has slipped back into his lazy ways again. Not sure how he got the job, but he ended up washing the van for Ian Armstrong this afternoon, and never came back. When he was going to do it, I asked him to ask Ian to get some lights sorted for us, he didn’t.

  Jon Trill left to go on leave today, it’s going around, "who is going to have the best holiday, him or us?" Ha-ha!

Friday – 28/11/1986. Day 123. Hours worked 5.

Been a really nice sunny day, it was really nice. It is nice this time of year here, that’s when it’s not bloody raining and the sun is out. It is not over powering like it can be.

  We only worked until 12/30 as the batcher broke down. Wolfie wanted to work all day doing some other odds and sods (dog the hours in Bonny lad) but Iain said “no,” as there was not any concrete. He is a “firm’s man.” I have to say I was pleased to have a break and a little sleep this afternoon.

   Went out for a beer last night but only had three then had an early night. BA was totally pissed when he got in. I woke him for work this morning, as he had asked me to do that yesterday, but he said, “no I am not going in.” He was still pissed to be fair. I woke him when I got in at lunchtime, and guess what? He went straight back to the bar.

Saturday – 29/11/1986. Day 124. Hours worked 12.

   

 A boiling hot morning, then poured down this afternoon. We had some floor slabs inside, so it wasn’t too bad. Stewart jacked today after he had been paid I suppose. Like his Dad he was alright at times, but there were other times he could be a right grumpy bugger. We need lads but you don’t want people who really don’t want to be here, as it will spread through the gang. I reckon his Dad talked him in to coming out, then low and behold, his Dad jacks.

   I worked behind the bar last night as they didn’t have anyone to do it in the evening. It passed the time, so I didn’t mind, but I didn’t get the early night I wanted. Tottenham were playing Nottingham Forest today and Tomo the steel erector (a Forest fan) was mouthing off in the bar on Thursday night. So, I said “put your money were your mouth is, and have £10 on it.” I don’t gamble but he was getting on my nerves, and Wolfie, who does not follow football, but now says he is a Tottenham fan said he would have £20 also. Tomo bottled it, and said “no.” Pleased about that, Forest won 3-2.  

Sunday – 30/11/1986. Day 125. Hours worked 11.

Been a rainy overcast day, and now this evening it is pissing down. It is funny here how you seem to get rain later in the day and at night, that’s how it seems anyway. I thought Stewart had jacked yesterday, he hadn’t, but he has today. And word has it a couple more have gone also?

   Went for my medical today for my residency, what a joke that was. We had to wait an hour and a half, then first an X-ray. I had to take my shirt off, then go into a long empty cupboard. The doctor said face the far wall, he shut the door, turned the light on and off. Opened the door told me to turn around, done the same again, and said "very good." He put the band of the blood pressure on my arm, pumped it once and said again, "very good, you are very fit." What a rip-off. K&E pays 90 dinars for each person, and of course we can’t come out here without having one at home anyway!

Hours worked in November = 353.

Overtime for November = 93.      

                                                                                                 December.

 

Monday – 01/12/1986. Day 126. Hours worked 13.

Well that’s another month out of the way, only 24 days until Christmas, I just want to get it out of the way now. It will be my third Christmas in four years away from home, not good, not good at all.

  A cold damp day, worked late getting a garage floor slab finished. I have had a fair amount of post lately, Christmas cards etc, it winds the other lads up, which it did also in the Falklands, but it’s good fun.

   Nearly finished another book. We can’t seem to get any matches or lighters here these days for some reason. I brought lighters and gas back with me. There seems to be shortages of a fair few things in the country of late. I believe there has been trouble in a few towns because of that.

   A person knows a rumour is good when they start one and it is told back to them shortly after. I started one at 11/00 today, and was told it back at 2/30, can’t be bad. It was that Jon Trill had jacked while on leave. There’s a lot here who would like to think that was true.  

Tuesday – 02/12/1986. Day 127. Hours worked 11.

Hasn’t been a bad day at all, nice warm and sunny, can’t be bad for December. I am becoming the talk of the camp regarding the amount of post I am getting, like I was in the Falklands. BA was off this afternoon after cutting his hand open, he had five stitches in it.

  Some idiot got hold of a post card for Brian Hall who went home last week and put it on the notice board for everyone to read, what a tosser. I took it down as some lads were reading it, and ended up having words with them about it, as they wanted to finish reading it. I said “if that what turns you on, I’ll put his letters and pay slip up there.” That didn’t go down well, double tosser’s!!  

Wednesday – 03/12/1986. Day 128. Hours worked 12.

Been a lovely hot day, really nice. We finished some floor slabs inside this evening, I wanted to get the sports news, so Wolfie said he would turn the lights off and I could go, it was 6/40. It was dark, I came out of the end of the building and down a sloping bank and went into a hole at the bottom. This was full of water which came past my waist, I was in mud at the bottom and was sinking. I could feel myself sinking, and was clawing at the sides to get out, which I did, somehow? I bumped into Clarence the ground worker and told him what had happened, he thought it was very funny, tosser. By time I got in the canteen he had told everyone, even the project manager. I said “if he did his job properly, after they had dug it, i.e. fence it off, it wouldn’t have happened, someone could have got killed!” He ended up get a bollocking over it, ha-ha.

   We have got the quiz tonight. Result, tomorrow night.

Thursday – 04/12/1986. Day 129. Hours worked 13.

Again, another day which has been very warm. Davy the camp joiner has jacked today, with only seven weeks of his contract to go! His wife has ordered him to come home, so that’s that!!

   Guess who won the quiz last night? The silly old concrete gang, what a night!!! Wolfie was going mad near the end, jumping up and down in his seat, roaring and shouting. We won a crate of beer and George won a bottle of wine as best darts thrower. I have to say George is a very good darts player, better than he is a concreter. It’s the first time that one team won both prizes.

    I got in at 2/00am this morning, totally arseholed like the rest of our gang, apart from Iain that is, but he really enjoyed it. But we all got to work on time. And Ian Armstrong who was the quizmaster came in where we were working to count us all in.       

Friday – 05/12/1986. Day 130. Hours worked 10.

Been another nice day, worked until five this afternoon, concreted three garage slabs, they are a brush finish so they don’t take as long to finish like the power floated ones do.

   The lads are in very good voice in the bar, I can hear the singing from my room, no doubt it will be a long night for them. I went for a shower a little while ago and little Pat the chippie was in there, he was really drunk, could hardly stand up. He asked me to do his trousers up, which I did, they were held together by a safety pin at the top. I said, “are you going to bed now?” He said “yes,” I said, “I will take you to your room.” He said “no, I’ll be fine,” he turned around and walked into the wall. I took him to his room.

    There was a party in the next room to us at 2/00am this morning for an hour, BA was in there, and they came in our room at one point, I told them to “fuck off!” They did.

Saturday – 06/12/1986. Day 131. Hours worked 13.

Been a nice day, but has been a bit on the chilly side. I did the bar again last night, but that will be the last time. Larry who does it most of the time closed it as he wanted a break and he had no one else, all the “piss heads” were moaning at him so he came and asked me if I would do it for a while, I said “okay.” I went over there and all was okay for a while. I carried on when Larry came back as it was getting busy. We closed early as a crowd of lads were getting nasty. Both Larry and I said we would not do it again.

   There was a party in the room behind us last night, boy I am I worn out, haven’t had a good night’s sleep since last Tuesday, hope to make up for it tonight.

Sunday – 07/12/1986. Day 132. Hours worked 10.

What a day! George came in pissed today. Each of our gang get hard boiled eggs out of the canteen at 6-00/6-30 in the morning so we can just get rolls at 9/30 tea time as they have us out after 15 minutes flat. Someone hide Georges eggs this morning, I don’t know who, and no one has owned up to it, yet! George came up to our table and reared up at us all, calling us shits, wankers, tosser’s, you name it. When we got back to work I pulled him about it. He went up in the air again and pushed me. Like an idiot I stuck one on him, and we ended up rolling on the floor.

  I am trying to play it down and hope it doesn’t get to the office, if it does I might be home for Christmas after all. I went to Ian Armstrong and asked for a transfer to another site and he said, “no, your needed here.” I got away on my own to think what to do, I was going to jack, then decided not to, as we have plans for the money. I can’t believe I let that lazy, drunk, tosser George wind me up that much!   

   I was down the police station this afternoon, not for beating George up! It was to get my residency sorted out, and have my passport stamped and get the paperwork. I might not need it for long!”

Monday – 08/12/1986. Day 133. Hours worked 12.

Been a nice hot day, busy, done two first floor slabs and two ground floor slabs inside. Nothing has been said about the fight yesterday up until now, but I bet word will get around. Fingers crossed it won’t. I had a word with our ganger Iain last night, I went back to his room, his got a staff single room with a shower. I told him what had happened and that I wanted a transfer or to jack. He said to do neither as he wanted me to stay. He also said George was well over due it, and he has felt like doing it more than once of late. He said "just think that you did it on behalf of the Tizi concrete gang." There is a photo above of our concrete gang but that is a little while on from this time.

    I asked him to keep it to himself. Which he said he would, he also said that if I get in trouble over it, he would go and see Dave Stewart (his mate) and stand up for me. I do moan about Iain at times but fair play to him there, he is sticking up for me.

Tuesday – 09/12/1986. Day 134. Hours worked 13- ½.

Been an overcast day with showers, heavy at times. It was almost 9/00 by time we finished tonight, power floating indoor slabs. Having to do them under lights is not good, and at the same time not easy.

   BA and I have got some new blokes in the room backing on to us. It the room Rus and Ray had been in, they have both finished their contracts now and are not coming back. These two came from another site, I don’t know their names yet, but they are bloody noisy, we don’t need that, one side is bad enough.

   Terry in our gang has to go back to the police station as he had his photo taken for his residency and he had a chain around his neck with the ‘Star of David’ on it, they don’t like that here.

   George reared up on Wolfie and Davey today, I am keeping away from him, I mean I am not talking to him or anything, if he comes near me I walk away. I may have got away with one this time, I don’t want to get sacked because of that tosser if he winds me up again. Mind you Wolfie said later he would stick one on him if he talked to him like that again.

Wednesday – 10/12/1986. Day 135. Hours worked – Sick 10.

Well it’s been raining now for almost 36 hours, I mean it has been coming down like “stair rods,” it must be what a Monsoon is like?

   Would you believe the one day I am off sick, the lads get a job and finish? I woke up in the night and my stomach was killing me. I was sweating, shivering and shaking. I then had six craps and was sick twice before 7/00 this morning. I went to see Paul the Medic and he said I was dehydrated, he gave me some pills and a bottle of, like salt water and sent me back to bed as I was so weak. I went back to bed and slept. I felt a lot better when I woke up, but oh boy, I thought I was dying.

  This afternoon I put the Christmas decoration up in the room before BA got back. He was delighted when he got in.    

Thursday – 11/12/1986. Day 136. Hours worked 10- ½.  

It finished raining in the early hours of this morning, but when I was in bed last night, about 9/30, there was a clap of thunder that seemed right above us, the whole cabin rocked. The site was a totally awash this morning, and there was a lot of pumping of water going on. But the sun came out very early on and it was a really nice day. It is amassing how quickly it starts to dry up after all that rain.

  The stomach is feeling a lot better today. While I understand I was dehydrated I was also totally worn out. Over the whole day yesterday, I had a really good sleep and with what Paul the Medic gave me it really helped.

  I have just seen in the ‘Jackers Journal’ that’s the nickname for the Construction News, when someone goes on leave I give them the money to get me one. They are out each Thursday and a person can get one at Heathrow. I digress, it had an advert for supervisors on the Channel Tunnel. I will put in for it, for when this job is finished. 

Friday – 12/12/1986. Day 137. Day 137. Hours worked 10.

Been not a bad day at all. I got a little “flyer” this afternoon, not much about 15 minutes early. I was left to finish two panels in the Wadi, and the lads went to concrete a ring beam and Iain told me to disappear when I was done, which was nice. On the way back, I bumped into Peter the sparkie, I mentioned I was going to the laundry for my washing, he asked if I could pick his up and bring it to their workshop. I got it and took it to him, the workshops also had fitters in there, they were all drunk, they make home brew beer and wine, they have loads of it. I had one beer before going for a shower, God it was strong.

   I have been thinking about the Channel Tunnel and really fancy it. I would need a car to get around there, they have a camp and I could get home every weekend. It would mean paying tax of course, I  will have to someday, ha-ha! Re the Tunnel, I wonder will a person have to pay tax when they are in the tunnel outside British waters? That’s a joke, not very funny.     

Saturday – 13/12/1986. Day 138. Hours worked 11.

Hasn’t been a bad day, in fact very warm at times. Five of the fourteen lads who were due back yesterday never turned up at Heathrow, I can’t say I blame them, less than two weeks before Christmas, having to leave the family and all. I was lucky as the Christmas thing hadn’t really kicked in when I was at home, even then it wasn’t easy.

   BA (photo above) was rotten drunk yesterday, for a change, ha-ha, along with most of the camp, I may add. He woke me up when he got in at 1/00 this morning and then just fell on his bed, in his clothes. I woke him three times this morning. He got dressed in the end and left for work, I now know he came back to bed for 8/00 until 11/00. I told him he will get sacked at this rate. His face is so red, he glows in the dark, ha-ha!

  Wolfie goes on leave this coming Friday, I go three weeks after he comes back. He’ll be home for Christmas and New Year, lucky sod. I don’t begrudge him, much!!!       

Sunday – 14/12/1986. Day 139. Hours worked 11.

Been an overcast day with the odd showers at time. We had slabs on inside the garage today and more panels in the Wadi. There seems to be so many rumours going around at the moment a person would not know what to believe. Mind you I have started a few myself.

   One thing I know is true, because Dave the office manager told me, and that is the chap who was in prison went to court the other day and was sentenced to six months in prison, deemed severed. He has now left the country.

   Davey in our gang went down an open hole filled with water today up to his waist. Someone is going to get hurt badly here one day as the safety is a total joke. BA and I have sent off for a Sun calendar for our room.  

Monday – 15/12/1986. Day 140. Hours worked 10- ½.

Been another showery overcast day, not very pleasant at all. I went to the medic today as my private part have been itching like mad, he gave me some cream, but said a few of the lads have had it and they think it’s because they have changed the washing powder from a British one that they were having sent in to a local one to save money. Now he has said that I have seen a lot of lads itching their bits. I shall wash my own underpants from now on, to see if that does any good, as it is driving me mad.

  Alan in our gang has given me a bottle of vitamin pills which I am now taking. Young Davey goes home tomorrow as his Grandmother has died.  

Tuesday – 16/12/1986. Day141. Hours worked 10- ½.

Been a cold, overcast and rainy day, got a soaking a few times. We concreted first floor slabs this morning, it’s bloody hard work trying to finish slabs in that weather.

   I have got a sore throat and have been coughing, choking and had a headache all day, must have a cold coming, and of course getting a soaking does not help. My itching is still there, but it is a bit better. I washed all my underpants out in the shower block last night dried them on the heater. BA is doing his tonight after I told him. Everyone has itchy balls!

   Davey went today, I don’t think he will be back as I heard he has taken all of his gear with him. It looks like K&E will be telling us that we have to work on Boxing Day, which is a Friday to make up for having Christmas day off. They have said this has come from the London office, who are closing for 17 days. I suppose it is good of them to give us Christmas day off. Robbing bloody  swine's!!!   

Wednesday – 17/12/1986. Day 142. Hours worked 12.

Hasn’t been a bad day at all. There was the odd shower, but overall it was warm and sunny for most of the day. Had a good night at the bingo last night, I won a create of beer. BA was gutted as he is on some pills from Paul the Medic and can’t drink. I gave a few away but I am going to save some for BA and I for Christmas.

   Davey the roofer got sacked today as he had a row with a local and told him to “fuck off.” The local reported him to the GF who pulled Davey about it, he then told him the same. That’s when he got sacked. After that all the roofers went to the office and Davey got his job back. Now a notice has gone up saying we have to be nice to the locals. Well first off, they can stop nicking our gear and be nice to us!!!

   George got a warning off Iain today about being late, mind you I think half the job was pissed this morning.  

Thursday – 18/12/1986. Day 143. Hours worked 12- ½.

A notice has gone up about working Boxing Day. We have to work from 8/00 until 4/00, but they are giving us two bottles of beer and half a bottle of wine each, for Christmas, big fucking deal. 

  It has been a red hot today, 82 degrees on the thermometer, not bad for a week before Christmas. I went for a beer last night with Dave the office manager. I ended up sitting next to him in the canteen for dinner one-night last week and got on really well with him. He is a southerner also, that makes two of us here. He comes from Brighton. We were chatting about sport, etc.

   Pat the chippie sat at our table at dinner tonight and he and Iain ended up have words about us having to work Boxing day. Iain got really upset with him. As I have said many times Iain is a “firm’s man,” and of course does not drink. If we had both days off, Pat would properly be drunk for two days, well he properly will be anyway. 

    Some of the charge-hands lent the project managers car to go into town last night and smashed it up. That won’t have gone down very well.

Friday – 19/12/1986. Day 144. Hours worked 10.

Been a nice warm day, not as hot as yesterday but nice. Been a busy day, worked all day, while it was nice and sunny we were inside doing slabs all day.      

   My fluey/cold  thing has got a lot worst. I have been feeling really rotten all day, I have to say half the camp seems to have come down with the cold thing. Living together like this, if one person gets something, then we all seem to get it.

  Wolfie has gone on leave today, he is getting me a new pair of boots as my ones are falling apart. When he comes back he is then on his last three months. He says he will talk to his wife about another contract when he is at home. I think he will be back as he travels a lot, and there is no work near where he lives.  

   We have run out of butter here now along with other things. We haven’t had what I would call butter for some while, we have been getting a local butter which is more like lard, but even that has gone now. K&E do get some things from the UK but there seems to be problems with that at the moment.

Saturday – 20/12/1986. Day 145. Hours worked – sick 10.

The chap who ran the local guy over has had to go home. It seems that his family (the dead man) can make a claim under the law here for him (our chap) to support the family. So, K&E have sent him home. He couldn’t even be moved to another part of the country as he is a resident so they could track him down. I know someone died but he did walk out in front of the van from behind a tree when he was drunk, so, I do feel sorry for the chap driving.

   I have been off work today with this cold thing. I went in, but we didn’t have much on so Iain said go back to bed. I do feel a fair bit better now. Jimmy windows brought me some soup over at lunch time which was really good of him. He said there was trouble in the bar last night.

  Iain and I went up the hotel not far from here, last night, as they let us use the phone, we pay of course. It was so we could ring home, but neither of us got through, we were there about two hours.

    BA has also been off today as he said he also has a cold. I think his illness is more alcohol induced. He is back on the beer!   

Sunday – 21/12/1986. Day 146. Hours worked 12.

Been a lovely hot day, I have been working with the shirt off for most of it (that is not me above, with the shirt off, I wish!). 

    I feel a lot better today. With both of my illness’s of late I think most of it is because we are worked to death, the body is just totally run down!

   I have been told it is the shortest day of the year here today, it is tomorrow at home. So, the nights should start drawing out soon. With saying that they don’t change a massive amount here with the seasons, not like they do in the UK.

   It seems things went mad here over the last weekend. Firstly, the video has been nicked, out of the bar, dirty bastards. Two lads have been sacked for fighting, three have jacked and there seems to have been a few final warnings. God only knows what it will be like over Christmas?

   I passed Dave Stewart the project manager today and he said, “hello Tommy, how are you getting on?” To say I was totally shocked in an understatement, I didn’t even think he knew my name? In the past he has only grunted at me! I did manage a, "okay thanks Dave!"    

Monday – 22/12/1986. Day 147. Hours worked 10.

It poured down all last night and all of today, it didn’t give up once. Got another good soaking. We finished after working just the ten flat hours today as with didn’t have much on, apart from getting soaked that is.

   Iain our ganger has put forward that we all chip in to buy a new video. I am dead against it. It is down for K&E to replace it not us. I don’t know how the other lads feel about it. I wonder if he’s mate Dave the project manager has put him up to it? I am not sure if I have ever mentioned this before? But Iain is a “firm’s man,” ha-ha!!!  

  I have said before how the cleaners nick our gear, eat any sweets we leave out, smoke our fags, ware our flip flops. Well Joey the plumber who lives next door-but-one from us was telling me that when he was on leave a little while ago he brought back six bars of laxative chocolate and leaves one in the open area of his bed side cabinet and our cleaner has been eating them bit by bit. She must be living on the bog!

Tuesday – 23/12/1986. Day 148. Hours worked 11.

Been pouring down again all day, and we got totally soaked again. We were meant to be doing some more panels in the wadi but the water was flowing down there like a river, no chance.

  Iain and I have been to four different hotels over the past few nights trying ring home but have had no luck at all. We are going to try again tonight and if that doesn’t work, that will be it for Christmas. It has really pissed me off.

  The GF was going around rooms this morning getting lads out who had not turned up for work. He had been around all the work areas first thing this morning checking who had turned up and who had not. He had a list off the camp boss of where all of us lived. It was then case of dragging all the drunks out of bed. I believe he gave them all half an hour to be at work or they got a final warning. Happy Christmas Jon!!!

Wednesday – 24/12/1986. Day 149. Hours worked 12.

I am going to say the last white Christmas I saw, I was living in London, it was 1970. I have come to one of the hottest places on earth, and what do we get, yes, a “white Christmas.” We came out this morning and it was snowing. We are up high here, on the way to the mountains.

  Got through on the phone to home last night at the hotel. Funny thing both Iain and I gave our phone numbers and the chap dialled one and called me over, it was Iain’s wife. But I did talk to my family in the end.

   Another punch up today, but thank God not me. The Ragheads have been giving us a hard time of late, for two reasons. Firstly because of the notice going about us not upsetting them and secondly about it being Christmas (which they don’t celebrate) knowing we don’t want to be here for it, they are winding us all up. Iain talks good French. We went inside one of the buildings when it was pouring down and out of the blue Iain was having a row with one of the local labourers, I couldn’t understand it. The local went for Iain with a shovel, well Iain was so fast, he is very fit. Anyway, he just battered this chap, me and Terry pulled him off in the end. He walked out (leaving the other lad on the floor) and said he was going to the office to report it. That was the last I saw of him. He had been on a real downer, it is his first Christmas way from his wife and children.

    I went back and finished a slab in the garage after that, Terry was the only one to come and help me. I had been invited to the fitter’s workshop for a drink by Peter the sparks, so Terry and I went down there about 3/00pm.  I can only say there was one hell of a party going on in there with all the home brew beer and wine. I had a couple of beers but didn’t stay that long as I wanted to get cleaned up and go to the bar tonight after dinner. Terry was still there when I left.   

Thursday – 25/12/1986. Day 150. Hours worked – holiday 10. Christmas Day.

Happy Christmas! Been raining this morning, but cleared up, still snow laying about, so that has to make it a white Christmas. Nothing had been said before, but a notice went up in the canteen this morning at breakfast time saying that anyone who wanted to ring home a mini bus would be leaving at 10/30am to go to a town about half an hour way which has a post office with loads of pay-phones in it. I went and got through first time, it was really good to talk to all the family.

   It is 8/30pm now and I am back in the room and shall be going to bed after I have written this. It has been a lot better day than I thought it would be. It started with a full English breakfast, beacon, sausages, black pudding, the lot. Then the phones. In the canteen at 1/00 for dinner. The turkeys we had have been at the base camp most of the year being fed-up. They put the tables in long lines across the canteen so everyone could sit together. There was lot going on, music playing, it was good. I stayed there until 4/30, then on to a party in one of the rooms, then tea time in the bar for sandwiches at 7/30.

   I have found it harder this year for some reason than the two years I was in the Falklands. Well one thing is for sure, whatever happens next year, I will be at home!

Friday – 26/12/1986. Day 151. Hours worked 12. Boxing Day.

                                                                                     

Been another overcast and showery day, not nice at all. A load of lads came out to work first thing this morning, then seemed to be gone just as fast. At lunchtime in the canteen a load of the “big knobs” turned up to have lunch then walked around the site. Word went around that anyone not at work had to be woken up. I got BA up and some other lads in our block. Some of the lads who came out were still pissed and could hardly stand up. They left about 3/00 and we got away shortly after that.            

    Christmas eve in the bar was good. There was a fair bit of free drink on, to be fair it is only money that comes out of the bar profits. There was a lot of singing and dancing going on. I said to Iain, "you’ve been swearing today, fighting, you may as well have a beer!" But he didn’t.  

Saturday – 27/12/1986. Day 152. Hours worked 11.

Another overcast day, with showers on and off from which we got a good soaking at one point. Word is going around that the cooks nicked the video. When a person thinks of it, well. There were lads in the bar until 4/00am and it was gone by 6/00am, they are the only ones around at that time of the morning. What was the night watchman doing?  The padlock to the bar had been nicked earlier in the day so the bar couldn’t be locked. I would like to think it wasn’t them as that is very upsetting that they would do that to workmates.

   I was in the bar last night to celebrate Spurs 4-0 win over West Ham, unfortunately they lost today to Coventry 4-3.

Sunday – 28/12/1986. Day 153. Hours worked 13.

Hasn’t been a bad day, we had a couple of small showers but the sun was out at times and it was nice and warm then. We had some post in today, it is the first we have had for a while. Everything seems okay at home. The wife says that the older children, Paul and Julie are winding her up, but what’s new?

   Daughter Jean wrote a letter to Santa before Christmas asking him if she could have her Daddy back for Christmas? It’s lucky I didn’t find that out until now, or she may have got her wish!

   I got a new sky-blue Spurs away shirt for Christmas, which I have been wearing, I have been asked to bring two back from my leave, one for a Scotsman and for an Irishman. Iain our ganger has been given a new nick name since he beat the local labourer up, and that is "Bonecrusher" after the boxer.

Monday – 29/12/1986. Day 154. Hours worked 13.

Been a really nice day. A bit of frost this morning but turned out really nice. Finished at 8-bells tonight, still more money in the bank, more tax-free money in the bank, more to the point. I finished some slabs inside and I then went and helped Iain and the lads with a ring beam that they started late on.

   More of the lads are back from Christmas, not sure how I would feel coming back before New Year? Still they got Christmas at home. I have been given a fair few newspapers, which is really good.

   I overslept this morning, which is not like me, then found out I had lost my tooth brush, so not a very good start to the day at all.

Tuesday – 30/12/1986. Day 155. Hours worked 12.

A very cold and frosty start to the day, but when the sun got out it was really nice and hot. Another busy day. We had first floor and ground floor slabs on. But it does put the time in nicely, as there is nothing worst than hanging around, I hate it.

   We have been told we are not getting our dinar allowance until Friday, it should have been today, and bearing in mind Wednesday is New Years Eve. It is really bad news as most of the camp have run out, and that includes me. I have some left but I have made two phone calls over Christmas and then buying beer and fags, its nearly all gone.

   I brought a new toothbrush, also had one given me then BA, then found my one. I have three now.  

Wednesday 31/12/1986. Day 156. Hours worked 11- ½.

Been a really hot day after a cold start, I had my shirt off for most of it. Had a really busy day but got done in not too bad time for going out tonight. Glen and John woke us up at 3/00 this morning when they came in. It sounded as if they were playing “pass the wardrobe.”

  We are getting eight beer tokens each for tonight off of K&E, which is good as we have no dinar. Mind you I have said this before and that is all of the beer and wine we have been given of late is only out of the money they have made out of us on bar sales! Still we are getting a drink tonight, and we have a day off tomorrow.

   Well that’s another year gone, I didn’t think I would be here this time last year. Let’s hope I am for Christmas and New Year next year, as this one has got to me. See you, in a new diary, next year!

Hours worked for December = 353.5

Overtime hours = 73- ½.       

                                                                                             January 1987.

Thursday – 01/01/1987. Day 157. Holiday 10. New Years Day.

Happy New Year and 1987. Had a really good night last night in the bar, it was 4/00 this morning when I got in, I think it is the first time that BA has been in bed before me. It was a real Scottish night, with about 90% of the lads being from there it was a real Hogmanay, a really good night. I didn’t go out until 10/00, but it really got going after midnight, with all the songs and dancing. I was asked to do a turn. So, I did a trio of, ‘Maybe it’s because I am a Londoner,’ The Lambeth Walk (where I was born) and I finished with. Knees up Mother Brown. Everyone joined in, it was good fun.

   Had a day out with Iain up in the mountains. All of the lads in our gang were meant to go, but I was the only one to make it. I wouldn’t have gone if it wasn’t for Iain getting on to me, bloody teetotaller!

    I must say there are some really nice little towns up there. It is very noticeable that everywhere you go it is the women doing the work and the men are seating around outside bars and cafes.

     The photo above is of locals praying in a town we passed through.

Friday – 02/01/1987. Day 158. Hours worked 14.

Been a really hot day, in the 80s, I have been told. A really busy day. The lads are meant to have the bays ready for us to concrete, i.e. have them clean. We do this by blowing them out with compressed air. We were meant start concrete first thing this morning, but this had not been done, George was meant to have done it before we packed up on New Year’s Eve, he didn’t do it. I did it before we could start concreting it this morning. Iain and George had one hell of a row over it.

   For dinner last night we had the last of the Christmas food which was a nice surprise. Four Scottish lads got written warning for being in their rooms drinking at 9/00 this morning. One of them, Big Willie jacked because of it, not sure what he expected when he was meant to be working.

  The new diary I have just started is smaller than the ones I get as a rule. Wolfie should be back tonight, it will be good to see him, he should have my new boots. Mind you, he had been in for another job, so one never knows?

Saturday – 03/01/1987. Day 159. Hours worked 11.

Been a wet rotten, horrible day. It totally poured down at times. We were really busy all day, got soaked a few times, then last thing the chippies came and told Iain there was a ring beam ready to concrete. He wanted to start it, but I had a right old moan so we didn’t. He and the managers have to know how far they can push people.

  Wolfie came back last night. He had got my boots, loads of newspapers, real cigarette’s and sweets. Well done Wolfie, it’s good to see him back, mainly because I am less than three weeks from going home. He had a good Christmas and New Year, lucky sod. 

   Some of our lads had a row up at the hotel near us about a phone call. Their manager came to the office today and we have all been banned. Well done lads, you tosser’s!!!

Sunday – 04/01/1987. Day 160. Hours worked 11.

Rained all of last night and first thing this morning, but brightened up mid-morning and was a nice day after that. Been a steady day, it just puts the time in nicely. You don’t have to be at a mad “break neck pace” all the time, we still get the work done, but without getting half killed into the bargain.

    Tomo the steel erector had his wedding ring nicked out of his room today, it could only have been the cleaners. I hear Dave the camp boss had words with them, which as always turned into a massive row.

   We have got a quiz tonight. Are we, the concrete gang, going to get some stick, when we get beat. That is because Wolfie has been going around telling everyone we are going to win, and we are going to “nail your arse!” That’s because we won last time.   

Monday – 05/01/1987. Day 161. Hours worked 11.

A nice warm and sunny day, after a cold and overcast start this morning. It’s been a busy day but not too bad.

   We came second in the quiz last night. We were winning well at half time, then could not do a thing right in the second half. It didn’t help that George was drinking as if they were going to stop making beer after today. We had a question on Spurs, "who knocked them out of the European Cup in 1962?" I got it right, "Benfica." Ian Armstrong the quizmaster said to me at the end that "I didn’t think you would get that right." Then he said, “who was their manager when they won the cup in 1901?” I said, "I it knew once, but couldn’t remember. He said, “okay, you have got two weeks to find out.” Then walked away. Tosser!

Tuesday – 06/01/1987. Day 162. Hours worked 15.

A very cold start but turned out very hot. We were pouring a base down low in the ground, in what will be a weapon store eventually. We pumped it and there was nothing simple about it at all. We were surrounded by metal sheet piles, which with the sun burning down on it, it was like being in an oven.

  Iain had a go at George for taking too long over a job which ended up in a real shouting match between them. George ended up walking off the job, leaving us to it, he never came back. He’s some bloody tosser that bloke. If I was ganger they would have to sack me before I would have him back after leaving the lads like that. Still I am not the ganger, so I am keeping my nose out, but we were all totally pissed off with him We didn’t get finished until 10/00 pm tonight.

Wednesday – 07/01/1987. Day 163. Hours worked 11.

Been an overcast day, but no rain as of yet. But I think there will be some tonight as you can feel it in the air, very damp.

   Found out by “earwigging” (listening) to a conversation while I was in the toilets today, that the steel erectors and sheeters/cladders get paid 13 hours a day and none of them actually work those hours. I know some of them come to work late every morning and have “flyers” (get away early at night.) and most of them do a lot of drinking.

   It looks like Iain and George have kissed and made up. I know Iain pulled him this morning, I don’t know what was said, yet! George is on a hell of a downer, he has been since Christmas, and he seems to be getting worst. He wants everything done for him, he is a lazy, selfish, greedy, fat wanker! Oh, talking about that kind of person, it looks like Davey is not coming back! 

Thursday – 08/01/1987. Day 164. Hours worked 11.

Been a nice sunny day, but not very warm. Haven’t been very busy as we have next to no cement, and we may not get any in the foreseeable future as the government here want to charge K&E extra tax on all imports from now on, and up until now K&E have said “no.” But the mad thing is, that the work is for them?

   The local women cleaners had a big fight in the compound at lunch time. There was six or more of them shouting and screaming, pushing and pulling each other, Dave the camp boss came out and broke it up. I am told this has happen a few times lately. Word is, that it is over things going missing all the time out of our rooms. They are all blaming each other. It seems the "shit has really hit the fan" since Tomo’s wedding ring went missing. It’s about bloody time as well.                                                                           

Friday – 09/01/1987. Day 165. Hours worked 5.

Been a bright but very cold day. I have to say the frost this morning was the worst I have seen here. Mind you it was nothing like we could be getting at home some mornings this time of year.

   Big Ian (precast yard) and Fred the crane driver both got warnings for being drunk at work. It’s a worry about both of them. Fred driving a crane drunk, yeah that’s not good at all. A person wouldn’t want to be with any driver who has been drinking, but a crane driver who is lifting things around people, well! Fred was so drunk the night before that he fell over and cut his head open, and didn’t know until the next morning when he woke up with blood everywhere. He went to the medic first thing and word is that Paul the Medic he reported him. Only right to!!!

   I didn’t go out last night as I wanted an early night which I did. I was well asleep until BA came in, and fell on me, I should be used to it by now!!!

Saturday – 10/01/1987. Day 166. Hours worked 10- ½.

Been a really rotten day, not only has it been pouring down all day, the wind has also been very strong. There has been damage around the site and in the camp. We had flying cladding sheets at one time. One of them would take your head off if a person got hit by one.

   Had a drink yesterday afternoon, not much. We only worked until lunch time, I couldn’t get into the new book so I went and joined the drunks for a couple of hours. I think I have "going on leave" on my mind too much. 12 days to go!!!

Sunday – 11/01/1987. Day 167. Hours worked 10- ½.

Been a showery day, on the cold side at times. Been boring with little cement, not sure how long it will be before we get the next delivery, it is driving me mad.

   Got some papers from my old mate Rich from the Falklands today, with a letter that had a very funny story in it. I was talking to Ian Armstrong the other day about being able to put notices about sport and things coming up like quiz’s etc. So, I got a call to meet him at the canteen this afternoon. When I got there, he was there with a chippie and we had a board put up at the rear of the canteen. The company’s notice board is at the front of the canteen.

  Tomo’s wedding ring has tuned up. One of the cleaners found it, she said she found it under his bed. Well the old saying is, “if you believe that, you’ll believe anything!”

Monday – 12/01/1987. Day 168. Hours worked 12.

Been a nice warm day, a bit overcast to start with but the sun came out and brunt it away. I went to our room at lunch time and my element, which I have for making tea and coffee was in a cup, it had been switched on and left to burn out. It could have only been the cleaner, it was lucky it didn’t burn the room down. I went to the canteen and told Dave the camp boss, and would you believe he more or less stood up for her. It nearly turned into a riot as the lads started shouting about things like, “fucking tell them Tom,” and “this is a fucking joke,” and lots of other things. The cleaner got a bollocking when she came in, then came over and started shouting at me.

   One of the cleaners got caught in one of the lads wardrobes this afternoon when he went back to get something. Will anything be done about It? I doubt it, they never seem to want to upset them. 

Tuesday – 13/01/1987. Day 169. Hours worked 10- ½.

Been a lovely day, nice warm and sunny. The thieves were on site again last night. A load of tools went missing. That is the second time this week we have been broken into. We have a night watchman, Duke, and he has a gang of locals who are meant to keep them away, but they are not doing a very good job. We keep getting bloody robbed.

  Word is that the cleaner who got caught thieving, “red handed,” has been sacked. About bloody time one of them has gone. Not sure if that will stop the others. Only time will tell?

  Our gang and BA’s are having a competition between us. It started with who could make the longest list of TV cop shows, then we had a list of quiz shows, we are now on to lists of doctors in TV shows. It been good crack, you can tell we still haven’t got any cement!   

Wednesday – 14/01/1987. Day 170. Hours worked 10- ½.

It has been a really cold day; the wind has had a real bite to it. It has felt bitter at times, really icy in the wind. Two painters, Eddie and Ken have been sacked for being in bed at 11/30 this morning. They were on the lash all last night. I have been told that Eddie has now been reinstated, Ken had been warned in the past.  

    Jon Trill caught me, Wolfie and Terry in the batcher tonight having a warm. The best of it is, we had literally just gone in there, God it was cold, and we had finished work and we were on the way back to the camp. Larry the chargehand had just seen us go in and the next thing you know Trill turns up, we reckon Larry dropped us in it, the “back stabbing twat!”  

Thursday – 15/01/1987. Day 171. Hours worked 10- ½.

It’s been a very cold day again with snow on and off. Jimmy Windows got back tonight, he had been travelling since Tuesday morning. There has been heavy snow all over Europe and I know there has been a huge disruption to travel because of it. Jimmy said he spent Tuesday night in a hotel at Heathrow, he got to Paris on Wednesday then ended up spending the night in a hotel there.

   The latest competition with BA’s gang is song titles with boy’s and girl’s names in them. This one has really caught on and it seems as if half of the camp have now got involved with it. Wolfie was shouting things out about it in the canteen last night. It runs until Saturday night.

Friday – 16/01/1987. Day 172. Hours worked 12.

Been and overcast showery day, not nice at all, again really cold at times. They have started having a guardian (security guard) to petrol the site as well as the camp when no one is working, as we are getting robbed so often by the locals. I was asked by Jon Trill to do it this afternoon. I was given a Land Rover to drive around the site with. I chased three locals off who I found at the bottom of the site, then just before I packed up the bloody Land Rover broke down.

   I didn’t go out until late last night, then I only had a couple of beers then came back to bed. BA didn’t get up for work again this morning. He is now on the lash back in the bar, no doubt he will have a problem getting up tomorrow morning, after he falls on me tonight!

   Daughter Jean’s birthday, seven to today. I wish I was home with her, still, only six days to go!

Saturday – 17/01/1987. Day 173. Hours worked 11.

Been a very cold, rainy and snowy day. The snow was very heavy at times and was settling at one point, but it turned to rain and washed it away.

   Iain had a go at me today because of the time sheets when he was on leave. He had put Wolfie in charge, and said he could book half an hour a day extra for it. Wolfie said to me he didn’t want to do the time sheets, I said I would do them. I did them after work, I booked him a half hour and the same for me doing the sheets. Iain said it wasn’t up to us to change what he said. He is such a twat at times! Power has gone to his head.

  We pissed the song quiz, we won by over a 100. We marked them in the canteen tonight, we exchanged papers, there was a lot of noise, mainly from Wolfie. The project manager was asking what was going on?

Sunday – 18/01/1987. Day 174. Hours worked 11.

It has been a showery overcast day, not nice at all. That was after a thunder storm last night, it was some storm. I hadn’t been in long when it started. It seemed as if it was right above us at one point, the thunder and lighting was almost together, the cabins were rocking at one point.

   Iain took me to one side today and I think I got as near to an apology as I am going to get. He said Wolfie had talked to him and said that he had asked me to do the time sheets, and that he would talk to Jon Trill about us both being paid the extra half hour each day. A person tries to help out and that’s the thanks they get!  

   Had a toothache since yesterday morning. I went to see Paul the Medic who said he could take me down the town to get it pulled out, but they use the same needle in everyone’s mouth. No way, with this AIDS thing, there is loads of it here. He has given me pain killers and I have sent a letter to the wife to get me a dentist appointment for when I get home.

Monday – 19/01/1987. Day 175. Hours worked 11.

 Been a nice warm day, a lot better than what we have had of late, I did have the shirt off again at one point. We have got the quiz tonight. Iain is not playing so Graham the new batcher driver is joining us. Wolfie has been winding everyone up again about it.

  Got all my paperwork, tickets, passport etc today. Now that I am a resident I have to have extra paperwork and it has been to the police station to have the exit visa stamped in it. We were also told that we have to pay a new exit tax at the airport. 15 dinars, this lot here just rip us off whenever they can!

   Iain and George had a real screaming row today. I am not sure what it was about. That will be George on another downer, not that he has really been out of one since Christmas. I kept out of it, with three working days to go I just can’t be doing with it. I sent away for a survey from the BBC World Service the other week, I have just filled it in. I can now say that, I will post it at Heathrow!

Tuesday – 20/01/1987. Day 176. Hours worked 11.

Been a really nice day, very warm at times. Some bad news, Terry in our gang feel from the first floor in one of the buildings. I heard about it and went over to help, but our ambulance was there and they were putting him in the back when I arrived.

  There seemed to be a fair bit of blood, that was from his head, he also hurt his shoulder. Paul the Medic sewed his head up then took him to the hospital in Tizi for x-rays. As far as I know he is still there, well I haven’t heard that he is back. It is a fair way too fall, it has got to be 7 or 8 metres. Wolfie nearly fell the other week and there are still no hand rails up there.

   We came third in the quiz, out of eight last night. There were only a few points between the first three teams, and but for some silly mistakes we would have won it. 

Wednesday – 21/01/1987. Day 177. Hours worked 11.

Been a nice warm day again, very pleasant. Terry is not as bad as it first seemed. There are no breaks so that’s really good. Paul the Medic has said he cannot work for at least a week, he has got to rest. He goes home on leave in two weeks’ time this Friday. Wouldn’t you think they would send him home with us this week so he can have a month’s rest at home? It was a work accident when all’s said and done. 

   I went around to see him tonight. He said the hospital was a real dump, really dirty and the bed they put him on had blood on it. He said that Paul had made a good job of his head, he had put plastic skin on it. But at the hospital they took that off, shaved a big area around the cut then stitched it up. He wasn’t happy, he has long hair and has now got a big lump missing. I am glad I never went to have the tooth out.

   Some really good news came through yesterday and that was that George is being moved to another site on Saturday. The problem is with me gone, and Terry out of action they may change their minds, I hope not. Don’t suppose I will know until I get back now.

Thursday – 22/01/1987. Day 178. Hours worked 10.

Well, that’s it for two weeks now! Been a really warm day, well in fact it was really hot at times. Jon Trill the GF is cracking up, or so it seems, he has really lost the plot. He is having a go at almost everyone, and he is coming out with some really strange things. I have totally been keeping out of his way. Any way it’s time for me to forget about all that for two weeks.

   Terry had dinner with us tonight. He says he doesn’t feel too bad, he said his shoulder was hurting the most but he wants to get back to work as soon as possible. I can understand that, it would be bloody boring as hell sat in the room all day. Mind you we haven’t got much on without any cement. I am going out for a beer with the lads tonight, Terry is coming which I am pleased about. I like Terry, we have had our moments, but he is alright, and works hard (at times) which I cannot say about his roommate, George. I won’t have much to drink tonight with flying home tomorrow.  

Hours worked for January = 240- ½.

Overtime hours = 50- ½.

Friday – 23/01/1987. Day 179. Leave.

Shopping list for home.

Tom: Flip flops – get chain repaired + work watch strap repaired – pants x2 – shorts x2 – hankies – jeans x2 – Tee shirts x2 – trainers – soap x4 – shampoo – x4 – razor blades x3 packs – Vietnam tablets – body lotion – coffee – element – pen refills x4. £50 to repay Wolfie.

Wolfie: Soap – shampoo.

Memo – leave.

As always had a really good leave, it just goes so fast. The first night back we had loads of people around for a belated Christmas which was really good. The next day was Claire Anne’s birthday, we had a party for that, which was good, she was 14. Where does the years go?

    Went to two football matches, one to see Tottenham in the FA Cup, with son Paul, they won 4-0 at home to CP, then the next day to see my second team Brentford. I haven’t been there since I was a kid, well over twenty years ago. I went to that with brother in-law Roy and nephew Simon and son Paul. A 3-3 draw against Fulham.   

     It was really hot when we left Algiers on the Friday. My tooth hadn’t been bad for the last few days, but it really played up on the plane. They gave me some pills, I had two teeth out on the first Monday. Done some decorating while I was at home and some other jobs. 

                                                                                                 February.

Saturday – 07/02/1987. Day 193. Hours worked 12- ½.

Well here we go again. Great leave, just pissed off to be back. Time to earn some more money! We have been on sheeting (cladding) the outside of the buildings, as there was still no cement, which I have to say I enjoyed as it made a nice change and we were very busy. But the cement finally arrived this afternoon so we are back on concrete tomorrow.

  While I get cheesed off coming back and leaving the family, but it is good to catch up on all the gossip. One of the ‘sheeters’ Norman, hit Tomo last week and got sacked, Tomo got transferred to another site. George ended up not being moved as like I thought they needed the labour. He had been on another downer and it seems he had a few rows with Iain and jacked one day, unfortunately only to change his mind later on.

   At the quiz the lads got a question and the answer was Tottenham and they got it wrong. Wolfie has taken a lot of stick over that as he tells everyone he is a lifelong Tottenham supporter. I don’t think he was in to football till he met me?    

Sunday – 08/02/1987. Day 194. Hours worked 12- ½.

Been another hot day, lets hope it lasts, it is still only February. We had a new starter with us today. Of course, Iain, Terry and George are away now. Also, my roommate BA.

   I have asked if I can do 13 weeks before my leave this time. It would be an extra week but I would be home for the cup final, and Tottenham are still in it, one never knows, does one?

   We got going on the concrete late last night, then the batcher broke down. We have been told that it is a computer issues, so don’t know how long that will take to repair?

Monday – 09/02/1987. Day195. Hours worked 12- ½.

Been another nice hot day, very pleasant indeed. Got my leave confirmed for the date I wanted. Of course, also doing that extra week means I have one less to do after that. I am on a finish of my first contract then, done in August.

   Been really busy on the sheeting, it does in fact make a nice change from the concrete, and in my case spending a lot of the days on me knees, finishing the concrete that is.

   I got hold of another bedside lamp for when BA gets back, I am hopping he will use that and not have the big light on all the time as it does hurt my eyes.

  I brought a new ‘short wave’ radio while I was away. It is only little and is ideal for having in my pocket at work for the football results. It works a treat, picks up the BBC World Service no problem.

Tuesday – 10/02/1987. Day 196. Hours worked 12- ½.  

It was a nice morning but an overcast afternoon, I think there is rain on the way, there is that damp feeling in the air.

   The local woman cleaner who Wolfie has got very, very friendly with. Told him that I am (me) a very bad man. Wolfie asked, “why” and she said that “I roar and shout at them if they touch my things, and will not give them anything.” I roar and shout at them when they wear my clothes and nick my things. Wolfie thinks it’s really funny, and has now got a new nickname for me, along with Tommy the Terrier, he is now calling me the “Cleaner Hater.” I don’t hate them, or anyone to that point, just leave my gear alone, you thieving buggers! 

Wednesday – 11/02/1987. Day 197. Hours worked 12- ½.

Been a windy, cold overcast day with showers this afternoon, not nice at all. Word is that Dave Stewart the project manager is meant to be going to take over a site in the Oran stream in the near future. Maybe Iain, 'Bonecrusher' will go with him as they are mates. Mind you Iain is on a finish when he comes back and I know his wife doesn’t want him to come back?

  Still on with the sheeting, it’s not a bad job and we get booked in 12- ½ hours every day and we don’t work them. We (the concrete gang) seem to be the only gang here that only get the hours we work. All the Scottish Mafia seem to get extra hours all the time!

Thursday – 12/02/1987. Day 198. Hours worked 12- ½.

Been a rotten day, it poured down from 11/00 this morning and never stopped. "Blakey," they call him that because he looks like the actor who plays him from the TV series ‘On the Buses,’ he is a section foreman. He said he would give us a job and finished if we completed sheeting a gable end on a block. We did it and got soaked, then Blakey only wanted to pay us the hours we had worked, words were spoken!

   Still no word on the repairs to the batcher. The thing is the longer we are not concreting we are going to be so far behind they are going to push us like you wouldn’t believe.

Friday – 13/02/1987. Day 199. Hours worked 12.

Been a blowy, showery day. While we got wet on and off we got a “job and knock,” for 12 hours to sheet a side of a unit. We got finished at 12/30. Blakey didn’t come near us today. Thank God, after yesterday’s carry on with him. We have fairly moved on with the sheeting since we have been on it, even if I say so myself. Some of the buildings we cladded (most were much higher) are behind Wolfie and the local lad.

   BA is back tonight. Part of me wonders if he will come back, as the last time I saw him, before I went on leave, he was on a “real downer.” Mind you the amount he drinks I am not surprised. Over all, the two of us get on alright, I wouldn’t mind a room to myself if he didn’t come back, but they would put someone else in with me, and you don’t know who you would get? I didn’t go out last night, making the most of my last night in the room alone. Got well into the new book.

Saturday – 14/02/1987. Day 200. Hours worked 13- ½.

Been a windy, blowy day, but the rain kept off, which is good. Had another busy day on the cladding which really puts the time in well.

   BA came back last night and was in really good form. He was half pissed when he got here then went straight to the bar. But to be fair he got up on time this morning, and was pleased with the bedside lamp I got him.

   BA was telling me, that a lad from another site, was telling him that he got in a argument with customs at Heathrow on his way home and he got locked up for a night. He didn’t get home up north until the Saturday night and his wife would not talk to him for three days. Ha-ha!

   Day 200 today, must be another milestone???

Sunday – 15/02/1987. Day 201. Hours worked 13- ½.

Been a very windy, showery day. The wind can be a real problem with the sheeting, that’s because you have to pass them up from the bottom of the scaffold, so if the wind gets hold of them it can be very dangerous.

   We were told today that while we are on the sheeting that they will give us a “job and finish” each day as long as we can get the work done. Well we have been working hard on it so it would be nice to make some extra money out of it.                 

   Word is that Dave Stewart is not going after all. I don’t think it was from “rumour control” as Dave the office manager had told me and there are more sites opening up around the country.

Monday – 16/02/1987. Day 202. Hours worked 13- ½.

Been a bright, but cold day. We had a pour down of rain about 3/00am this morning that woke me up. BA was snoring his head off. As I was laying there listening to the rain I thought I would have a cigarette, which was fine. The next thing I knew I had fallen asleep. I couldn’t remember if I had put it out or not. I put the light on which woke BA up and found it on my bed burning the blanket. I was lucky.

   It now seems that Ian Armstrong the assistant manger is the one moving to the new site. We had an engineer turn up from France today to fix the batcher. It is a French machine. He was working on it until late and he was in the canteen with Graham the driver at dinner time tonight. So, I don’t know if it is fixed or not, watch this space.

Tuesday – 17/02/1987. Day 203. Hours worked 13.

Been a damp, grim overcast showery day, anyone would think it is February! The batcher is fixed. The chap stayed over night and finished it this morning. We concreted this afternoon after lunch, we got two slabs in the garage done in that time.

   While I didn’t mind the sheeting, I am pleased to be back on the concrete. When all is said and done that is what I am here for.

   Ian Armstrong came in were I was working this afternoon and had a chat. I asked him was it true about him going to another site, and he said “yes.” I asked him if there was any chance of me getting a move with him. He said “no, the rules are that a manager can only ask for someone when they are finished on that site.” So that will be me here until the end!

Wednesday – 18/02/1987. Day 204. Hours worked 13.

It started out really nice this morning, then turned into a real crappie afternoon, totally pouring down. Of course, with us back on the concrete we got a real soaking.

  I was working on finishing a slab inside this morning on my own when Jon Trill came in and started having a real go at me about the mess in there. Of course, I bit back as there was no reason for it at all, I am not the ganger, he should be having a go at Iain. I was really on the brink of telling him to "poke his job." Anyway, about an hour later he came back in. I was ready for him as I was still fuming. He came over and shook hands and said “Tom, I was out of order, sorry.” Then turned and walked out. God only knows what that was about? Wolfie said, “Ian Armstrong may have told him about you asking for a move, and he had the hump with you!” Maybe?

   We got the quiz tonight, which could well be the last one now that Ian is going. I don’t know about the quiz, I am totally worn out and could do with going to bed now.

Thursday – 19/02/1987. Day 205. Hours worked 13.

Rained all morning, snowed all afternoon, apart from that it was a great day, ha-ha! We didn’t do very at the quiz last night. Our dart thrower couldn’t get it together at all, we answered some good questions but the scores he got us were rubbish.

   I got a mention on the chalk board in the canteen, where they put up what’s for dinner. It was because of the quiz. The question was "on the stage coach north out of London, where was the first stop?" I said Islington, Ian said, “no.” The answer was the ‘The Angle Islington.’ I was not happy and had a real moan. The cooks put on the board, at the top. The Angle Islington, on the bottom Proprietor – Mr T Wheeler. Good crack.

Friday – 20/02/1987. Day 206. Hours worked 6.

Been another cold and miserable day. The batcher broke down again, we were going to work all day but because of that we packed up at lunch time as we had little to do. I made a book shelf for our room.

   I drove the concrete truck mixer yesterday afternoon as we had no one else. Got to say I didn’t enjoy it very much. The ground where we had to go was very rough and uneven. While I have driven lorries before that was a bit worrying, I could see it turning over, so I refused to do it today. Anyway, I don’t have an HGV licence, mind you, that sort of thing is small technicality and doesn’t seem to matter here.

  Wasn’t out for long last night, there was a lot of shouting from a gang of Geordie lads, as they are playing Tottenham in the FA Cup tomorrow, I will get some stick if they win.

   Bonecrusher and the boys are back tonight.

Saturday – 21/02/1987. Day 207. Hours worked 10- ½.

Another damp and horrible day, not nice at all. Now that Ian Armstrong is going, that will mean the quiz is finished, so a few of us have been talking about an entertainment committee. We put it forward to Dave Stewart and he has come back and given us the go ahead, which is good. I put a notice up on the sports board tonight for others to join as members.

  Iain-Bonecrusher came back last night, he had a good leave and seems in good form, but I would be surprised if he came back for a second contract. Terry and George never came back. I hope Terry comes back as he is alright, I am not saying any more about George.

  Tottenham beat Newcastle in the cup today. I would have taken some stick if they hadn’t. I didn’t say anything in the canteen tonight, but Wolfie got up and started shouting at them when they came in. And he comes from that part of the world. He is some kiddy.     

Sunday -22/02/1987. Day 208. Hours worked 11.

Another damp day, not very busy at all. I have been here nearly seven months now, and still can’t get my head around the weekends. It okay having a short day on Friday, but Saturdays and Sundays being normal days, that’s what I struggle getting my head around. Mind you when we get to Monday the weeks nearly done, which can’t be bad!

    Had a rotten night sleep last night, I couldn’t get off at all. Ian Armstrong has had a bigger board put up at the back of the canteen and they printed a sign up in the office for it, Sports and Entrainment. It looks the business. So far, we have had three people put there names down for the committee. And I am one of them. 

Monday – 23/02/1987. Day 209. Hours worked 10- ½.  

A very wet and rotten morning, but it did clear up later on and ended up as a very nice afternoon. Ian Armstrong goes on Friday, so he is holding his last quiz this Wednesday. That should be good fun. I have to say he has made a really good job of the quiz’s and they have been really good fun, win or lose. He’s a nice chap Ian.

  We are having an entertainment committee meeting tonight to sort out what sort of things we are going to do, and when.

   Got a letter from the wife today, she never got the red rose I sent her for Valentine’s Day. That is very disappointing. 

Tuesday – 24/02/1987. Day 210. Hours worked 11.

A nice start to the day then it pissed down all afternoon. Been back on the concrete today. There seems to be something wrong with the mix to me. I don’t know if there is something wrong with cement, if it is contaminated or something. It just wasn’t right trying to finish it.

   We had the committee meeting last night, all three of us. Everyone says they want to have things on, yet no sod wants to help out. Anyway, that’s my rant! We are going to start off with a weekly cash draw to rise some money to get things going.

   Steve Oldfield an administration officer in the office had a row with on of the local workers in the office and the chap grabbed Steve by the neck and nearly pushed him over. He has been sacked. The local, not Steve! 

Wednesday – 25/02/1987. Day 211. Hours worked 10- ½.

A nice start to the day, then, you guessed it, it poured down all afternoon.

    One of the lads who came back yesterday brought me back a copy of the new London newspaper that only came out yesterday. It is called The London Daily News, it is published by the Mirror owner, Robert Maxwell. It is meant to be a 24-hour paper, a challenge to the Evening Standard. Which has been on its own in London since the Evening News went, which I really liked.

    We have got the quiz tonight, lets hope we can do better than last week, mind you that won’t be hard. A lot of lads came back last night, it was mainly ones who should have come back earlier. Word is that anyone who does not come back on time now, even with a sick note will not be offered a new  contract. I think that may be a case of waiting to see how badly they need lads back at the time. No George and Terry. That may be the last we see of them.

Thursday – 26/02/1987. Day 212. Hours worked 10- ½.  

Been another overcast damp day. Some good news from home. When I was on leave I filled out a form for a tax rebate from last year and got back £1,003.16p. I had already got £200 back this year, so that has put me in good form.

    We came third in the quiz last night. Wolfie has a mate here from home called Johnny Mann, he’s a chippie. Wolfie is always winding him up. He asked Ian Armstrong to call out a bonus question at the end. It was, “who shaged the Milky Bar Kids, big sister?” All our team shouted out, “Johnny Mann.” You should have seen his face. I put on the sports board tonight, “that the answer was wrong, and Johnny Mann is the Milky Bar Kids big sister!” It went down well as Johnny is always up setting someone or another.

Friday – 27/02/1987. Day 213. Hours worked 6.

Been a lovely hot sunny day after a very misty damp start. We only worked until 12/00 midday then after lunch I went for drive up the mountains with Iain and Wolfie. It is a very pleasant way of passing the afternoon. There are some rough and very run done areas here, but there are also some nice places. We went through one small town’s high street which was lined each side with orange trees, which were out in bloom. They looked really nice.

   The drinking on Friday’s had seemed to have died down here in recent weeks, but they seem to have made up for it today. When we got back just before dinner time the whole place was rocking. There were drunks staggering around everywhere. While I was sat on the bed writing this the door flew open and someone shouted in. “Come on you Spurs!” It was Ian Armstrong the assistant manager, he was totally pissed also.

   A photo above of  Iain when we were out for the afternoon.

Saturday – 28/02/1987. Day 214. Hours worked 11.

Been a nice sunny day. We have been busy but not too bad, we got another few panels in the wadi done and one in the garage.

   Terry and George came back last night. They had both got sick notes from their own doctors. I didn’t have a problem with Terry as to be fair he did get battered with the fall and should have been sent home for a rest. George is just a con-man and had nothing wrong with him. If it true about people not being offered a new contract if they go sick while on leave, then he and others ruin it for those who are sick.

   Anyway, George has got his “happy head” on at the moment and is in good form. I wonder how long that will last? His nickname here is, “Expresso Depresso.” That’s because he can go from the good mood he is in at the moment into a depression in the “blink of an eye.” And that is because of the amount of drink he gets through. Mind you over half of the site here can go into that category!

Hours worked for February = 253- ½.

Overtime hours = 63- ½.      

                                                                                                     March.

Sunday – 01/03/1987. Day 215. Hours worked 10- ½.

Been a boiling hot day, just like summer. I have been wearing trousers for the last few weeks with the weather how its been. So, I put shorts on at lunch time, and the backs of my legs have really caught the sun and at the moment are red raw and are killing me. I have just put some after sun on them. I have hardly ever used sun cream throughout my life. Mum used to put it on me when I was young, but I have never really used it. In the info they gave us before we came out it said to use it, I am glad I have.              I wrote out the football fixtures on Friday and put them on the sports board and put the scores up after the matches yesterday. It went down well. I saw Dave Stewart and a few others out of the office up looking at them. So that’s one good thing I have done.

   Bob who’s on the committee started selling the tote tickets last night in the canteen and bar and it seems to have gone well.

Monday – 02/03/1987. Day 216. Hours worked 12- ½.

Been a boiling hot day. Been very busy with first floor panels and ground floor ones. With these all being power floated it helps a lot when the weather is nice.

    While we were having dinner in the canteen last night a local, who no one knew, came in with a bag and started putting food in it off the table near the door which has bread, cakes, puddings and other things on it. Some lads shouted at him, he shouted back, I couldn’t understand him. He carried on, two lads tried to grab hold of him on the, “say-so” of the project manager. As they went to grab him he picked up a chair and went for them. Four or five lads all garbed him and threw him out. He then picked up rocks outside and threw them at the canteen. The lads then chased him off site.

    There was an incident on Friday were three sheeters had a row with one of the local workers who said they hurt him. Word is, they are going to get sacked? 

Tuesday – 03/03/1987. Day 217. Hours worked 12- ½.

Been another hot day, but also a strong wind which made it feel a lot cooler when it was blowing. The three lads who were in trouble regarding the row with the local on Friday all had to go to the base camp at Reghaia for an enquiry today. They have all been cleared as it was deemed that there was a row but it was started by the local chap and he wasn’t touched by anyone. It seems he was trying to get time off with pay, he was putting it on. But he has not been sacked?

   Heard on the BBC World Service tonight that Algeria have been eliminated from hosting the 1994 football World Cup. I would have been surprised if they had won it.

   We are having our first draw for the tote tonight, and we have our first bar-Olympics tomorrow. At the moment in two weeks’ time we will have a quiz then two more weeks the Olympics and so on.        

Wednesday – 04/03/1987. Day 218. Hours worked 12- ½.  

   

Been a lovely hot day, but we have been inside all day. We, Iain and I, are laying the concrete hollow blocks, which we put reinforcement bars into and are then filled with concrete, the other lads are labouring for us. These are the internal walls within the jailhouse. I think when it is finished it is going to look like a jailhouse from the old wild west. The blocks are heavy before we fill them, and they have done my back in.

    We had the draw for the tote last night which went well. We collected 1,050 DA in all. We put it all in the prize pot as it was the first one. We gave a first and second prize.

  Got the Bar-Olympics tonight which I am off to shortly, I am doing the scoring. Will do a bit on it tomorrow night.                                                                           

Thursday – 05/03/1987. Day 219. Hours worked 13.

Been a boiling day again today, but still locked away in the jail, ha-ha! Had a good night at the Olympics last night all of the games went down well. We had eight teams which had to play every other team  at six games. Draughts – darts – table tennis – bar skittles – bowling – hoopla. We had the last three made in the joiners work shop. We also had a photo board which I made up out of the newspapers and was 10 DA to enter.

    Ian Armstrong is going this Friday now, he came to the Olympics last night, we had a good drink for him, too good, as my head could tell this morning. He came to my room last night before I went and gave me a reference for when I leave here. It is really good. I never asked him for it so it was really good of him. It’s a pity he is going. 

Friday – 06/03/1987. Day 220. Hours worked 12.

Red hot day again. Back in the jail again, we were given a “job and knock” to get a section of it done. We got away at 3/30, there is still a fair bit to do in there. I am going to do a bit of sun bathing this afternoon to top up on the sun tan. Problem is there is a barbeque and party going on in the cabins facing us, and oh boy the noise is out of this world. I noticed BA was over there when I came in. I will find a place for the tanning at the other end of the camp.

    There is a story unfolding. George never came in today as he was pissed up still this morning. I am told he started drinking early today, and then got hold of a van and with some other lads drove into Tizi. I am told that Dave Stewart has been told. So that is, watch this space!

Saturday – 07/03/1987. Day 221. Hours worked 11.

Another hot busy day. This block laying is killing my back, and I am totally worn out. Loads of things happened yesterday.

   Last night at dinner time there was fight in the canteen. It was a load of the Scottish lads who sit on the table near the counter. Not sure what happened at the moment, of course they had been in the bar all day. We sit near the back and all of a sudden there was shouting, swearing and then the next thing we knew the table turned over and lads were rolling on the floor. Dave Stewart saw it all, so it’s another, watch this space.

  George got a bollocking and a warning for driving drunk. He also reversed over a parked moped. I can’t believe what he gets away with, how is he still here, are they that desperate for workers?  

   Our cleaner nicked our coffee, and also slashed open one of the lad’s suitcases which was locked who had just come back off leave. She has been suspended for six days. It’s a joke!        

Sunday – 08/03/1987. Day 222. Hours worked 12- ½.

Been an overcast day, but very warm. We have been very busy still, we are still in prison, ha-ha! I wouldn’t want to be in prison anywhere, but defiantly not here. There is one big cell and six others of varying sizes. The big one is meant to be a holding cell which they could put 20 or more people in. It has a gully (drain) in the middle of the floor to use as a toilet for hosing them down.

   I am totally worn out, I have had some early nights of late, but I am still totally knackered. The block laying is something that I am not used too, while the concrete is heavy work, this is different. It is very hot in the jail, I wouldn’t want to be locked up there. We done a couple of wadi panels in the afternoon.    

Monday – 09/03/1987. Day 223. Hours worked 11.

Been and overcast day, but still warm. Jimmy King a chargehand had one of the locals by the throat today, not sure why at the moment? It was the same bloke I pulled off the dumper for nicking my wellies. These thieving bastards would have the laces out of your boots while you were wearing them. Wait to see what happened.

   We run out of blocks on the jailhouse today. It is a pity really as the pump is fixed now and we are back on the concrete tomorrow, it would have been nice to have finished it as I can see us being very busy on the concrete from now on.

Tuesday – 10/03/18987. Day 224. Hours worked 12- ½.

Been a funny day, sun at times, overcast with the odd shower. Been another busy day. Back on the concrete today. We have had some problems of late, what with, no cement, batcher and pump keep breaking down and the odd mix with the concrete.

  I could do with an early night but I said I would go to the bar to give Bob a hand selling the tote tickets as he has had a moan that he thinks he is having to do all the work on the committee. I don’t want a fall out about it as we have only just started.

  I started a rumour today that Jon Trill is being transferred to Oran with Ian Armstrong. BA came in tonight and told me. It has got to be a good one when it comes back to you, and in the same day. BA was disappointed when I told him it was a wind up as he doesn’t like him, does anyone?

Wednesday – 11/03/1987. Day 225. Hours worked 13- ½.

Been a nice warm day, not too hot, just nice. Didn’t finish until 8 and I am now rushing as I am going to the quiz at 8/30 pm, had a shower so I am nearly ready.

   Dave the office manager had a cup of thrown at him by a local worker after he had a go at Dave, he has got to be sacked, surely? Dave’s alright once you get to know him, he is very switched on.

   The wife said in a letter that she sent a parcel of sweets via the office and they sent them back and said they would not clear customs, tosser’s. Didn’t want to pay for them more too the point.

   She also said we are having a phone put in this Friday. I call Dee next door as a rule, which she is okay with, but it will be better having our own one, all be it another bill. Wolfie’s birthday today, but he is not letting on how old he is.                                                                                                                   

Thursday – 12/03/1987. Day 226. Hours worked 12.

Been a nice warm day again. Just finished work, 6/30, not sure if I will go out tonight at the moment, as I was out last night, and feel worn out. We did in fact win the quiz. Jimmy Windows was quizmaster for the first time. He seemed, “as high as a kite,” but it was good crack and he did make us laugh.

   The overtime hours have been cut for all gangs, to 10 hours a day, but not for us. There are two things there I think. Firstly, if they stop us working overtime we would have to stop concreting early to be finished on time, which just won’t work. Secondly, Dave Stewart is trying to get around Iain as he has now said he will not be doing another contract when he finishes in May, and Dave wants his mate back! He is a really good worker, and I have to say I get on with him a lot better these days, well most of the time that is!!!      

 Friday – 13/03/1987. Day 227. Hours worked 12.

It was a nice start to the day then became overcast and was in fact cold in the wind at times. Had a little rest and lay down after lunch but I am going back to work with Iain and Wolfie at 4/30 pm as we poured four slabs today and they were absolutely soaking, so not sure what time we will finish tonight.

   As usual there’s parties going on all around here, everywhere in fact. I saw BA a little while ago, his is drunk, for a change.

   I had a fall out with Alan the forklift driver on Wednesday about poking his nose into other people’s business. It didn’t go down very well, but he started talking to me again today, which is fine. But he did need telling, which a lot of people agreed with.

   Regarding the overtime being cut, everyone knows that so many gangs have taken the piss with the hours they have booked. A lot of 'Flowers' lads get away with murder, well it looks like it has been stopped.

Saturday – 14/04/1987. Day 228. Hours worked 11.

Been a nice hot, sunny day. Not too busy today, but steady away. Terry never come in today, he said he wasn’t feeling well but has not got a sick note. Iain is really upset about it. Of course, it will be because he was on the lash yesterday afternoon. George is on a downer, “Expresso-Depresso,” which will be because of the drink. I keep away from him these days as I would end up rowing with him.

   While I got in bed early after work last night, I was only reading as the noise from all the parties was mad. I know there has been written warnings given out today because of lads not getting up for  work today. It was like Dodge City last night, the only thing we didn’t have was the gun shots. Mind you nothing would surprise me here.

Sunday – 15/04/1987. Day 229. Hours worked 11.

Been an overcast day and in fact was cold at times. Dave McKay the sheeter got sacked yesterday for not turning up for work again. I was told he had already had 3 written warnings.

   Been really busy again, back in the jailhouse. The blocks arrived yesterday afternoon, we had to load them out first thing this morning, then on with laying them. We had some concrete later on.

   John Trill is back, and I hear he is up to his old tricks already, going around upsetting lads. As a rule, he keeps away from us if Bonecrusher is working with us, as he doesn’t want to up set the top man’s best friend, does he now!

Monday – 16/03/1987. Day 230. Hours worked. 13.

Been another nice day, but we have still been inside all day again, I will be pleased when we are finished in there. We are meant to be starting to concrete the road slabs soon. Back out in the sun, with lots of hours and tax-free money in the bank!!!

   I sent off for flowers for the wife for Easter today, and had a go at them because the last lot she got were dead. Not happy!

    Wolfie signed his new contract today, so that’s him with 58 weeks to go. I am laughing but that might be me in a short while. Wolfie is talking about us getting a 5-a-side football team together and having a completion. Firstly, we could only really play on a Friday, and secondly, I don’t think we could find enough people sober enough to play on a Friday? 

Tuesday – 17/03/1987. Day 231. Hours worked 11.

Been a sunny but cooler day. Still inside the jailhouse. It is St Patrick’s day today, I think there could be some fun and games around the camp tonight. A lot of the lads who come from Flowers in Scotland seem to be Catholic’s and Celtic supporters, and we have a lot of lads from Belfast who are doing the M and E (mechanical and electrical) are Protestants and are Rangers supporters. Over all they get on okay, but there have been times in the bar when a person would wonder, and of course that is when a lot of alcohol  has been consumed!

  The wife had a moan in a letter about me being away, which I am also fed up with, but there are things we want to get, a car and of course buying the house, they all cost money. We will talk it over when I am home next.

Wednesday – 18/03/1987. Day 232. Hours worked 11.

It was a very overcast morning, but it was a nice warm afternoon.  There was a fair old party going on in the bar last night for St Patrick’s day. I could hear the music from our room. Charlie Duffy a Scottish chap who drives the truck mixer most of the time and gives us a hand if he’s not busy was in there and looked the worst for ware this morning, he said "we had a really good night!"

   BA seems to think that his gang will be moved on in about six weeks’ time. They haven’t been told were they are going yet but have been told that’s the program at the moment. I must say that I have got on alright with him, and it is nice to have some company at times. I said it when I was in the Falklands and that was "it would be good to have a roommate who you could keep in a cupboard. Get them out when you want a chat, then put them away when a person wants some time to their self!" We both go on leave in about seven weeks, so will have to wait and see what happens?  

Thursday – 19/03/1987. Day 233. Hours worked 11.

Been a nice sunny warm bright day, but was cooler in the wind at times. I have had a pain in my neck since yesterday morning so I went to the medic’s this morning and he gave me some cream and painkillers, it dose not seem to have done much good up until now, it’s still bloody hurting.

   I have also had a skin rash come up, Paul the Medic says a lot of the lads have had it, he told me the medical name, which I can’t remember, but he said it is also called "Mushroom Fungi," that doesn’t sound very pleasant, does it? It is because the pores in the skin do not clear correctly, mainly because of dirt and  dust. He has given me some shampoo to rub on it called 'Selsun,' I will give it a go but not sure about that at all. He says it has cleared it up for other lads.

   I was in bed last night at 9/00, totally worn out again.

Friday – 20/03/1987. Day 234. Hours worked 10.

Been a funny day, misty to start with then the sun came out and it was a nice morning. So the idea after I finished this afternoon was to go and lay out in the sun. By time I got around to it, it had disappeared, gone!

  I went for a walk down the site instead and climbed up one of the lookout towers which has recently gone up and took some photos from there. I got some other photos from around the site, it was good with no one around. A pack of wild dogs, about six of them had come on to the site from one of the water melon fields that surround us. I threw rocks towards them, to get rid of them. A person wouldn’t want them to get hold of you, I think you could be their dinner for the night!

  Didn’t go out last night, just far too tried, it wasn’t so noisy last night, or today at the moment, it’s nearly dinner time, 6/00pm    

Saturday – 21/03/1987. Day 235. Hours worked 11.

Been nice at times but also very overcast at times, but still warm which makes the difference. Been a busy day, we did a couple of first floor slabs, but got finished at a reasonable time.

   I have been getting a picture board ready for this weeks Bar Olympics. I can’t believe how hard it has been with BA in here, he is looking over my shoulder every time I did one. Then he was saying, “that’s an easy one, oh everyone will get that.” He was getting on my nerves. After I came back from the shower I found him looking at the answers.

Sunday – 22/03/1987. Day 236. Hours worked 11.

Been a nice day at times, on and off overcast, but again on the warm side. No one wanted to join the entertainment committee but now we are getting loads of lads saying, “why can’t you do this or that?” It seems as if everyone wants something, it’s unreal.

   Wolfie is going on leave this coming Thursday. The only direct flights to Heathrow are on a Friday and Tuesday, but you can go a day early at the end of your contact, but it is via Paris which he is doing. He is having three weeks at home before he comes back. Lucky sod, mind you that is what I will do, if I come back that is.

Monday – 23/03/1987. Day 237. Hours worked 12.

Been a nice day for the weather and that’s about the only thing. First off, I got a message from Dave Stewart the project manager to see him in the office. Over the months here the lads have put up flags in the bar, there has been an Irish Tricolour up there since I have been here, last weekend someone put up the Red Hand of Ulster flag. Stewart said it had got too political and as I am a member of the committee I was asked to take them all down and give them back. It didn’t go down at all well.

    Jon Trill had a go at me at lunch time because I had come to the canteen early. It was because I had to get back and finish a slab. He’s a right tosser. Had a row with Graham the batcher driver this afternoon, because the concrete mix was not right, he didn’t like being told. Then some lads had a go at me tonight because I put the sheet up for everyone to entre their team for the Bar Olympics and they didn’t do it in time. Everyone’s bloody moaning!  

Tuesday – 24/03/1987. Day 238. Hours worked 11.

Been a really nice sunny day, well it was in fact boiling at times. Ian Armstrong was back here last night, he has been on leave and was back to pick up his gear before he went to his new site in Oran today. He brought back the Mirror and Evening Standard for me which was really good of him. He knows I am thinking of applying for a job on the channel tunnel when this is over, and he got hold of an application form for me. 

    Ian has had stiches under his left eye. It was when he was in a car park and opened the boot of the car and caught it under his eye. So, he will have to get the medic at his new site to take them out. 

Wednesday – 25/03/1987. Day 239. Hours worked 11- ½.

Been a really nice sunny hot day. The backs of my legs were sore again tonight with sunburn. In the months I was here last year and of course from the summer at home I had got a nice suntan, but I have to start again now. I always thought I went brown fast until I met Iain. While he is Scottish he says that one great grandparents, I think his Great Grandmother comes from around the Mediterranean area.

   The lads in our gang were asking me about the Bar Olympics tonight and I said we were having a raffle, Terry started moaning saying, people will get fed up with too many draws. People moan because there’s nothing to do, now they are moaning as there is too much, you can’t win. I don’t mind Terry most of the time, but he can be a moaner, that’s for sure. 

Thursday – 26/03/1987. Day 240. Hours worked 11- ½.

Been a nice bright afternoon after an overcast start to the day. We have been told that about 40 of us are being moved to Reghaia Base Camp, for two to three weeks, as they are way behind there and it has to be handed over on 18^th April. All our gang are going, apart from Wolfie who has gone on leave now. It will break the time up for me before I go home, but the food is meant to be rubbish there.

   The Bar Olympics went well, it was a good night. Wolfie was well pissed. I left the bar at 12/30 with him up on a chair singing “I Love Paris in the Springtime.” He was meant to leave for the airport at 4/30am this morning. He wasn’t around when I went in the canteen at 6/00am this morning, so I take he made it. Maybe he just stayed up drinking all night?

Friday – 27/03/1987. Day 241. Hours worked 7.

Been a lovely day. Worked until just after lunch time.

   Things have kicked off here a bit. A lot of lads never came to work this morning and there was a lot of partying going on around the camp when we finished work. A coach turned up about 4/00pm for us all to go to Reghaia this afternoon. Get packed and go! Well most of the lads that are going, over half are totally pissed and all refused to go. Word went around that Jon Trill had said we would be in trouble if we didn’t go. I think the overwhelming answer was, “go fuck yourself!”

   It is our day off, "when all is said and done," we shall see what happens.

Saturday – 28/03/1987. Day 242. Hours worked 11.

Been a very hot, boiling day! We came down here to Reghaia first thing this morning. They sent the coach back yesterday, nothing was said about us not coming down yesterday, what could they do?

  What mess the site is in. It is meant to be about the same size as Tizi which is to house a brigade of soldiers, these can be in the thousands. The food is total crap.

   The working hours are from 6/30 am until 7/00 pm, you can work later if you like. I don’t think we will be staying on with what we are doing for long? We are cleaning up roads. You would not believe the amount of mud that has been allowed to build up. Iain is well pissed off. He said at one point he was ready to jack. Not a wise thing to do when a person is down to their last couple of months. Wolfie was lucky to miss out on this, it should be finished by time he comes back.

Sunday – 29/03/1987. Day 243. Hours worked 15.

Not so hot today, in fact there were showers at times and very windy. I got moved from our gang today. I have been put driving a very large road roller. I am consolidating the sub base for the roads at the far end of the site. If I get left on it, I could almost see my last few weeks out here on it. It does in fact make a nice change from the amount of work we were doing, but I do know I will get to point where I’ll get very bored with going up and down, up and down, all day. every day!

  I phoned home on Friday night from the hotel after I had been drinking. After we got threatened on Friday about coming down here, I just went to the bar and got drunk!

  I didn’t see it but George had a fight in the bar on Friday night with Andy the sheeter, Terry tried to stop it and ended up fighting with John the sheeter. I don’t know what it was all about and I don’t think anything has been said, yet?

Monday – 30/03/1987. Day 244. Hours worked 16.

Been another hot, windy day, been boiling in the cab of the road roller, even with the doors open. I am settling in a bit better, getting used to it a bit more. Mind you the food is still total crap. I have to say over all the food at Tizi is okay. Mind you the cooks here have a lot more men to cater for all of a sudden!

  I am rooming with Terry from our gang. I worked until 10/00 tonight and Terry goes to the bar every night after work, he doesn’t like overtime, so I am not really seeing much of him.

  Went to the phone in Algeria’s last night as there was things I forgot to tell the wife on Friday, also it is our Paul’s birthday today so I wanted to wish him happy birthday. They put mini buses on most nights here to go to the phones, it not far. I will try to ring more while I am here, and now we have our own phone.

Tuesday – 31/03/1987. Day 245. Hours worked 16- ½.

Another overcast and windy day. Worked until 11/00 tonight. I am off the roller and back with Iain and the two lads. I am pleased about that. Things all changed this morning, Dave Stewart came down and Iain had words with him about me being taken away and him and the lads just cleaning roads. Dave went away then a short time later the GF here sent a message for me to join Iain and the lads and we are now back on concrete. Well done, Bonecrusher, it can be good it be “in the know!”

  Iain and George had another row today, Iain said to me tonight when we were on our own, “I can see me hitting him soon Tom!” As much I as I would like to see it, I told him, “you are too close to the end of your contract to let a tosser like him bugger things up for you, don't do it!” Iain can be like Popeye sometimes. 

   All the water was cold in the showers by time I got in.

Hours worked for March = 372- ½.

Hours overtime = 105- ½.        

                                                                                                    April.

Wednesday – 01/04/1987. Day 246. Hours worked 15.

A nice sunny day but not too hot. Worked until 9/30 tonight, finishing some road slabs. Saw Johnny Mann at breakfast here this morning. He has just come back off leave, he was meant to come back last Friday. He was late as his passport was meant to have been renewed while he was away but it didn’t get done in time. Sounds all a bit dodgy to me. He has gone back to Tizi now.

   Clarence (little Jimmy) was put on the road roller to replace me, he had been working with Iain who was not pleased with having him at all. Iain said “I had to get you back Tom, I was ready to kill Clarence as well as George.” Bonecrusher is getting punchy. Anyway, back to Clarence, the first thing he did on the roller was to get himself locked in the cab for an hour, then he smashed the axel. The fitters wanted him sacked, tosser’s!

   Laying here writing and the door opened and Andy from next door walked in, I said, “hi Andy,” he looked at me and said, “I am in the wrong room, that’s the second time tonight.” Turned and walked out?

 

Thursday – 02/04/1987. Day 247. Hours worked 16.

Been another nice sunny day, but the wind was strong at times. Been a very busy day, but Iain has worked his magic again. He got rid of George and Terry today, to another gang. There are miles of 150mm deep and 2-metre-wide, brush finished footpaths to go in here. Iain and I are concreting them, just the two of us. Well done Bonecrusher!

   I have just got in at 10/30 pm, I will finish this have a shower (all be it cold) then a couple of beers before they close at 12 midnight.

   We are working tomorrow, it seemed all work at Tizi, but it is worst here. Still it’s all extra tax-free money in the bank!

Friday – 03/04/1987. Day 248. Hours worked 6.

Been a warm but overcast day. We were meant to work all day but the batcher ran out of aggregate for the concrete so we finished at 12/00. Not sure if we will have any for tomorrow, I hope so as I hate hanging about, and would no doubt be put back on cleaning the roads again.

  Didn’t stay in the bar long last night, it was totally rocking when I got in, Terry woke me up when he came in, falling all over the place.

   I made a cock up in the diary and wrote on the wrong page. I am so tried, I am going to have a sleep before dinner tonight.

Saturday – 04/04/1987. Day 249. Hours worked 13.

Been a red-hot day. Had parties each side and behind us last night it was like trying to sleep in the middle of a fucking discotheque. It is totally ridiculous we all have to get up and do a long day’s work. Anyway, I did get them to shut up in the end. Terry was in one of them.

  Talking of Terry, I woke up in the night and he was pissed up and was pissing in the corner, I shouted at him and he stopped. He is one of these who if they need to go in the night they just open the door and pee’s out of it. That’s what you can see first thing in the morning a load of wet patches outside loads of rooms until the sun comes up. I think Terry pissed in the corner the night, as it was wet and I didn’t cop myself on. He really does get very drunk.    

 Sunday – 05/04/1987. Day 250. Hours worked 18- ½.

Been another very hot day. We worked until 12 midnight. We were asked to do some road slabs, so Terry and George came and gave us a hand.

   We sent a message to the canteen to tell them what was happening and that we would be in late for dinner. We got there as they were closing and the big ginger haired cook, who is known as the “Honey Monster,” and is a miserable tosser said. “We have only got fish cakes left.” Well I went into one with him, and he said he had got the message. Near by was a table of “top knobs” over from the UK and one came over and asked what the problem was? We told him the hours we were working, to get the job finished on time and this was how we were being treated! The chap, it turned out, was a director who asked the monster, “what are you having for dinner tonight?” The monster said, “stake.” The director said, “then I suggest you cook them up for these men also.” We got stake!!!   

Monday – 06/04/1987. Day 251. Hours worked 15- ½.

Been a very long, hot day, we finished at 9/30 tonight. Jon Trill came down from Tizi today and brought a load of post for us with him. I got 5 letters from the wife, plus a new cheque book. That was after me moaning in my last letter that I hadn’t had any for a while. Every time I have a moan I seem to get a lot of letters the next day!

   The storeman down at Tizi has jacked and is going tomorrow, he may turn up here tonight. Jon came and found Iain and I and was having a good chat. He is a funny one. I get on with him okay on the whole then he can just turn, I suppose a lot of it is handling the pressure, or in his case not handling it too well at times. And as he will be the first to say that he does struggle with the heat.  

   He does seem to think we will be finished here in about another week or so. I am ready to get away, Bonecrusher is, before he kills someone! 

Tuesday – 07/04/1987. Day 252. Hours worked 16.

Another long, long, long, hot, hot, hot, day! I can see us all leaving here in a box ye! It is just non-stop at the moment, which I don’t mind as it puts the time in okay.

   Word on the street is that they are having an opening here on Friday 17^th April, which is just 10 days away. Word is, that if we are done by then we can have the day off and get paid 10 hours as a bonus. I never know what to believe, but it would be nice as we have been worked to death here.

  There is another concrete ganger here, a Scots chap called Willie. He is another one who is in the "Glasgow Click" and gets on with all the bosses. I have been called on a few times to go and finish some slabs for them, Iain is not happy about it. I get on okay with Willie, but I think I am about the only one of the lads who do.

Wednesday – 08/04/1987. Day 253. Hours worked 16.

Another red-hot day, mind you I have had a bit of a doss (being lazy) today. Everyone seems to want to drive the dumper as opposed to getting their hands dirty and working hard, so I got on it today, just to upset the others. I think I have earned a rest, even if I say so myself! I only stayed on it a few hours as I was needed to finish the slabs.

   I have become some sort of hero here at the moment for what happened with the “Honey Monster” in the canteen. Word has got around and a lot of lads have been asking about it. Everyone knows they save the best food for themselves and the managers. So, it was one up for the lads!!!        

Thursday – 09/04/1987. Day 254. Hours worked 16.

Red-hot morning but overcast afternoon, but still had that hot wind blowing. Bad news is that we could be here until the 25^th of April. That’s a week longer that Jon Trill seemed to think the other day. None of us are happy about that as we just want to get away now. Still we are getting the hours in if we are to take any positive out of it at all.

   I finished a footpath on my own this evening and was walking back to the camp in the dark just after nine. Every time I passed a gap between buildings I could hear a low noise like a groaning. It was in fact a bit spooky. It wasn’t until I got back to the camp I realised it was the start of Friday prayers and I could hear the Muller in the city.    

Friday – 10/04/1987. Day 255. Hours worked 12.

Hot day again but the wind was very strong at times. It is a real pain when you are trying to finish concrete and dust is blowing all over it. 

   I have just finished, just after 4/00 pm and I am going to have a sleep before tea then I am going to the airport with the lads to phone home. I had a couple of beers last night, I didn’t stay in the bar long as most Thursdays and Fridays out here, it was a total mad house.

   Andy in the next room to us was going on leave this morning and someone came in his room at 4/30 am to wake him up. It wasn’t working, I reckon he was arseholed last night. I felt like shouting out, “if he’s not up in five minutes I’ll go in his place!”

Saturday – 11/04/1987. Day 256. Hours worked 17.

Been a bright but really blowy day, it did in fact feel cold, well let’s say cooler at times. Worked until 10/30 this evening, I have just had a shower and will be sleeping very soon. Let’s hope there is less noise around the camp tonight.

   Some good news on the street and that is that Tottenham beat Watford to get into the FA Cup Final in May when I will be home on leave. I said in January they would win the cup this year and that is why I put my leave back. Come on you Spurs!!!

   Terry pissed in the corner of the room again last night, my good God he does get in a real state.

Sunday – 12/04/1987. Day 257. Hours worked 16.

Been hot again. Iain and I have been on the blockwork today like we did in the jailhouse down at Tizi. I was totally fed up, worn out, and cheesed off, so I called it a day at just after 7/30 this evening. Iain wasn’t happy when I said I was going. But sod them I have had enough and I am going to bed when I have finished this.   

Monday – 13/04/1987. Day 258. Hours worked 16.

Again, another blowy day, the wind didn’t come up until mid-morning but it was fairly blowing when it did.

    It looks like George (Expresso-Depresso) in our gang has jacked. Dare I say, “at long last!” There are all sort of stories going about, he has got compassionate leave, his jacked. I have it on a good word that he has jacked. He had a massive hangover on Saturday morning and was on a downer. He didn’t turn in and went to the medic. Then out of the blue he said his son has got AIDS and he needs to go home. He is up at Tizi now getting his gear. But because he is a resident he has to get a visa to leave the country which takes at least two days. 

Tuesday – 14/04/1987. Day 259. Hours worked 19.

Been another overcast day and somewhat colder when that wind comes up. More news on the “George Saga,” and that is when he got to Tizi he ended up having a massive argument with Dave and Steve in the office as they would not give him compassionate leave as he had no information to back up his story about his son, regarding AIDS. It was the first time we had even heard that he had a son. Anyway, it works out that he went for Steve, not a wise thing to do. He has cracked up!

    It is 9/30 now and Iain and I have just come back to our rooms for a break and a cuppa and are going back at 10/30 to finish a slab. I asked Iain if he wanted me to knock for him on the way back, but he said, “no.”

Wednesday – 15/04/1987. Day 260. Hours worked 18.

Been a nice day but there has still been that cold wind at times, and the blowing dust which just does not help when you are trying to finish a slab.

   We got finished at 12 midnight last night. I had asked Iain did he want a knock and he said “no,” guess what? Yes, he fell to sleep and turned up at 11/30, I was well on the way to being finished. Still that could have happened to any of us the way we are working.

    I hear that George went today. I am told that they would not give him his ticket or passport until he signed to say he had resigned. I hope it is not true about his son as I would not wish that on anyone, but the rubbish he has come out with since we have known him is unreal. Iain said he is glad he went  before he stuck one on him. Well, it was one thing I think I did manage to do, stop him from hitting George that is!

Thursday – 16/04/1987. Day 261. Hours worked 16.

A very bright day, but again that cold wind was blowing. Been another really busy day, hardly stopped again. Had an early finish tonight, 9/00 pm, ha-ha! These hours are really getting to me, I am just totally worn out all the time, I know Iain is as well.

   While I think there is still a bit to do here, they are having the opening tomorrow. We had been told we would have the day off and paid 10 hours, we have now got to work!

   I went to see the medic this morning as I have a pain in my side. He said he could feel a lump there and if I it was still hurting on Saturday go back as the doctor would be there.    

Friday – 17/04/1987. Day 262. Hours worked 16.

Nice hot day, so far, its lunchtime, 1/00pm, the wind has kept off. We did some footpaths this morning and finished at 12/00 midday and have been told to book the extra 10 hours we had been promised. Word is not all gangs are going to get it. Very few lads turned in today.

   We are having lunch outside with some beer and barbeque as the top-knobs are here for the opening. I am going to go for a sleep after lunch, I am totally knackered. Iain and I are going to the airport tonight to meet Wolfie off the plane and ring home.

  Got woke up again in the night yesterday, 4/10 pm. They came in the room behind us and started playing the radio. Total tosser’s.

Saturday – 18/04/1987. Day 263. Hours worked 17.

Been another hot day. Went to the airport last night and saw Wolfie, it was good to see him, he was in good form. He brought me papers and some other things. He has been sent up to Tizi. Iain and I were hoping he would be with us for the last week or so, but no such luck.

  We had already left for the airport but it seems there a real punch up in the canteen last night. There was a real party after the barbeque yesterday afternoon. I went to bed, but it seems the beers were really flowing. We had tea early and there was not many in there then, but it all kicked off later. It seems that there was a row and one lad got his dinner thrown in his face, then tables and all sorts got turned over. Watch this space.

Sunday – 19/04/1987. Day 264. Hours worked 13- ½.

Same kind of day as yesterday. The stream manager Jim Wilson has closed the bar here until further notice. The more I hear it sounds like Friday turned into a real “wild west show.” There seems to have been loads of fights as well as what happened in the canteen. I don’t think there has been any sackings over the fight, but load of warnings. The thing is the pressure is on to finish so many sites and if they sack one, they will have sack everyone who was involved. There would be next to no one left here!

Monday – 20/04/1987. Day 265. Hours worked 16.

Been another boiling day. Terry is on the footpaths with Iain and I, now that that George has gone. Willie told us today Jim Wilson has told them that anyone who has worked every Friday since we have been here, and there are not many of us, will have an extra 20 hours put on the sheets for them. I can’t moan about that as it will be a really good month for the overtime. Mind you the hours we have put in and the amount of work we have done, I think it’s only fair.

  We have been told we are going back to Tizi this coming Saturday. That is very good news, I can’t wait to get back there and back to my old room with BA. Word on the footpaths is that James the site manager here is also coming to Tizi, I must say I am not a fan of him. I think the technical term is, he’s a “tosser!”  

Tuesday – 21/04/1987. Day 266. Hours worked 17.

Another very hot day. It is now 11/30 pm, we finished less than an hour ago, but in that time, I fitted in a couple of beers with Terry as the bar reopened tonight. I am now going to have a shower, not with Terry, I may add, ha-ha!!!

   Heard today that Tizi has to be complete by the end of July, so it looks like we may be in for more of this when we return there. I am not sure how many times I have said this in here? But I am totally worn out.

   Had a UK Land Rover in here today with two blokes and a woman who are touring Africa. We have put them up for the night and the fitters are doing some repairs on the Land Rover. They were in the bar when we went in there, but I did not talk to them.

Wednesday – 22/04/1987. Day 267. Hours worked 17- ½.

Been a real red-hot day. Just had dinner and popped in here then back to work, it’s 9/30 now, I am going back with Iain at 10/00 to finish a road slab we poured just before dinner. The Honey Monster gives me a real dirty look every time I go in the canteen now.

   It does seem that we will have a push like this at Tizi when we return, not sure how long I can carry on doing these hours for? Still just over two weeks to go. Iain is defiantly not coming back. I think the time we spent here has finished him off.

   The three of us were talking today and we are all ready to get away from here. A couple of things I will miss. Firstly, putting washing in the laundry, put it in that morning and out that night, with all the correct clothes in the bag. Secondly, no thriving cleaners. You can leave anything in your room and it will be there when you get back.  

Thursday – 23/04/1987. Day 268. Hours worked 16.

Been a hot day but very windy, it seems to be a lot windier here than at Tizi. It’s nearer the coast, if that has got anything to do with it or not?

   All the lads who will be staying here are having their hours cut next week to the flat sixty. Ten hours a day, six days a week. That is some way of repay the lads for all the work that has been done in the last month or so. Mind you I would take them hours for a while at the moment.

  I had a couple of beers after I finished. Terry left work early, well at dinner time and I think he has been in the bar since then.

Friday – 24/04/1987. Day 269. Hours worked 8.

A warm and windy day. We will now be here until Sunday at least. Hardly no one turned up for work today, I think there was a big piss up in the bar last night. There is a little director who is here all the time. He wares a sun hat and looks like one of the ‘flower pot men.' He walked around with the manager this morning and went mad with the lack of lads. It seems he said he will keep everyone here until he is happy. Everyone has been worked to death, does he not realise that?

  Talking about people not getting up. I couldn’t wake Terry up this morning. He was totally pissed when he came in this morning and fell on my bed, and pissed on the floor, again!

Saturday – 25/04/1987. Day 270. Hours worked 12.

Been a nice day, weather wise. That’s the best I can say, all the lads are going back to Tizi tomorrow, apart from me! I am totally gutted. Iain told me to start with and I just didn’t believe him, it had to be a “wind up?” I went to see Dick the GF when I released it was for real. And he said that “we will not have a concrete finisher here and Willie had asked for you to stay as he thinks you’re a good worker and he gets on well with you.” God, I wish I had been like the rest of them now and not got on with him. I suppose the positive of it is that I am wanted? It will just be me and Willie on the concrete! Dick did say it will only be for a week and I will be going back to Tizi next weekend. 

Sunday – 26/04/1987. Day 271. Hours worked 15- ½.

Been another hot day. So much for cutting the hours, Willie and I worked until 9/30 tonight. Willie said that Dick the GF said we can work any hours we like to get the concrete finished. I just don’t get why they left just two of us here when there is still a lot to do? I have been driving the dumper at times, then laying the concrete and then finishing it. Willie went on the dumper tonight and nearly killed me. He can’t drive it to save his life.

  Well, all our lads went back to Tizi first thing this morning, they were taking the piss out of me having to stay here. Still I have a single room at the moment, not sure how long that will last. And no pissing on the floor!

Monday – 27/04/1987. Day 272. Hours worked 15- ½.

Been a nice day, but with that hot wind blowing from the south, The Sahara Desert. I drink a lot of water during the day, but my lips crack a lot in the wind.

   Well the single room didn’t last long, one night. A Scotch lad, surprise to see on of them here, ha-ha! He was told the room was a lad’s who was on leave and he would be alone until he came back. Do they just tell this rubbish or have they no idea who is in what room? Anyway, he now says he is moving in with a mate tomorrow, who is then going on leave.

  Some of the lads from Tizi who have been on another site for a push there, have popped in here tonight on their way back. Had a good chat with them all. Like us they have been worked to death also.   

Tuesday – 28/04/1987. Day 273. Hours worked 16.

An overcast day but still very warm. Some not good news in so much as Dick told me today I would be here until I go on leave, which I am not pleased about, but I did think with what was still to do here they would have had to replace me.

  Still there are only nine days to go, I am getting on with Willie okay, so it is a case of, “head down, arse up, and get on with it lad.” It will be Friday the 8^th before I know it, and oh boy am I ready for this leave like never before.

Wednesday – 29/04/1987. Day 274. Hours worked 14.

Another overcast, but warm day. One of the locals told me there is a big storm coming, not yet! It is the start of Ramadan today, we have been told not to smoke or drink in front of the locals. Willie and I are not really working near many of them so it hasn’t been too bad.

  They have run out of UK tea bags here we are now on local coffee. I have always avoided it, as I do not like it at all. It is so strong, lukewarm and has bits floating in it. Not nice at all, but it is all we have at the moment. Got another room mate tonight, only saw him for a few minutes and he went out.

  Willie and I are concreting playgrounds at the moment. The chippies are setting them up and we are concreting the bases to them. There are swings, slides, roundabouts, seesaws etc. Willie keeps saying, “I can’t believe we are concreting fucking swings.”   

Thursday – 30/04/1987. Day 275. Hours worked 15- ½.

Overcast again. There has been a cock up my passport. It was meant to have been sent down here after the visa had been stamped. The office here has now sent them a telex there to say hold on to everything and I will go there Thursday afternoon as I have my gear there.

   A lad has been killed on another site. One of the pre-cast concrete units which weigh a ton and a half each fell on him. He had only been here three days and had been out of work for three years before that. Poor sod. I have given £20 to his collection.            

   Not sure who it was, but one of our drivers was at the airport yesterday and had fag knocked out of his mouth by a copper with his batten, because of Ramadan. He won’t do that again.

Hours worked for April = 454.

Overtime hours = 194. 

                                                                                                      May.

Friday – 01/05/1987. Day 276. Hours worked 7.

Another overcast day, and cooler than of late. We worked until 12/00 midday. Well Willie left me to finish a job and said go at 12/00 if you are finished. I did a runner at 11/30 as there was no one around at all and I had completed the work.

    This time next Friday I should be at the airport, I can’t wait, I hope all’s well with the passport. I had a “master plan” for today, as this will be my last Friday here, and that was to go on the lash today, have a good drink. I have had very little drink since I have been here so I thought today, I am getting “rat arsed!” Yeah, “best laid plans of mice and men!” I have been told there is no beer in the bar, a problem because of Ramadan. Would you believe it? 

    We are in another new month, the one I go home in!!!

Saturday – 02/05/1987. Day 277. Hours worked 13.

A showery overcast day, not very nice at all. Since I have been here I have lost, shaving cream, shampoo, and now soap. I keep leaving things in the showers and when I go back they are gone. I am fall of lumps, bumps and bites, the medic gave me some cream this afternoon.

   Two weeks’ time I will be watching Tottenham in the Cup Final. Had a drink after all yesterday, they got beer in later on, and word went around. I didn’t have much and came back for an early night, that is not a thing a person gets easily with all the drunks here.

   I am on a downer anyway as I was meant to have gone home yesterday, still I will be home for the Cup Final, and have one week less to do when I get back! 

Sunday – 03/05/1987. Day 278. Hours worked 14. 

Been a nice sunny day and really busy, for a change, ha-ha! We have been on footpaths and back on Willies favourite playground rides, he moans like hell. We were also concreting park benches in today, never done anything like that before. Still it all puts the time in. Four working days to go!

  Had to buy some local razors out of the camp shop as I have run out of blades, not only did they hurt I managed to cut myself a few times as well.

Monday – 04/05/1987. Day 279. Hours worked 15.

Another overcast day, but warm. Had a row with Davey the steel fixer the other day. He has moved in next door to me and was playing his radio very loud. He really went into one when I asked him to turn it down. Anyway, it worked!

  I will be pleased to get away from here, mind you I have heard Tizi has gone from bad to worst regarding drunks, loads of parties and noise which I am not looking forward too. I would like to think I am on a wind down now as I only have three working days to go. Looking back this has been a very long, hard thirteen weeks since my last leave. When we came here from Tizi we were told it would be 2 or 3 weeks, when I leave here next week it will have 10 weeks that I have been here. Still I have to say it has put the time in fast, nearly killed me with all the hours and work, but has put the time in all right!!!

Tuesday – 05/05/1987. Day 280. Hours worked 16.

Another sort of overcast day. Just finished at 10/00 pm. Ken my roommate is from Middlesbrough. He was telling me that Joe the storeman who is also from there, waited up until 11/45 last night for the football results. They needed one point to be promoted. He hadn’t had a drink all night, when he heard they had won, he sat up all night and drunk a whole bottle of whiskey to himself. It seems he was totally pissed at work this morning. I am not surprised!

Wednesday – 06/05/1987. Day 281. Hours worked 14- ½.

Been a bright but again very windy day. Bloody cold at times. I have just finished, 8/30, just had dinner and a shower. I feel totally rotten. It started this morning; my guts were really aching. I went and sat on the toilet, then I was feeling sick and was at one point. I also had a headache and was feeling light headed at times. I am in bed now, but feel very hot, I just want an early night, but that is almost  impossible here, there is just so much noise, all the time. When do these people sleep? I think half go out and leave their radios blaring and the rest come in pissed and fall asleep, with the radios blaring. 

   Hopefully I will spend tomorrow night at Tizi, I hope everything is okay, regarding my passport, etc.  

Thursday – 07/05/1987. Day 282. Hours worked 12.

Been a red-hot day. I felt a lot better today, but I did go and see the medic this morning and he did give me something for my stomach.

  We did have a busy morning, but Dick let me go at lunchtime and paid me 12 hours, but I had to wait until 4/30 for a lift back to Tizi. So, by time I got here I had a lot to do sorting everything out, all is well with my passport all stamped up and tickets. I have to say I ended up getting on okay with Dick and Willie, but we did get a lot of work done there!

  BA was in the room when I got here, he seems to be on a real downer, and he goes on leave tomorrow also, maybe that’s why he’s on a downer? It has been good to see all the lads again and have had some good chats. Had a good natter with Iain, this will no doubt be the last time I will see him as he will be finished by time I get back.

  Will have a few beers tonight, but not many as it is up, up, and away tomorrow!!!

Memo – leave.

Leave has nearly finish and all I have done is, work, work, work! So, what’s new? I have decorated the hall and stairs, which I am really pleased with. Also brought a new cooker and microwave and other bits and bobs. Also fitted new doors throughout the house, including the front door. We have agreed I will sign a new contract, if I get offered one that is, only seven months, not fourteen like Wolfie. We are going to do the kitchen next time I come home.

   Spurs lost in the Cup Final last Saturday which was a real downer. Apart from the first two days the weather has not been good at all. Been out shopping with the family to get things to go back with. With all the work I haven’t really been able to take the family out which is a real pity.

Saturday – 23/05/1987. Day 297. Hours worked 14.

Got back okay last night, had a couple of beers but was in bed early. BA hasn’t come back yet, I did wonder, would he? Mind you a lot of lads try to get the extra days off.

  Another hot day, finished at 8/30 tonight. When I got in tonight, I got ready for the shower, I lit a cigarette and went out. When I got back, my bed was on fire. I had lit the fag thrown the fags and lighter on my bed and the lighter must have stayed a light. It was fairly burning, it was lucky I was in and out of the shower or the room would have gone up. I dragged the mattress out and got a fire extinguisher and put it out. I will nick BA’s mattress and blankets tonight, lucky he did not come back.

   Jimmy Windows got sacked this morning. He had a row with Steve in the office and slagged him off, and refused to apologise today.

   There are a fair few new faces here with other lads gone.

Sunday – 24/05/1987. Day 298. Hours worked 15.

Been a nice hot day. Yesterday I was taking a lot of stick about Spurs losing the Cup Final, even from the project manager, he’s a Rangers supporter. Today I am taking stick about the fire. One good thing, England beat Scotland yesterday. 

 Bonecrusher has gone, finished. While we had our moments, we ended up getting on well, practically when it was just the two of us working together at Reghaia. I am sorry to see him go.

  I told Dave the camp boss about the mattress, I had to get a new one. He said he had to report it to Dave Stewart and I might be charged. After dinner tonight, he pulled me and said he had talked to Dave and he said not to charge me as it was an accident and that they had never had any trouble with me. Dave Stewart has just gone up in my books tonight!  

Monday – 25/05/1987. Day 299. Hours worked 13- ½.

Been a red-hot day. I went into the office to see Dave Stewart to ask if I would be offered a new contract and if so could I extend this one so that I would be home for Christmas. He said yes, I would be getting a new contract but the end of my present contract could not be extended as we have to finish on our completion dates. He did say I could go home on the Thursday via Paris like Wolfie did, and I could have an extra week off, without pay! But I will have the extra week.

   Jimmy Windows goes tomorrow. I was talking to him yesterday and I think he has just had enough and is really "fed up with it here" and  is "ready to go." I think it can get to a person like that, how we are treated at times. 

Tuesday – 26/05/1987. Day 300. Hours worked 13- ½.

An overcast but very warm day, also very busy. Jimmy Windows went this morning and really left his mark. They had a party over at his room, (away from me thank God) which lasted until 5/00am this morning. Three lads have been given written warnings for not turning up for work, one of them had his head shaved, it is a real mess. Fred the crane driver got sacked as he did turn up for work, he was totally arseholed. He got reinstated later as he is the only crane driver here. He was given a final written warning, I think he has got a collection of them now!

    BA is back. He came in the room a few minutes ago, dropped his bags off and went to the bar. I hope he is in better form than when he went. Anyway, he brought me a couple of papers, which is a bonus. Must be some milestone today, not sure what? But 300 days completed!

Wednesday – 27/05/1987. Day 301. Hours worked 13.

Another overcast day with rain on and off, but still on the warm side. I haven’t seen BA tonight but he said yesterday he had asked for a transfer to another site. Well word on the street is that he has got it and is going at the weekend. There are a load of blokes coming down here this Saturday so I will get one of them no doubt. I was talking to Mick Cassidy one of the ground workers and he has one of large double rooms that BA and I put in for sometime ago. He is on his own at the moment but has been told he would be getting a roommate at the weekend, and he asked me if I wanted to move in with him, which I said “yes” to. Have to see the camp boss about it.

  Had swordfish for dinner last night, I am told it is known as Broadbill here. They said they are expecting to get some shark at some point soon, I have had both before here but it does make a change. Something different. Got the quiz tonight.

Thursday – 28/05/1987. Day 302. Hours worked 12- ½.

Another overcast showery day. Moved in with Mick today. It turned out to be a right old performance all in all. To start with Mick came and found me at work early on today. He had been to see the camp boss about me moving in and he said “yes,” but I had to do it soon as he had someone coming here this morning who he was going to put in there. So, I rushed back, got the room key, went and packed, went down there and went in. Well, one of the local cleaners was in my new bed, sleeping. And when I say sleeping, I mean she was in fact snoring. Well I woke her up alright, I frightened the life out of the lazy sod. I went to put my clothes in the wardrobe and she had things in there, she was using it as a changing room. I reported her to the camp boss.

   Apart from all that, all went well and I am in here tonight. I hadn’t been in one of these cabins before. They are a lot bigger than what I was in, and these ones are at the far end on the camp, Mick says it is a lot quieter here. Mick goes to the bar almost every night like BA so I will still get time to myself. His bed is at the other end of the room as opposed to being next to each other like before, so that’s good.

    Got well beat in the quiz last night, we came last and only got 25 points, but it was a good night as always.

Friday – 29/05/1987. Day 303. Hours worked 7.

Been another overcast day and a bit cooler. Only worked until lunchtime. Saw BA this morning and he said he had another chap in with him last night, but says he has been told he is moving on Sunday. We were saying apart from when I was at Reghaia we had roomed together for ten months, and all in all it’s been okay.

   Last week I was in the shower late after work, it was dark. Johnny Mann came in for a pee and when he left he turned all the lights off which are at the door. So, I had to come out of the shower and get there to turn them on again. He was in there tonight so I nicked all his gear and left it outside his cabin door. He had to go back naked. The problem is I have to have a shower with the curtain open now, not good!

Saturday 30/05/1987. Day 304. Hours worked 13.

Overcast to start with the odd shower but it turned out really nice after that. Got my pay slip today. I reckon I am 21 hours short and I have been in the office about it. Still with saying that I had £I,650 paid in for the month I was at Reghaia, which I am pleased with, it makes this all worthwhile, and of course all tax-free.

  BA is still here I was chatting to him today, he thinks it will be another week or so before they go and he was moaning about his new roommate, he is not happy with him at all, say's he is a real moaner!

Sunday 31/05/1987. Day 305. Hours worked 14.

Been a nice hot day, weather wise, otherwise it was a total pain in the arse. Had two fall outs’ with Wolfie. Out of everyone here, he is the last person I want to fall out with. The thing is he is he is letting Jon Trill totally take the piss. No one has been made up to ganger since Bonecrusher went, we are doing it between the two of us, no one getting any extra money and there are only three of us in the concrete gang. Wolfie me and an old Welsh chap called Author, and he is just not up to the amount of work we are doing. Trill is just push, push, push and Wolfie is jumping to his every word. I am of course behind them two doing all the finishing. It is a joke at the moment.

Hours worked for May = 207.

Overtime hours = 67.

Monday -01/06/1987. Day 306. Hours worked 17- ½.  

A very long hot day, got finished at 11/00 tonight. That was because Trill put a slab on at 4/00 this afternoon. I was power floating a slab, and to be fair Wolfie came and saw me and said Trill wants us to do another slab tonight, it is tamped finish. I said okay if it a tamped that’s fine. I got down there when I finished and it was power floated. That Trill is just taking the piss.

   Fred the crane driver is going home. His Mother-in-law shot her husband six times, but he is not dead! Don’t know what she shot him with?

    Andy the sheeter is going medevacked tomorrow with a bad back. Mind you I don’t think he has done a full weeks work in the nine months he has been here!

Tuesday – 02/06/1987. Day 307. Hours worked 14- ½.

Another long hot busy hard day. That’s all I seem to write in here most of the time, work and heat! I am pleased with the new room, it is just nice to have a bit extra space. Mick is fine, he is another one from Flowers. But I get on with him, and really don’t see him much.

   Our cleaner who was in my bed when I moved in here, has been found asleep again today in another room. She has been given another written warning, her second in a week. I can’t believe they keep the lazy sod on. Mind you, they really don’t like upsetting the locals if they can help it?

Wednesday – 03/06/1987. Day 308. Hours worked 13.

Been a very hot day, again! One of the cooks has asked me to lend him £60, in the form of a cheque so that he can join the Ex-Pats magazine. He does in fact owe me 50 dinars from some time ago. Hopefully he will be okay for it, or I am a mug?

   We have now got Arthur driving the truck mixer, I am being very generous to say he is hopeless. He has hit a few things with the truck, and drove away once with the mixer on discharge and had concrete coming out of the back all over the road. He has said he wants extra money for driving it. He is meant to be in the concrete gang?

Thursday – 04/06/1987. Day 309. Hours worked 13.

Dave out of the office said today that he is trying to get me a ticket home, via Paris on Thursday the 13^th August, he will let me know. That would be great. You fly into Orly Airport from Algiers then get a coach transfer across Paris to Charles de Gaulle Airport. I have never been to Paris, so I am looking forward to it already. Let’s hope Dave can swing it for me.

  Been a hot day, but the wind was blowing from the north and it makes it feel a bit cooler, more bearable. My new cabin is next door to the fitters and spark's (electricians) ones. They have a barbeque outside their cabins most Thursday nights and I have been invited tonight. Peter the sparks has just brought me a pint of home-made beer to welcome me as a neighbour, I can cope with this kind of hospitality! 

Friday – 05/06/1987. Day 310. Day off.

Been another red-hot day. I have been a lazy bugger today. I got up okay and went and had breakfast and just really didn’t fancy it at all. There was no concreting, they were working on the batcher, so there was only jack-hammering. I was feeling tried so I went back to bed.

   I was at the barbeque next door last night, it was a good. Peter the night watchman kept popping in, and he also goes to other parties, he was well pissed at the end. I got in bed about 1/00am and woke up with Peter the watchman sat beside my bed telling me a bed time story. I told him to “fuck off,” the next thing I knew it was six in the morning and he had come back in to finish the story. He needs locking up that bloke!

 A photo above of me and Peter.

Saturday – 06/06/1987. Day 311. Hours worked 13.

Been a baking hot day, it was 117 degrees at lunch time, we were told, “burn your eyeballs out, weather!” A lot of new starters came down here today, I think some will be on the concrete, I hope.

  Johnny Mann brought me a jar of coffee back and I got it off him today. I said “how much do I owe you?” Thinking he would say, “don’t worry about it.” He said £1. 79p. Tight sod.

Sunday 07/06/1987. Day 312. Hours worked 13.

Not as hot as yesterday, only 100 at lunchtime. To be fair we had the wind blowing from the north which did make it feel a bit cooler.

   No beer in the bar and we are short of fresh water. They are saying we can’t get washing done for the time being as the water is needed for cooking etc. We may all be smelling a lot more than we are soon. Again, I think Ramadan is causing problems.

Monday 08/06/1987. Day 313. Hours worked 13.

An overcast but very warm day. We all, the three in our gang, me Wolfie and Terry went into the office to see Dave Stewart the project manager to sort out about getting a ganger, as nothing has happened since Bonecrusher left. Wolfie has been doing it temporary, but says he doesn’t want it full time. He said this when I told Stewart to make him up and pay him the extra money.

   I had a fall out with Nigel the engineer, he is a real “back stabbing tosser!” Arthur has been told that he has to come off the truck mixer and work on the concrete with us. He is not happy, he said “he is too old to shovel concrete.” Well why did he come out here as a concreter then? 

Tuesday 09/06/1987. Day 314. Hours worked 14.

Been a hot and very sunny day. We have been really busy. BA and two others were moved to another site today. It is in the Constantine stream. They have to fly from Algiers to there which is about two hours then on to which ever site they are going to. They were not flying until 3/30 pm this afternoon, but Stewart would not send an extra van to the airport today so they had to go on the airport run at 5/30 this morning and hang around there all day, He is some boy he is. Got a quiz tomorrow night.

Wednesday 10/06/1987. Day 315. Hours worked 12- ½.

Hasn’t been a very nice day at all. A really heavy storm early on this morning, I mean “stair rods, bouncing rain." When that happens here, as the site is on a slope we get rivers of water running down off the mountain. It will be like that until we finish the wadi, which is well on the way now.

  Whenever I get the chance, when I am not working, I am working on next week’s Bar Olympics. I have put the word out for newspapers when lads have finished with them to do the “photo quiz.” There are three people that turn up the most in the papers, they are, Princess Diana, Maggie Thatcher and Elton John.

   Just heard that the quiz is on tonight. It was going to be cancelled as they could not get any beer, but they got 25 crates at the last minute.       

Thursday 11/06/1987. Day 316. Hours worked 14.

Overcast and cool morning, but a really hot afternoon after all the cloud was brunt off. We won the quiz last night in fact we pissed it, won by a long way. We played very well, apart from Wolfie who only got one question right, we did wind him up about that. To be fair as a rule he is very good. We had a new team member, Steve Bond. He is a ground works foreman. I worked with him in the Falklands then met him again when I was working at Reghaia. He has just been moved here, he’s a good lad. Comes from Hull, I won’t hold that against him, ha-ha!

  Got in late tonight, we had a wall to concrete late on which was a real pain. At the moment I am not going out tonight. The idea is to have an early night and wake up early as it is the general election at home today so would like to get the results.

Friday 12/06/1987. Day 317. Hours worked 7.

Been another overcast day but very warm, we did have the odd shower this morning. I was going to the beach this afternoon with the lads, but decided against it because of the weather. I went back to work after lunch, on my own to finish a small slab, Wolfie went with the lads to the beach. I am going to have a lazy afternoon and maybe have a couple of hours sleep. It is nice and quite at this end of the camp, if they are not having a barbeque next door that is.

  I had an early night last night and was a wake at 4/30 this morning to listen to the election results on the radio. Maggie got in again. I am not a fan of hers, but with saying that, I had the work in the Falklands because of her, and of course, she did get the islands back!

Saturday 13/06/1987. Day 318. Hours worked 13.

Overcast again this morning, but very warm this afternoon. Dave Stewart the project manager came in one of the units that we were in this afternoon after we had just concreted a slab and the three of us were sat down having a smoke. He looked at us then walked on and said nothing until I said, “would you believe this is the first time we have stopped today Dave?” Without looking at us and walking out another door he said, “do I fuck!” And walked out.

  Old Mick fell down a manhole today and broke his arm. Alan the forklift driver found a five-foot snake under a plie of sheets he lifted up in the garage yesterday. They have now put notices up in the canteen. Beware of the snakes! 

Sunday 14/06/1987. Day 319. Hours worked 13.

Overcast morning, hot afternoon. One never knows who they will bump into here. Bob Hancock an engineer I worked with on two different sections in the Falklands turned up here yesterday. He was passing through and stayed here the night, I saw him at dinner last night. He started there as an engineer and ended up as a section manager. I got on very well with Bob, he is going to run one of the smaller sites.

   Old Mick who broke his arm is staying, he is going to work in the stores when his arm is a bit better. More snakes found today, they seem to crawl under boxes etc, to keep cool I suppose.

Monday 15/06/1987. Day 320. Hours worked 13.

Been a really hot day after a few days of overcast and stormy weather, mind you it is mid-June in one of the hottest places in the world.

   Charlie backed his truck mixer into one of the pick-up trucks yesterday and wrote it off, the truck that is. He is taking a fair bit of stick and "wind ups" about it. I don’t have a problem winding Charlie up, as he is always the first to give it out. Time to get our own back.

   There was a fight in the bar last night, Wobbly Bob got beat up by a young Northern Irish fitter, don’t know what happened, at the moment.

   A lad is going home today as his father is dying, and one is going tomorrow as his mother is dying. Will there be a third?

Tuesday 16/06/1987. Day 321. Hours worked 13.

A nice, but not too hot a day. Starting to get going again, work wise. While we have been busy of late I think the push will be on soon. And like Dave Stewart says, “from now on, we should be getting, busy, busy, busy!"

   Someone split the water bag that feeds the batcher the other night, so that has had to be sorted out. Peter the night watchman was pissed at the time, for a change. And he’s the one who is meant to stop us getting murdered in our beds?

  Karin one of the local lads who worked here last year before he went to collage is back for the summer, he is working in the kitchen. He’s a good lad.

Wednesday 17/06/1987. Day 322. Hours worked 13.

It’s been red hot, and it is only lunch time and we have got a real busy afternoon and evening coming up. I won the tote and a full house at the Bingo last night, and I was only talked into going by Mick my roommate.

   Wolfie, Terry and I got a right bollocking off Stewart today. We knew he was on the way down so we stopped him and asked for an extra man to help us as we are concreting road slabs all the time and will be really busy. Well a person would have thought we had said we were “going to murder his family.” He went totally bonkers, I mean really mad. He wouldn’t listen to us at all, we did in fact get a, “fuck off!” As he walked away. That was first thing this morning, and we have been told since he had a raging hangover. Tosser!!!

Thursday 18/06/1987. Day 323. Hours worked 13.

Been an overcast day and is now pissing down, 9/30 pm. Had the Bar Olympics last night. I did the scoring etc, it went well and loads of lads said they had a good night and enjoyed it. That’s the main thing, a bit of fun.

  Dave Stewart has been a lot better with us today, the thing is you never know with that man? One minute he is fine and the next minute he is "going to kill people!" A bit like George we had with us, “Expresso – Depresso. I think Dave goes on leave tomorrow, which will make a nice break for us all. He always gets like this before his leave. Maybe he doesn’t like going home?

Friday 19/06/1987. Day 324. Hours worked 7.

A nice but windy day. Finished at lunch time and I am having a lazy afternoon, will have a sleep at some point. We are away from all the drunks at the bar here.

  They had a barbeque outside last night. I wasn’t going to go as I was worn out and wanted an early night and had already eaten in the canteen. Because of the noise I was about to go and have a few beers with them when it totally lashed down, so that ended that. I read for a while then went to sleep. I was woken at 11/30 by some drunken lads going into Jimmy’s room next door to tell him he was late for work and to get up and get dressed, which he did do!!!

Saturday 20/06/1987. Day 325. Hours worked 15.

Been a red-hot day, nearly blew it today. Jon Trill, his first day back and Dave Stewarts first day away. We are totally flat out, just the three of us on road slabs. He came down and started shouting about getting more done. I told him to, “poke your fucking job!” I went to the office and jacked then went to my room. Trill came in a little while after and said he “was sorry and he was out of order and would I please go back to work?” I did, as I have only got seven weeks to go! But these lot can not keep pushing us like that and talk to us how they do. Tosser’s!!!

Sunday 21/06/1987. Day 326. Hours worked 13.

Been another red-hot day. Jon Trill hasn’t been anywhere near me today. I did see him talking to Wolfie at one point, but I don’t know about what? The fact is I don’t want to talk to him at the moment as I am still totally pissed off the way he talked to us. I know they are under pressure, but giving it all to us is not going to help matters at all. And as manager he should not be passing the pressure on like that, very poor management. After all that I don’t know how I will stand for a new contract, but at the moment, “frankly my dear, I couldn’t give a fuck!”

Monday 22/06/1987. Day 327. Hours worked 14.

Another hot day. Ken Reilly a chippie I worked with in the Falklands, a Welshman finished his contract today. He is not coming back which is a pity, we always got on well, he’s a good lad. He was on the forklift when I first got here. He said he was gutted when they took him off it as he said he enjoyed having a changed.

    A load of directors came around today and are meant to have said in the office later “there are over 200 men on this site doing fuck all.” I personally think it’s a wind up. We never bloody stop. And if it’s not a wind up, they can “get stuffed,” the tosser’s.  

Tuesday 23/06/1987. Day 328. Hours worked 13.

Hot morning, cooler and overcast this afternoon. When I was on leave last I hired a video recorder for my sister Linda’s and brother-in-law Bobs 25 wedding anniversary party, which was last week. I am told it went down really well. Our Paul was mainly doing the filming, I am looking forward to seeing it when I get home.

   Jon Trill is having a real push on the work while Dave Stewart is away, he is really trying to make a name for himself, well he is doing that alright, the name is “Tosser!” I think it was him who made up what the directors are meant to have said.

   I was meant to go on the new bar committee, but I am not going to as I don’t like the way John the new barman wants to run it. I will just do the Bar Olympics every now and then, and the football results. That’s plenty enough for me as I get very little time to myself.

Wednesday 24/06/1987. Day 329. Hours worked 13.

Yet another red-hot day. Been really busy. We concreted a wall yesterday afternoon and when the chippies stripped it today it had turned out really badly. Joe the chippie came and found me so I could make it good. I am pleased to say I hadn’t been on it, as I was finishing a road slab at the time. I was telling Wolfie this afternoon when Jon Trill came marching over. Wolfie said, “I ain’t getting a blocking” and done a runner leaving me and Terry. As it happened he didn’t mention it. I put a notice up on the sports board near where we sit tonight saying:

                 A court marshal will be held for,

                                 Wolfie Locke.

            For cowardice in the face of the enemy.

    It went down well with the lads, and Wolfie said he deserved it.

 

Thursday 25/06/1987. Day 330. Hours worked 13.

Been red-hot again today, the hottest so far this year, and again we haven’t stopped. Jon Trill came to us today and asked could we do six road slabs (photo above) a day. If we did he would pay us an extra two hours on top of what we had worked. It means we would have to start each day at 5/30am, which would really be pushing it, but we are going to give it a go.

   Wolfie has really pissed me off. He asked me to get him an invite to the barbeque tonight which I said I would. I went and had a word with Peter the sparks, who said no problem. He went to see Wolfie, and he said, “no!” What was that all about. Made me look at right twat! Did he do it because I put the notice up. I wonder? 

Friday 26/06/1987. Day 331. Hours worked 9.

A red-hot day, we only worked until 12/30. We are starting at 5/30 as of tomorrow morning. So, I will have a lazy afternoon and get a bit rest while I can.

   Clarence, the creeping sod, is meant to have gone to the Sundowners Club (for managers and office workers) the other night, with a bottle of brandy, and told them that if they put him in charge of the ground works, he would have it completed in six weeks. What a tosser. The ground workers have gone mad. I was going to say no one will like him now, but I don’t think anyone did before that anyway! 

Saturday 27/06/1987. Day 332. Hours worked 14.

Been a red-hot day. A big fight outside of my room last night. I was woken up as a few of them crashed into the wall next to my bed I thought they were going to end up in bed with me at one point! One lad got a real kicking, and it seems at the moment he is the only one to have been sacked. 

    Had some new concreters start today. One of them was in my gang in the Falklands, up at the hanger. One of them had to be taken to his room this afternoon because of the heat.

Sunday 28/06/1987. Day 333. Hours worked 14.

Another red-hot day. 

   I have been having pains in my left arm and my hand has been closing up. I think half the problem is that when I am floating (the concrete slabs) I grip one trowel very hard with my left hand and I am also leaning on it, it can’t do it much good. The same goes for being on my knees most of the day. I am not going to the medic as I am not that far from going home. I know, I am mad!

Monday 29/06/1987. Day 334. Hours worked 13.

Been another hot day, again! I have upset John the bar man. I put a notice up about some "up coming events" and he had a go at me for not telling him, I didn’t know I had too? What does he think we work for him or something? He’s a right tosser! Anyway, they are having a committee meeting tonight and I said I would go. I was going to give it up, but it adds a bit of enjoyment to what would otherwise be, work, work and more work.

   More noise in the street outside my window last night. Don’t know what happened at the moment, but it sounded like another punch up. I thought it would be quieter here, away from the bar, but maybe I have moved to the rough end of town?

Tuesday 30/06/1987. Day 335. Hours worked 13.

No one told Charlie we were starting work yesterday morning at 6/30 not 5/30, so he got up at 4/30. Been another red-hot day, and “oh Boy,” I am I worn out, it is just non-stop at the moment, one slab after another.

   More new starters today, one of them jacked this afternoon. He said he didn’t think it would be this hot. He would have been told that at his interview, we were! Brian the Wino, one of the chippies jacked today after 16 months. It can get to you after so long.

  Went to the committee meeting last night. All went well, we voted Roy in as chairman, John the barman was very quiet. Another month gone, I will have been here a year at the end of this coming month!

Hours worked for June = 373- ½.

Overtime hours = 113- ½. 

                                                                                                        July.

Wednesday 01/07/1987. Day 336. Hours worked 13- ½.

Been another hot day. We have been working inside, out of the heat which made a nice change, because we have run out of cement, again. I have been with the chippies getting some ground floor slabs ready.

   We have got a quiz tonight, which is something to look forward to. Another lad started here today who was in my gang at the hanger in the Falklands. I got rid of him to another gang, because he was a waste of space. He treated me like a long-lost friend when we meet today. Andy and Steve two lads who were fighting the other night have both been sacked and will be going soon.

Thursday 02/07/1987. Day 337. Hours worked 15.

A red-hot day, I would say the hottest of the year so far. We won the quiz last night, but it went to a tie-break, against Charlie’s team. There was a lot of shouting, mainly from Wolfie, of course.

  It was the first up with the answer. The question was. Which footballer has scored at Wembley Stadium against Gordon Banks, for 3 different teams. After a lot of thinking, I got it, Denis Law. For Man U v Leicester City (FA Cup Final), England v Scotland, England v The Rest of the World. There was more shouting.

Friday 03/07/1987. Day 338. Hours worked 9.

Red-hot again today, went back after lunch for a couple of hours. Wolfie has been well away in the head today. He has been shouting at the lads and getting wound-up. He goes on leave next week, I think he is more than ready for it this time.

    I have just been to one of the lad’s cabins who has a tortoise. He has made a run for it in front of his cabin. He did have two, but reckons one of the cleaners nicked one. That’s terrible, saying one of the cleaners would nick something, ha-ha! He got them from the long grass at the other end of the site. He got the gear for the run and got the chippies to make it for him. He gets lettuce leaves and other bits of food from the kitchen.

 

Saturday 04//07/1987. Day 339. Hours worked 13.

A very hot but overcast all day. Andy and Steve went sacked yesterday for fighting. There has been some “big news” over the last couple of days and that is that two of the Irish lads were found in bed together on Friday morning. I don’t know if it’s true yet and don’t know who they are, but that is the word on the street at the moment.

Sunday 05/07/1987. Day 340. Hours worked 13.

Same as yesterday regarding the weather, overcast but still very hot. It was trying to rain at one point but never came to anything.

    I was called in the office today to sign my new contract, but didn’t as it was for 12 months and not for six as I had agreed. Dave said to come back in tomorrow and he would sort it out. I am not doing another year here; the family would murder me anyway.

Memo – Wimbledon men’s singles tennis final.

I always bring my radio out to work at the weekends if there is any sport on. If I am finishing a slab I am away from the noise and can listen to the BBC World Service as I work. Today (Sunday 05/07/1987 was the men’s Wimbledon tennis final. Pat Cash of Australia was against Ivan Lendl of Czechoslovak. Cash was the underdog but won in three straight sets. The reason I have put this in is because at the start of the program the commentator asked. The question today is, will it be Cash or a Czech? I thought that was great.  

Monday 06/07/1987. Day 341. Hours worked 13.

A hot clear morning, it was overcast after lunch, then a massive pour down later on while we were finishing a road slab, which I had to finish again after the rain had stopped.

   Double good news. The first being that I have got my new contract changed to six months from 12. The best news is that we will be able go home for Christmas or New Year. I am putting in for Christmas, “fingers crossed,” I’ll get it. Dave the office manager said he will try and fix it for me. Also, he has booked on a 7/30 Air France fight on the Thursday (a person can only fly direct to Heathrow Tuesday and Friday) so it is change at Paris and he said I should be in nice and early. Good old Dave.

Tuesday 07/07/1987. Day 342. Hours worked 14.

Been another hot day. Two of the lads had their room done over today. It seems they made a right mess of it and nicked a lot of things. Alan the camp boss has said it was kids that got in. No one seems to believe him, everyone thinks it’s the cleaners. He does defend them a lot.

  Two lads went home today. One was because he was ill, I don’t know what’s wrong with him as of yet? The others wife is ill and has been taken into hospital. We are back to starting at 5/30 again tomorrow morning.

Wednesday 08/07/1987. Day 343. Hours worked 14.

Been a red-hot day again. Jon Trill asked me today if I would take over from Wolfie while he is on leave, I said “yes.” I don’t mind helping out, so long he doesn’t try to take the piss, like he does with Wolfie at times.

   We started at 5/30 today but ended up only doing two slabs as there were problems with the batcher again. John Trill told one of our lads that four road slabs had to be jacked hammered out. The lad told me, so I pulled Jon the next time I saw him and he said, “I was only joking.” I was close to saying, “I didn’t know you possessed a sense of humour Jon?” But stopped myself.

   The post has been bad for over a week now, we were told it was because of the Independence Day Bank Holiday.

Thursday 09/07/1987. Day 345. Hours worked 14.

 

A long hot busy day. Had a good night at the Bar Olympics last night. Wolfie was singing at the end, he is off home in the morning, lucky sod.

   Jon Trill has given us a “job and finish” for tomorrow, he said he would give 15 hours if we concrete 6 road slabs. I talked to the lads about it, we are going to give it ago.

   One of the lorry drivers found me today with a message from Bob Hancock, it was a letter saying that there is a concrete gangers job waiting for me at the new site he is running. I would love to go, get away from here and work for Bob, but I just can’t see them letting me go, but I will ask?

Friday 10/07/1987. Day 346. Hours worked 16.

   

Red-hot again. We did the “job and finish,” okay. We got finished at 2/00pm. It was bloody hard work and we didn’t stop. We started at 5/30 had a quick break at 9/30 then had lunch when we finished and Jon Trill told me to book us all 16 hours, he is getting soft in his old age!

  There was a stag night in the bar last night for one of the Irish lads who is getting married next weekend at home. I only went in for a couple of hours because of the early start, but it was good crack. Some on his mates asked me to write a poem for him for a telegram, which I did.

Saturday 11/07/1987. Day 347. Hours worked 16.

It was as hot as it has been this year so far today. Some of the new lads were really struggling with the heat. Its hard work all the time, but when a person first comes out, boy it can be really hard. I know how I felt last year.

   One of the new lads said he was a concrete finisher, I put him on my job so I could control the gang. It didn’t work. Not only could he not keep up, his finishing was really poor. I hadn’t seen it as we were  so busy, then Jon Trill got me to look at it. So, I have had to go back on the finishing now, and also keep an eye on the gang!

   Fucking cleaner has nicked my pen, the one with my name on it, wait until I see her tomorrow. The new lad who was on the finishing left our floats and trowels out at tea time, and yes, they were gone when we got back. I knew who had them as I saw them walking down when we were going to tea. Thieving gits.

Sunday 12/07/1987. Day 348. Hours worked 14- ½.

Overcast, but warm day, a bit cooler than the last few days which is a lot better for working in. I found my pen later last night, it was in my wardrobe. Lucky, I didn’t see our cleaner as I was ready to kill her. It just goes to show!

   I had a word with Jon Trill today about a move to Bob’s site. He said he would have to talk to Dave Stewart. He came back later and said, “you can go after your leave, but only when the road slabs are finished.” I hope he is true to his word.

Monday 13/07/1987. Day 349. Hours worked 17- ½.

What a day, nothing went right at all, it was just one thing after another. It was a very long red-hot day. We had a problem with the batcher to start with, it was because of the water. One of the new lads had to leave the job because of the heat, he nearly passed out, not sure what will happen to him when it does get hot, ha-ha!!!

  This afternoon Jon Trill came to me and said I need to have a word with the lads concreting the footpaths as they are booking too many hours. I said it wasn’t down to me to tell them. I did mention it to them this evening. He doesn’t want to say anything to me next week when I put our time sheets in.  

Tuesday 14/07/1987. Day 350. Hours worked 15.

Overcast this morning but saw some sun this afternoon but it was warm all day. For the first time in a week we hit our target today to claim the extra hours. It was a better all-round day. Well I wouldn’t have wanted it to be any worse than yesterday.

  I was woken at 1/00am this morning by Jimmy who lives in the next room to us. I woke with him saying, “sorry Tom, but Vinny said the pipes are in here?” Once I realised what was going on I said, “fuck off Jimmy.” He said, “okay,” turned and left the room. He was sleep walking. He didn’t believe me when I told him this morning.

Wednesday 15/07/19876. Day 351. Hours worked 17.

Been a nice day, not so hot, but nice. Went to the horse racing last night, well I say horses, it was in fact camels. The chippies had cut them out of ply wood and painted them, 1 to 6. They made a race track out of a drainage sheeting and had the six lanes on it. The dice got rolled for what number horse would move then rolled again for how many times it would move, the first to 14 won the race. Steve Bond and I went in together, but came out losing.

Thursday 16/07/1987. Day 352. Hours worked 17.

Been a hot and busy day.

Friday 17/07/1987. Day 353. Hours worked 8.

I didn’t release until Saturday night that I hadn’t written in here for two days. Too much work on!!!

Saturday 18/07/1987. Day 354. Hours worked 15.

Been a hot day again. Mick one of the new lads in our gang had half of one his fingers cut off by the concrete skip today. He was pushing it from the back and Charlie was opening it from the front. He tripped as it was opening and his finger went in the metal cogs as they were turning. I got him to the  medic who said get his finger, I went back only to find out Charlie had thrown a shovel full of concrete on it. The batcher then broke down and will be out of action for a few days. And that was all be before 7/00am!  

Sunday 19/07/1987. Day 355. Hours worked 14.

Been a nice day, but we have been on cleaning up in the garage all day as the batcher is still not working. It is meant to be fixed by Tuesday, which is a real pain in the arse as we will be hanging around until then. I was winding Graham the batcher driver up today, saying we never had this amount of problems with it until he turned up. He didn’t take that very well!

  Heard on the BBC World Service that Algeria are going to play Brazil here at Tizi’s ground in a friendly, would love to go to that!

Monday 20/07/1987. Day 356. Hours worked 14.

An overcast but nice day. Had Jon Trill moaning today. He had said I could book an extra 4 hours for last Wednesday if we finished the extra work he wanted done, then he said today we could only have 3, which is not the end of the world. I told the lads and one of the new ones Don went mad about it, he wasn’t pleased at all. You just can’t please some people.

  The batcher will be working again tomorrow, so we will be back into it. Roll on Saturday when Wolfie is back and have all the crap again.

Tuesday 21/07/1987. Day 357. Hours worked 17- ½.

A bit of an overcast day, but very warm. Batcher was working again today so we have been really busy. We started at 5/00 this morning and not finished yet, at 6/30. We have just had dinner then we are going back.

   While the batcher was out of action we were moving and clearing up in the garage. We had to move loads of boxes of insulation. I told the lads to be careful as the snake’s nest under them, for the coolness. One of the newish lads wouldn’t go back in there.

Wednesday 22/07/1987. Day 358. Hours worked 15- ½.

Been another long hot day. We had short lunch at 12/00 then then started the roof to the ammunition store. This is a big slab at ground level with a very large store below. We concreted the floor and walls a few weeks ago. I let the lads go when we finished at 5/00 and I got away at six and walked straight into Jon Trill and Disco Joe (another foreman who takes over from Trill when he is on leave). But I am going to book a couple of extra hours as we started at 5/00 this morning.

Thursday 23/07/1987. Day 359. Hours worked 16.

It has been a warm and sunny at times day but was also very overcast at times. We got beat into second place in the quiz last night on a tie-break, and was unlucky at that.

   I started a rumour that Wolfie had got a new job overseas and he had jacked. It went around like wild fire. I had people coming up to me this afternoon asking had I heard, you know it’s a good one when that happens. I had to go and tell his roommate Alan in the end as I heard he was going to start selling his gear. Wolfie had told him if he didn’t come back he could do that and keep the money. So, I nearly came unstuck with my little joke!  

Friday 24/07/1987. Day 360. Hours worked 10.

Been a red-hot day, worked until six. Had far too much to drink last night and ended up thumping one of the Irish lads, Finny. I can’t believe I did it. He was well out of order and came over shouting and pushed me, that’s when I thumped him. It has gone all around the job, everyone is talking about it. I will have to wait and see what happens. I will be gutted to get sacked this late in the day, with about three weeks to go. I don’t mind not coming back if that’s the case, just not getting sacked, now!

  We are having a job getting cigarettes here at the moment. It’s unreal here at times. There would be riots in the streets at home if there were no fags.

Saturday 25/07/1987. Day 361. Hours worked 14.

Warm, but overcast all day. Wolfie came back last night, as “full of life” as ever. He brought a few things back for me, fair play to him, and gave me two packs of real fags. Not ones that have bits of wood in them, or fall apart haft way down, or even explode!

  Finny the Irish lad I thumped on Thursday night came and found me today and said he was out of order, we shook hands. He said Jon Trill had pulled him about it, he said it was nothing. I will just have to wait and see.

   Wolfie thought me making up the rumour about him jacking was really funny. He wouldn’t have done if Alan had sold all his gear.

Sunday 26/071987. Day 362. Hours worked 15.

Overcast and cooler today. I packed in the entertainment committee today. There are rows between Roy and John over the bar and big Eddie wants everything his way. So, "they can poke it!" I have given up a lot of my spare time, which I don’t get much of to sort and do things, and every time we get together all they do is moan, so “I have had it with them!”

Monday 27/07/1987. Day 363. Hours worked 16- ½.

Been a nice day, not too hot at all, just nice for working in, very busy again. Just over two weeks to go and I am out of here, I can’t wait. One way or another I have found this one harder, maybe it’s because it’s near the end?

  Jon Trill hasn’t been anywhere near me since I thumped Finny, maybe he thinks he will get one also, that’s a joke, ha-ha! Mind you, it seems I am now some sort of hero with the Irish lads who work under Finny as he is not liked at all, and I have had a few come to me and said, “well done!”

That is some hero above, but I can a sure you, its not me!!!

Tuesday 28/07/1987. Day 364. Hours worked 17.

Been a very long, hot, late, busy day. Two of the newer blokes in our gang won’t work past 6/30 at night, and they are meant to be concreters. Bloody tosser’s, putting on their workmates. Wolfie said he is going to have a word with Jon Trill, I will if he doesn’t!

    Heard that Bobby our old ganger/foreman is back in the country, but is not coming back here, thank God. I really don’t think I would come back if I had to work for him again!

Wednesday 29/07/1987. Day 365. Hours worked 14- ½.

A very hot and windy day. Been here a year today, for better or for worst!

    Felt really rough this morning, I was totally worn out, light headed, legs aching. I went to the medic and he said, “have you had the shits?” I said, “no, but my guts have been playing up.” He said, “it’s because you lot don’t wash your hands before you eat!” Tosser! 

Thursday 30/07/1987. Day 366. Hours worked 15- ½.

Been a long hot day and I am totally fucked out. I promised Steve Bond that I would join him for the horse racing tonight, I will go and see how I feel and come away if I am not feeling good. Steve goes on leave tomorrow so I won’t see him for five weeks with my leave added in, and I do get on well with him.

    I have packed the committee up and I am still doing stuff for them. The thing is it is for the lads and I don’t like letting them down.

Friday 31/07/1987. Day 367. Hours worked 7- ½.

A very hot day, got away after lunch. I put my washing on in the laundry and just went to see how it was getting on and some tosser had taken it out and left it soaking on the side with suds on it. So, I had to wash it all out.

  Steve me and big Gerry won the last race on a horse we brought together and won over 200 Da between us, that will do just nicely in the run up to going home. And we had a really good night.

Photo of Steve and I above with our winnings.

Hours worked July = 443.

Overtime hours = 183. 

                                                                                                 August.

 Saturday 01/08/1987. Day 368. Hours worked 17- ½.

Another month gone and I go home in this one! A red-hot day. I had far too much to drink after the horse racing on Thursday night. I came back here and got in bed and went to sleep, then woke up next door in Jimmy’s spare bed. Don’t know what happened there, I must have been sleep walking. That makes up for Jimmy waking me up in the night the other week.

Sunday 02/08/1987. Day 369. Hours worked 16.

A burning hot day, no clouds or wind, just the sun burning down on us. The batcher broke down, again tonight. They reckon it could be out of action for a week as they need new parts, I hate it when that happens as we normally end up messing about and time really drags.

   The spray we use to spray the concrete curing liquid, the washer on it split today, so I tried to nick the one on Graham’s spay at the batcher, and he caught me, he wasn’t happy.

   Still no Chillia fags, as if they could be worst, the ones we have getting are!

Monday 03/08/1987. Day 370. Hours worked 13- ½.

Been another red-hot day and very long with no concrete with the batcher having broke down. I hate it when that happens, just messing about all day.

  I had been trying to keep the leave out of my mind, but of course with nothing much on today, I have been thinking about it a lot, I can’t wait! 

Tuesday 04/08/1987. Day 371. Hours worked 13- ½.

Another hot day. Don and Paul in our gang have had problems today. First off, they got a bollocking from Jon Trill for going to lunch early, then they ended up having a row with Dave Stewart because he caught them lazing around, not doing anything. I think he had been watching them for a while. They then rounded the day off with another argument with Jon Trill. Not sure what that was about, Wolfie and I think Stewart sent Trill down to have a go at them.

   Don has said, "he will not be coming back after his leave." I reckon it because he has to work!   

Wednesday 05/08/1987. Day 372. Hours worked 13- ½.

Been a hot day. Jon Trill came down today to give Don and Paul a written warning for riding two on a dumper, they called his bluff and refused to take it, after another argument with him. Trill left and never came back. They reckon they have got away with it, I am not so sure, “watch this space?”

  John has packed in the bar, Dave Stewart said he was spending too much time in there. Stewart is cracking up again, raring up on people. He put another notice up in the canteen, having a go at everyone, about meal breaks, finishing times and loads more.

Thursday 06/08/1987. Day 373. Hours worked 17.

The batcher is fixed so we have been back on concrete today, a long hot day, but it does go in fast when we are busy.

  Our team won the Bar-Olympics last night. Roy and I ran it between us. I played crib for our team and won 3 out of 5 games. I have to say I really enjoyed it.

   This time next week I will be at home, all being well, I just can’t wait. I have been to the medic about feeling and ill again. He had put loads of lads on the sick for it, so I pulled him why he had sent me back to work? He said, “because I knew you could take more.” More to the point that I am in the concrete gang. Tosser!

Friday 07/08/1987. Day 374. Hours worked 10- ½.

Been a hot day. We worked all day, very busy. I have started getting ready to go, got me stuff out and got the things cleaned I will be going home in. I put a pair of trousers on for the first time in over three months and it felt really strange.

    Had an early night last night. They did have a barbeque outside the window and I had been invited but was feeling really worn out. I did have a problem with the noise they were making so I turned the AC up high to drown them out.

Saturday 08/08/1987. Day 375. Hours worked 15.

Another hot day. With me doing the time sheets for Wolfie he is worried I am booking too many hours. I said if there is a problem it is me that will get the “dogging,” Jon Trill came and had a go at him about it, ha-ha! I have only booked extra time when we have hit our targets or when we work through our launch breaks, I told Trill that and he went away shaking his head. I bet he docks us hours, the tosser.

Sunday 09/08/1987. Day 376. Hours worked 13- ½.

Been another long hot day, I am totally worn out. I have just finished at 8/30, I am going to bed now, night-night!

Monday 10/08/1987. Day 377. Hours worked 13- ½.

We were told it was the hottest day of the year here so far. 126 degrees with that hot wind blowing. I had a job getting through the day, as being on your hands and knees all day in that heat, it is just murder. My body is covered in white lines and that is when a person sweats and it just dries on your body immediately and the white lines are salt.

   Still have just turned the page in my dairy to going home this week, two days to go. I am more than ready for this one as it has been a long hard few months for me!

Tuesday 11/08/1987. Day 378. Hours worked 15.

Believe it or not it has been hotter than yesterday today, and again it has almost killed me. Outside doing these road slabs is really hard work, with no cover from the burning yellow ball in the sky! As I am the only one doing the finishing it is bloody hard work keeping up with it before it goes rock hard, there is no stopping once you start.

    Jon Trill came back to the lads today with the written warning, and they wouldn’t take them again. It is funny, but they won’t get away with it, surely not! Can a person refuse a written warning?

Wednesday 12/08/1987. Day 379. Hours worked 13- ½.

Another red-hot day, last day for three weeks! Everyone gets away early on their last afternoon, you’ve guest it, not me! We started at "5 bells" this morning, worked through lunch and didn’t get finished until 5/30. Wolfie and Jon Trill came to me and said would I stay and do another two road slabs, I told them what to do!

    Pat Shea the foreman got covered in white paint from head to toe. He walked under a raised forklift with a pot of paint on it and a can of paint fell of him. It’s not funny Tom, hand over mouth! A Question of Arrows tonight, if there is any beer. Still up early tomorrow for the flight HOME! 

Hours worked for August = 172.

Overtime hours = 62.

Memo – leave.

Well it is the Tuesday before I go back on Friday. While it has gone fast, we have done a lot. In the first four days I put a new kitchen in. The wife had it all ready for me so it was a case of hiring a van to get the gear then get on with it.

   I then hired a car and we went out a lot with the two younger ones, Claire and Jean and we also took my Mum with us. We went to London Zoo, Hastings, Bournemouth, Windsor Safari Park, and lots of other drives out and I have it until Thursday and I am taking the girls to a nearby fair tonight. We also had a party on Saturday the 22^nd for our 15^th wedding anniversary, which was really good.

   On the day of our anniversary the 19^th August there was a mass shooting in Hungerford Berkshire which is not that far from us. A chap called Michael Ryan, who was only 27 shoot 16 people dead including his own mother and himself, which made it 17 dead.  

                                                                          September.

Saturday 05/09/1987. Day 402. Hours worked 13.

 

Back again! Past 400 days on Thursday just gone, it must be some kind of mile-stone, not sure what? I have to say I am sicker than ever to come back this time. Having a really good leave of course makes it harder. Mind you I have to come back to replace all the money we spent, ha-ha!

    Seems to have been a fair bit of change in personnel in the last few weeks. Sackings, jackings and lads moved to other sites. The biggest one is Dave Stewart the project manager has gone to another site, Jon Trill is now running the site, that could be interesting. At the moment there is, “no beer, no fun, no good!”

Sunday 06/09/1987. Day 403. Hours worked 13.

A hot day but a bit cooler than yesterday, I have to get back into working in this heat again. It nearly killed me before I went on leave, all the heat and none stop work most of the time. Still winter is on the way which is not as bad as ours, so that will be a bit easier to work in.

   The batcher broke down again this afternoon, no word yet how long it will be out of action, hopefully not too long. It does my head in when we are not concreting.

Monday 07/09/1987. Day 404. Hours worked 13.

Been another hot day, I am getting into it a bit more, the heat that is. Still I had the AC on night as it is so hot in the room. When I first did it I thought I would not get to sleep because of the noise, but I have found the drone is almost hypnotising.

  The Brummie (from Birmingham) finishing foreman “Disco Joe” is taking over from Jon Trill as GF next week. I don’t have a lot of time for him. My old roommate BA worked for him at one point and didn’t have much good to say about him.

   We have just been doing mess-about jobs today as there is no concrete and it is doing my head in. My heart is just not in it here anymore, I hope it changes.

Tuesday 08/09/1987. Day 405. Hours worked 13.

Been another hot day. I thought I was getting back into it yesterday but I am really struggling today I am just totally worn out and feel really rubbish and on top of that I hurt my foot tonight just before we finished and it has swollen up, I can hardly walk on it at the moment, it is killing me.

   I am not happy with being back at all. We could do with the money, but with the way we are treated here and the conditions, Christmas seems a long way off. My roommate Mick is back from leave tonight. We had a couple of loads of concrete from a local site nearby this afternoon. 

Wednesday 09/09/1987. Day 406. Hours worked 10 sick.

A red-hot day again today. I haven’t been in today as I was having a job walking on my foot this morning, so I went to the medic and he put me off for the day and an ice pack to put on it. It has in fact helped a lot and feels a lot better now and I have had a nice rest having a read, back tomorrow.

    My roommate Mick came back last night and he is totally pissed off to be back here!

Thursday 10/09/1987. Day 407. Hours worked 13.

Another hot day. If the “word on the street” is correct, Disco Joe is off to a good start. He had only been in charge a couple of hours and he sacked two lads. I know very little about it at the moment but I believe there was a massive argument and it ended with him sacking them. It was handy when I was in with BA as he had all the inside (work in the buildings) info.

  Went to the quiz last night, we came 3^rd. Didn’t have a drink as the local beer they had was rotten. But that didn’t stop some of the lads! I am off to the barbeque next door as soon as I have finished this, I can hear them outside, warming-up already!

Friday 11/09/1987. Day 408. Hours worked 7.

Yet another hot day, worked until just after lunch time, had a lazy afternoon, with a couple of hours sleep. The Stream manger came down today and had the two lads in the office that Disco sacked and reinstated them, but I believe they got a good bollocking and a final warning each. I am also told that Disco got a good telling off also. That’s good, but we will have wait and see if it does any good or not?

   I had a nice evening at the barbeque yesterday. Only had a couple of drinks but very enjoyable, they are good lads the fitters and sparks, and also make some very good homemade beer and wine.

Saturday 12/09/1987. Day 409. Hours worked 13.

Another hot day. My birthday today, another year older, 35 years old today. Haven’t had a birthday card from the wife and children yet. There just doesn’t seem to be any fun here these days.

   Word “on the street” is that we should be hearing about leave at Christmas soon. If I do get home then it will be a "15-week stint," but then it will a shorter "run in" for me to finish my second contract, about 9 weeks?

Sunday 13/09/1987. Day 410. Hours worked 13.

Steady away-day. Not rushed off our feet but just right, hot again, but not too bad. Some of the new lads who came out go on leave over the next couple of weeks, it will be interesting to see who comes back. Listening to them I am not sure there will many? 

Monday 14/09/1987. Day 411. Hours worked 13.

Red-hot again today. I forgot to do this yesterday so just doing two days. Had my first mail since I have been back off leave today, and of course birthday cards. The post is rubbish here.

   I have been thinking a lot about what to do when this contract is over. I am defiantly not coming back, I really don’t want to be away like this again. What do I do? I have been thinking for some time about going on my own and starting my own company, a lot to consider?

Tuesday 15/09/1987. Day 412. Hours worked 13.

Red-hot day again today. A notice has gone up in the canteen regarding the Christmas holidays. We have to fill a form out saying when we want to go. It seems we will get the choice of Christmas or New Year. They will then tell us what we will get. Fingers crossed for Christmas!

    We didn’t have lunch until 4/00pm this afternoon, we had started at 6/00am. We didn’t have much on after that so I asked Disco if we could stay off after we had eaten? He said, “no, only have half an hour then come back!” He's a tosser, he doesn’t know how to look after lads at all. Mind you none of the staff here do. Anyway, we had an hour’s break, came back for half an hour then came in, fuck him!

Wednesday 16/09/1987. Day 413. Hours worked 13.

Hot, but very overcast and humid this afternoon. Brian the fitter belted the medic this morning and has been sacked, I was told he was still drunk from last night. I believe Steve the office manager hit Dave the camp boss, will he be sacked? It’s all kicking off.

   Barry from the Valley (he’s a Welshman) sat with me at tea time and spent the whole time telling me about sex toys he brought his wife while he was at home. Too much information Barry from the Valley!

Thursday 17/09/1987. Day 414. Hours worked 13.

Another hot day. We had an earth tremor last night. I woke up and went to the toilet about 12/30, got back in bed and was just dozing off when the cabin started shaking. It last about 12 seconds, all the bottles were shaking on the shelf under the AC. Mick had been to the bar and slept through it. Some of the local lads told us this morning there were another about 2/00am, I didn’t feel that one.

   We going to have a barbeque outside tonight instead of in the canteen. The last time they did that we all had the “shits” the next day. I could do without that again.

Friday 18/09/1987. Day 415. Hours worked 12.

Red-hot day, again! We got a “job and finish”, five road slabs for 12 hours, we had no break and got finished at 1/00, but we did start at 6/00.

   I have applied for a job out of the Construction News with John Laing, as a safety officer. While I have never done this there is training and a car goes with it. I am not expecting to get it but you have to try these things to get on.

Saturday 19/09/1987. Day 416. Hours worked 13.

Another hot day. As I put the football results in the canteen tonight, Disco asked me to put up fake “pools results” so the assistant manager thinks he has won the pools. I don’t want to do it as that would be a right “come down” when he finds out it is not true. He’s some “kid” is Disco!

Sunday 20/09/1987. Day 417. Hours worked 15.

Another hot day. Charlie put a big lump of donkey shit in my roommates Micks lorry today and he sat on it. To say he was not happy is an understatement. Charlie will have to be careful as he is always pulling pranks on people, it could come back and bite him on the arse.

Monday 21/09/1987. Day 418. Hours worked 13.

An overcast day but still very hot, but I reckon there is a storm on the way. A notice went up in the canteen the other day saying that they are setting up a “bonus” for us, to push the site on. If we hit the target we will get an extra month's pay each.

   The new stream manager called us all in the garage this afternoon and asked were we going to go for the bonus. He went on for a while then left us all to talk it over. None of us believe that we will get it as they fiddle us all the time. But we said yes as he said we can work any hours we like, so we will get plenty of tax-free overtime pay even if they do fiddle us!

Tuesday 22/09/1987. Day 419. Hours worked 15.

Another hot day. We have been asked to work each day from 7/00am until 9/00pm, to push the job on. That is having dinner around 6/00 then coming out for another three hours. It is going to be hard and take some doing, mind you, us in the concrete gang have put a lot of hours in already!

   One of the lads, Dirk is jacking one day then he's not, he is like it all the time. I have put up on the sports board in the canteen a “sweep stake” to choose a date when he will go. Everyone thought it was funny, apart from Dirk of course. 

Wednesday 23/09/1987. Day 420. Hours worked 15.

Another long hot day hard day, just finished at 9/30.  I had a row with that cow Freda in the laundry at lunch time. My washing had not come back so I went to find out what had happened to it. Not only had it not been washed but it was out of the bag and was all over the place. I got it together but I am missing two pair of pants. She is a nightmare. I will do it myself on Friday afternoon when she is not there.

   Disco Joe is a real shit with what he wants from us, push, push, push all the time. Another one trying to make a name for himself! And I am too worn out to go on moaning about it tonight!

Thursday 24/09/1987. Day 421. Hours worked 13.

Been another red-hot day. We had an early finish tonight as the last two were late, if you can call 7/30 early?

  Still hard to get hold of the Chilia cigarettes, I am getting by, by hook or by crook at the moment. I suppose I could pack the fags up if I can’t get any. Mind you I think I would go totally around the twist here at the moment without smoking!. 

  They have put a programme up in the canteen of the targets we have to hit to get our bonus. I think they are taking the piss. But what’s new here?

Friday 25/09/1987. Day 422. Hours worked 12.

     

Another hot day. I got my washing done today, put it on at lunch time and picked it up after work and spent a while ironing it. Had a nice little “job and finish” which is always good.

  I got hold of two cartons of fags this morning and have been promised more tonight. I would say nearly the whole site was pissed up last night. Very few turned up for work this morning which has not gone down very well with management. Disco Joe turned up later on and was totally arseholed, and he is "our leader" Very funny!!!

Saturday 26/09/1987. Day 423. Hours worked 13.

It has been hot but became very overcast this afternoon. Tottenham got beat by Man U today and I have taken some stick over it. Wolfie and I lost 10 beers in a bet to two Irish lads over the result. I could tell when I first met them by their acescents that they were from Manchester, ha-ha!!!

Sunday 27/09/1987. Day 424. Hours worked 13.

An overcast but very hot day. There is a quiz tonight which I am going to later. There is a rumour going around that Roy has pocketed 2,500 DA out of the bar. I don’t believe it at all.

Monday 28/09/1987. Day 425. Hours worked 13.

Another hot but overcast day. The quiz was a joke last night. Big Ian and Wayne were totally pissed and were shouting out answers and roaring and shouting all evening at Roy who was the question master, I felt really sorry for him. We came second.

   We are having a whip-round for a lad off another site. He fell off a roof about a month ago and is in hospital at home now. It sounds as if he may not walk again, let alone work.

Tuesday 29/09/1987. Day 426. Hours worked 13.

Been the same kind of day as of late, overcast but still hot. We had a load of directors here from the UK walking around today, they just seem to wind everyone up in the office, who in turn pass it on to us.

    The contract on us buying the house is about to go through which is really good news. I also sent off for some Unit Trust info from the bank which I have got from the bank today, that is Dave the office manager who has put that in my head, he knows a lot about them. I will give it a go. I will also take out a pension, as I am not getting any younger!!!

Wednesday 30/09/1987. Day 427. Hours worked 13.

 Hours worked for September = 333.

Overtime hours = 113.     

                                                                           October.

Thursday 01/10/1987. Day 428. Hours worked 13.

Friday 02/10/1987. Day 429. Hours worked 7.

Saturday 03/10/1987. Day 430. Hours worked 13.

I haven’t written in here since Tuesday, with the hours with have been working and the fact that Mick and I have had to moved rooms, I forgot all about it. Our cabin has gone to another site, they given us a room each, which is good. The first thing I did was to get rid of the other bed in my room. I slept all yesterday afternoon after work.

   One of the cleaners nicked the lighter Mum brought me for my birthday, but I saw her using it and got it back, after a row of course and getting Dave the camp boss involved. Thieving cow!

   Jon Trill came back today and said I will be moved at the end of this month to another site. It will be nice to have a change, if it happens? Been a nice day. 

Sunday 04/10/1987. Day 431. Hours worked 15.

Just got in, nearly 9/30pm. Jon Trill and Ali the engineer came walking around the site as we were finishing up tonight at 8/30, to see who was still there, they are tosser’s doing that sort of thing.

  Alan the forklift driver has jacked and goes tomorrow. He wrote a great resignation letter by all accounts, saying how badly the workers are treated here and that the staff were a load of wankers! I bet that didn’t go down very well, but it is funny.  

Monday 05/10/1987. Day 432. Hours worked 15.

A hot but overcast day, another long hard one. I got an application form back from John Laing for the safety officers’ job, that didn’t take long. I am not expecting to get it but a person gets nothing in this world without trying! All I have to do now is to find time to fill the form out.

   I said to Jon Trill this afternoon that he should put a notice up in the canteen regarding Health and Safety for people creeping around site in the dark, to be careful they don’t hurt their selves! I got a smile off him but I don’t think he saw the funny side of it.

Tuesday 06/10/1987. Day 433. Hours worked 15.

It was a nice day, nice to work in, that was until 8/30 this evening just before we finished and the heavens opened up. We were concreting footpaths so it was a mad rush to get them covered up.

   Jon Trill was on the warpath again last night about lads getting away early. He said to Wolfie today could we work until 9/00pm and not 8/30. You just can’t get away with a thing here, bloody tosser’s!                                                                      

Wednesday 07/10/1987. Day 434. Hours worked 15.

Overcast day and in fact on the cold side at times. They have put a notice up in the canteen saying that the lunch break at 1/00pm would be cut from an hour until half an hour. So, that will be 1/30 until six without a break. We would only get half an hour at home. They are saying it has been cut because it is not so hot now and the hour was for recovery time. First off, they didn’t do that last winter and we are working from 7/00am until 9/00pm. It is a long bloody day in any terms.

    Jon Trill is bouncing around the job like a lunatic, and he is not back a week yet. He will totally crack up if he is not careful.

Thursday 08/10/1987. Day 435. Hours worked 15.

A hot day a lot nicer than yesterday. We got finished at 8/50pm and I talked Wolfie into go up to the camp then, he said okay in the end. We walked straight in to Jon Trill. We had just finished a road slab and we were not going to start another, and it is Thursday night, the weekend. Not that we have one of them here.

   I am off to the horse racing with Steve Bond as soon as I have finished writing this. I might even have a few beers!

Friday 09/10/1987. Day 436. Hours worked 7.

                                                                                        

A nice sunny day. We finished 1/00pm, I had lunch then went to bed and slept from 2/00pm until 6/25, then went to dinner. It is something when a person has to spend their time off catching up on the sleep they should have in the week.

   Don in our gang made a right idiot of him self in the canteen tonight. He was totally arseholed and was roaring and shouting at everyone, he could hardly stand up. Mind you he was just like a lot of the idiots here on a Friday.

   Went to the horse racing with Steve Bond last night. There wasn’t many in, I suppose everyone are too worn out. Still we had a good night and broke even betting wise.

Saturday 10/10/1987. Day 437. Hours worked 13- ½.

A funny sort of day, sunny at times then overcast and cold. We went out after dinner this evening and the batcher was having problems so we didn’t stay long.

   Jon Trill came up to me this afternoon as I was finishing a footpath and started chatting. He then asked me if I thought we would get paid the bonus. I said “no.” He said “does everyone feel like that?” I said, “most do. It is because we are always getting fiddled and lied to!” To say he wasn’t happy is a very large understatement. 

Sunday 11/10/1987. Day 438. Hours worked 15.

A colder day with showers, not very nice at all, winter could be on the way. Graham the batcher driver has gone to Constantine today while their driver is on leave. I think they are flat out up there, and behind us here. Mick my old roommate is going to operate the batcher while he is gone, so that might be fun, mind you he has done it before to be fair.

Monday 12/10/1987. Day 439. Hours worked 15.

Again, a bit on the cold side, then the odd shower and so on. Not a lot to report at the moment, it is just, work eat and sleep at the moment. Mind you it does put the time in very fast, and I can’t stand hanging about, it does my head in. I might have said that, once or twice before, ha-ha!

Tuesday 13/10/1987. Day 440. Hours worked 15.

Another overcast day but warmer than of late. Dave out of the office came off leave today and brought me three papers back which was really good. The bad news is that he told me he is being moved to Reghaia shortly which is a real shame as he is a really nice bloke. They should send that tosser Steve and leave Dave here, no one likes Steve.

Wednesday 14/10/1987. Day 441. Hours worked – 15- ½.

Been a really nice day, not too hot, just right for working in. Jon Trill and Ali came down this afternoon and was on about how much more we could get done. I had a right go at them. I said you can’t keep pushing the lads like this, it is too much, it is getting on top of everyone. Well, Wolfie wasn’t happy after they had gone, he said, “I shouldn’t wind them up.” Well I think it hit home. I was on my own about 8/00 tonight finishing a footpath when Trill came down on his own and was as nice as pie to me, and asked was I all right? I said “yes, but everyone one is done in with the amount of work we are doing." Who knows what that was about?

Thursday 15/10/1987. Day 442. Hours worked 15.

Been a nice day, but of course very busy. I am meant to be going to Charlie’s house warming party tonight, he has just moved rooms. But I am so worn out I just want to go to bed. It is 9/30 now and I have just finished, I might pop in there. 

   Word is there may be a quiz next week, but Wolfie has said that he is not taking part in anymore.

Friday 16/10/1987. Day 443. Hours worked – 7.

Been a nice day. Just had a Fanta at Charlies last night then went to bed, I left them there all drinking. Jon Trill wanted us to start a slab at 10/30 this morning on a job and finish and he asked me. We still had an hour’s work to do on the one we were working on. I said, “Jon you are grinding us all down, it is just work, work and more work. Half the lads haven’t turned up today as it is just too much.” I then said, “anyway you should be asking Wolfie as he is the ganger.” He said, “I tired that but he is totally pissed!” I said, “well that just about says it all Jon!”

Saturday 17/10/1987. Day 444. Hours worked – 15.

Been a nice hot day. Chris one of the chippies had custard poured over his head last night when he was drunk in the canteen by another drunk.

    I am not sure how I started with it, but I have got almost the whole camp trying to name who sang the song. “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini,” from 1960. It was Brian Hyland. No one has come up with it yet, in fact I haven’t been given the same name twice. It has been good fun.

Sunday 18/10/1987. Day 445. Hours worked – 16.

Been nice hot day, but I think the weather is on the turn, and the days are drawing in a fair bit. Unlike home, I will say that when the sun comes out here no matter the time of year, it gets hot.

   Ian Armstrong spent the night here last night, he was passing through. He came and had a chat at dinner time. It seems that his new site is going well. I wouldn’t mind being moved to he’s site when I am moved from here. I answered a question he asked me many months ago, who was the Tottenham manager when they won the FA Cup in 1901. It was John Cameron. I looked it up when I was home last, and he took the cup home on the tube! John, not Ian, ha-ha!

Monday 19/10/1987. Day 446. Hours worked – 15.

Been a nice hot day. The lads, Wolfie and Charlie got me a new “stiff brush” for finishing the roads and footpaths. My old one was worn down and I have repaired the handle many times. They wrapped it in brown paper and Wolfie made a speech and I made one when I received it, good fun.

   We had a “little flyer” tonight when we had finished, but when we got to the camp Trill and Ali were stood outside of the gate. We hid and were waiting for them to go when the fitters came past in their Land Rover and told us to get in the back and they took us in, ha-ha!

  The new canteen for the troops got broke into last night and a very large coffee maker got nicked, they reckon it cost over two grand! 

 Tuesday 20/10/1987. Day 447. Hours worked – 15.

Warm morning, but overcast and a cool afternoon and it then turned very windy. We have been winding the other concrete gang up today regarding the quality of their concrete finishing. This was in retaliation after they got pissed last Friday and slagged the three of us (Me, Wolfie and Charlie) off in the canteen.

   This afternoon when they were finishing  a footpath the three of us walked up to them and without saying anything we walked around their work like we were inspecting it then after a while we stepped back in a row and one at a time pulled out score cards we had made before like ice skating judges with low scores on them and called the mark out, then Wolfie said, “good effort lads, but sorry you won’t be making the final.” We all laughed, but they didn’t. Ha-ha!   

Wednesday 21/10/1987. Day 448. Hours worked – 15.

Been an overcast but warm day. I am really worn out, just totally knackered. I am just fucking fed up with this place, it is just work, work and more work, and push, push, push from that lot in the office. And we cannot do enough for the tosser’s, no matter how much we do in a day, they want more!

Thursday 22/10/1987. Day 449. Hours worked – 15.

Been an overcast but warm day. Had another fall out with Jon Trill, it’s not hard. He wanted us to concrete a set of steps, at 6/30pm that need a good finish which meant we would have to wait for them to go off. I said he was taking the piss as there is a quiz tonight. Anyway, Wolfie walked off with him then came back and talked me into doing them. I have only just finished, I don’t think they will look that good, but sod them!

Friday 23/10/1987. Day 450. Hours worked – 7.

Been a sunny hot day. We came third in the quiz, we should have won it but Roy robbed us of two answers that we got right, but he said we did not say it as it was written on the answer card, tosser!

  Wolfie had said he would not be playing with us, what he didn’t say was that he was playing for the “staff team.” Boy did he get some stick, all good fun.

   I got well pissed for the first time since I came back. I got up ok but we only worked until lunch time, I then spent the afternoon in bed.

Saturday 24/10/1987. Day 451. Hours worked – 15.

Been a red-hot day, but winter is on the way. Jon Trill went mad today because we didn’t work yesterday afternoon. He came down shouting as he had wanted another road slab concreted. I had a go at him, but Don who was drinking water out of a plastic cup threw it down and just missed Jon, but the water went up his leg, he then turned and walked away. That Don can be a bit on the mad side at times, but Jon was well out of order, again!!! 

Sunday 25/10/1987. Day 452. Hours worked – 14.

Been a hot day, but overcast at times and it was raining when we came in this evening. I have lost my good pen that sister Jean brought me, I am sick about that. I am not saying it’s the cleaner, but we all know what they are like.

   Jon Trill was bouncing again today, he left us alone, but he had fall outs with other gangs, the lad is cracking up. I think running the site is too much for him. I do think he is having massive pressure put on him from higher up!

Monday 26/10/1987. Day 453. Hours worked – 15.

Been a red-hot, long, hard day. I got a reply from John Laing, no I didn’t get the job. It was a nice letter but no job. I have worked for them a few times over the years and would have liked to have moved on to a newer, higher position. I didn’t think I would get, but I tried.

   I have just finished dinner and will be going back to work until 9/00pm in a few minutes. All work and no play, see you tomorrow night!  

Tuesday 27/10/1987. Day 454. Hours worked – 16.

Hello again, I am still here, just! Another hot overcast day. I have just got in at 10/00pm. I am just too knackered to write anymore. Good night, see you tomorrow, all being well!

Wednesday 28/10/1987. Day 455. Hours worked – 15.

An overcast and hot and showery day. I just don’t seem to have anytime to do anything other than work, eat and sleep at the moment. I had lads moaning at me because I have hardly up dated the Sports Board, tough!

  Word is going around that they are cutting the overtime next week, I hope they do, I don’t need money this badly!

Thursday 29/10/1987. Day 456. Hours worked – 15.

Rush, rush, rush! It is now 10/00pm, I finished at 9/00pm I got my letters finished and have given them to the lads who are going home tomorrow to post for me at Heathrow. I have written a letter in its own envelope to daughter Jean (she is 8 in January) as she is not happy with me being here and said in her own letter to me that I need to come home now. “You need to come home now Daddy and stay here, you have been away too long!”

    I managed to do some work on the Sports Board, to keep the lads happy. It’s been an overcast but still warm day. I am not going out tonight, I am going to get in bed and try to finish a book that has been dragging on for some time, great life, init? 

Friday 30/10/1987. Day 457. Hours worked – 10.

Been a nice sunny hot day. We only worked until lunch time, but had been given a “job and finish” by Disco. Trill didn’t come near us after it kicked off last week. A person has to have some rest after working all these long hard hours. I will be spending the afternoon in bed.

    Alan, one of the carpenters came in the canteen with a load of letters for the lads going home to post for him this morning, and they had already gone, Alan wasn’t happy. I thought everyone knew that they go early now and a person had to hand them over the night before.

Saturday 31/10/1987. Day 458. Hours worked – 14.

Cool first thing this morning, but red-hot latter on. Graham the batcher driver came back from Constantine today. He was on the site Bobby our ex ganger/foreman is on. He said Bobby has requested Wolfie and I to be transferred there when we are finished here. I think it’s a wind-up, I hope so anyway. I don't want to work for Bobby again.

   Tottenham lost today, that is five in a row. Wolfie and I have been taking some stick over it, never mind, we’ll get over it, I have supported Tottenham all my life and I am used to it.

Hours worked for October = 423.

Overtime hours = 163.      

                                                                                               November.

 Sunday 01/11/1987. Day 459. Hours worked – 15.

Another hot but overcast day, I think there may be a storm on the way. There is no let up on the overtime yet, I wish they would. Jon Trill came in the canteen tonight at 6/30 which should be the end of the dinner break. He stood at the door looking at his watch. I know he has to get the work done, but he is a tosser!

    Another month done, it’s not good wishing one’s life away, but it does get a person like that. I can say I will be going home next month, not sure when, but it will be Christmas or New Year? Fingers crossed for Christmas!       

Monday 02/11/1987. Day 460. Hours worked – 13.

Been another warm but overcast day with the odd bit of rain. Charlie, Mick and I packed up work early and went into Tizi for a haircut. We went to four places that were all open but they all said they were finished and about to close, they didn’t want our money, this is some place. I might have to do-it-myself, as I did in the Falklands at times. 

  We have got a new batcher going up, it is smaller than the other one which is being moved on to another site.

Tuesday 03/11/1987. Day 461. Hours worked – 13.

A very dull and overcast day and showers at times but still warm. Trill and I had words today, again! He had the hump because I left early for the haircut. He didn’t have a problem with Charlie and Mick (they come from the same company as him in Scotland) going as he gave them the van. The thing is he comes and has a go at people for what ever reason then came down this afternoon and is as nice as pie, as if nothing has happened. I think the job is too much for him, as his man-management skills are so poor!

   I got a parcel from the family today, new pants, hankies, new pen, Old Holborn tobacco and cigarette papers. So, I am very pleased with that. When a person gets something like that it does make you homesick! 

Wednesday 04/11/1987. Day 462. Hours worked – 13.

Been a smashing day, just like summer which is really nice for this time of year. Been using the new batcher today for the first time, the concrete seems okay. Fingers crossed going forward that is! It is very hard work to finish concrete if it is of poor quality. 

   I have heard the other concrete gang are being moved up to Constantine soon, that means Wolfie and I will be here until the end. Mind you I have also heard that Trill is going up there as well. Firstly, that will be good, and hopefully I will avoid being on another site with him. But what rumours does one believe here?

   It is Independence Day here today; all the local lads had the day off and there are now fireworks going off all over the place now.

Thursday 05/11/1987. Day 463. Hours worked – 13.

             

Been a showery and overcast day, but still warm. The new batcher has broken down, that didn’t last long, just over a day. I blame Graham, ha-ha!!! I won't say that to him, as he does not take that sort of joke very well.

  We have a quiz on tonight and Wolfie was going to play for us but he got two letters from home which have put him on a downer so he is not coming out, I will go and see him before I go.

   Jon Trill told me today that by Saturday week there will only be 25 people left here, also he is going at the end of next week. I think Wolfie and I will be left here but I am getting worried I will end up on Trill’s new site, as he was very nice to me today. You just don’t know what mood that bloke is going to be in!                                                 

 Friday 06/11/1987. Day 464. Hours worked – 7.

Been a nice sunny day again, only worked until lunch time then spent the afternoon sleeping again. We came second in the quiz last night, but we made a lot of silly mistakes and should have done a lot better, we lost by 15 points.

   I went to see Wolfie before I went last night but he wasn’t up for it at all. I am not sure what happened in the letters but he is not in good form at all. When a person is working away and gets a bad letter from home there is very little one can do about it, apart from ringing home that is, or going home!!!

Saturday 07/11/1987. Day 465. Hours worked – 14.

Another red-hot day, I can handle that this time of year, it will be getting cold at home now. Jon Trill is defiantly off to Constantine next week, thank god for that. I am told we are still on target for the full bonus even if we are a little behind. Well we have made some good overtime money out of it, even if they worked us to death doing it.

     The Christmas lists are meant to be out some time next week, I really hope I get home for Christmas, but don’t want to get my hopes up just in case I don’t get it.

Sunday 08/11/1987. Day 466. Hours worked – 14.

Been a cooler and overcast day. I pulled Jon Trill about getting moved when they have the clear out as I am ready to get away. Apart from the six weeks or so I was at Reghaia earlier this year I have been at Tizi over sixteen months now, yes time for a move on, I would like to see another part of the country before I finish in March. Anyway, Trill said he would put me on the list to be moved next week.

Monday 09/11/1987. Day 467. Hours worked – 15.

Been an overcast and showery day. Lads are getting told where they are getting moved to. Burt in the next room to me is being moved to Biskra in the morning. No word on me yet, I can see me being here until it is finished.

  One of the tilers, John, his Mum died yesterday and he is flying home in the morning. Heard that three lads jacked and are going home tomorrow also, not sure who they are yet?

Tuesday 10/11/1987. Day 468. Hours worked – 12.

Raining all day. Jon Trill came to me at 4/00 this afternoon and said, “you have got your move, can you be ready in an hour to go in a lorry to Reghaia tonight then you will be off Blida for a week then you will be off to another site. It was one massive rush, so here I am at the base camp then on the move in the morning. I have wanted away from Tizi for a while now as it has totally ground me down. But I am not so happy about leaving the lads who I had become good friends with over the past year or so. I thought Wolfie was going to cry when I told him. I will miss him most as we really did get on really well, and became really good friends. That is a real down-side with this industry as a person meets some really good people, then never see them again!

Wednesday 11/11/1987. Day 469. Hours worked – 16.

Been an overcast but at times bright, but mainly cloudy. I got here at about 10/00 this morning. I went to the bar and had a couple of drinks last night at Reghaia, it was good to see a couple of lads. The site is finished there but the camp and offices are still open.

  We are working from 7/00am until 9/00pm here, they give you an extra hour on top of your hours as overtime is at flat rate, and a tea break in the afternoon, both of which are more than we got at Tizi! There are lots of lads here that I know, so that’s good.

   I am in with an old Taffy (Welshman) his name is Tommy (that’s two of us in the same room), he’s a painter and decorator, he hasn’t been here long. All there is in the room is two beds and one wardrobe which Tommy is using. So, I have a bit of acquiring of furniture to do. I have done that in the past!

Thursday 12/11/1987. Day 470. Hours worked – 16.

Been a nice day, not too hot but nice. I am starting to settle in a bit better today, it seems a nice site. I have to sort furniture for the room, at least a wardrobe as I am living out of my suitcase at the  moment. I got more blankets and pillows for us today, I woke up frozen in the night. Tommy is okay, but he doesn’t smoke.

    I am here to do the making good of a lot of concrete which to be fair is on the rough side. I found out today that it is the chippies who have been doing the concrete here, not real concreters, and boy can you tell. Funny how a lot of people think anyone can concrete?

Friday 13/11/1987. Day 471. Hours worked – 6.

It has been a nice sunny. I only worked until 12/00 midday. That was so I could get some furniture sorted for Tommy and I. I got a wardrobe, I have now unpacked my things, got two bedside cabinets, two armchairs and a coffee table. Tommy was pleased when he got in. When I first met him on Wednesday, all most the first thing he said to me was, “are you English?” I said “yes” he said "when was the last time England beat Wales at rugby?” I said I don’t know, I don’t follow rugby.” I do a bit and know it has been some time, but I wasn’t going to get into it with him.  

   We have a loud speaker on a pole in the town that is very close to our room and we got woke up this morning about 5/30 with the call to, “Friday Prayers.” God, I wondered what the hell it was.

Saturday 14/11/1987. Day 472. Hours worked – 11.

Not a bad morning then it started raining shorty after lunch and never stopped and is still pouring down now. Everyone stopped working at 6/30pm because of the weather.

   I went in the bar yesterday afternoon after I had sorted the furniture as two of the cooks (that I knew from Tizi) had asked me to join them to form a team for a music quiz they were having, and we won it. A very enjoyable afternoon. 

Sunday 15/11/1987. Day 473. Hours worked – 16.

Poured down all night and has been showery all day. I am working in the pumping station rubbing the concrete walls down and making them good. I have been using a 10-foot ladder to get to the top of the wall and ceiling. I moved it today and did not realise I had left the rubbing down stone (carborundum stone) on the top of the ladder, it fell down and one of the sharp corners cut the top of my right ear. A small amount of blood but it is really hurting now.

Monday 16/11/1987. Day 474. Hours worked – 16.

Been a nice sunny day which has made a change from the last few. The site is drying up also as it had turned into a real muck heap with all the rain.

    Big Scott’s John the tiler from Tizi arrived here last night, he brought me some post, a letter and two papers, always good to get post. I get on well with John. He did the quiz a few times at Tizi. We used to chat about music and football a lot. He now lives in Leicester but is a Celtic supporter, there are a lot of Rangers supporters out here so he has had fun in the past winding them up.

    I am finished rubbing down in the pumping station, it not great, but a lot better than it was. I am now doing a bit of block laying, which will make a change.

Tuesday 17/11/1987. Day 475. Hours worked – 16.

A nice hot sunny day. I got some more post today from the wife and some photos of daughter Jean in them. She is seven now and I do miss them all, but with the others being that bit older, I am missing years with her that I will never get back. She put another letter in saying how much she misses me. She is one of the main reasons I packing this up in March. Bearing in mind I went to the Falklands when she was three in late 1983 and only had just over a year at home between there and here. Yes, it’s time to go home.

Wednesday 18/11/1987. Day 476. Hours worked – 16.

Been another nice day. Little John the Scott’s chippie, he is smaller than me, I knew him at Tizi. He is in trouble because firstly he had a pissed in front of one of the female cleaners in the bogs where she  was cleaning, then he asked her to his room and grabbed her arse, she reported him. He is also meant to have got in trouble in the town last Friday for pissing in the wrong place. Not sure what that was about? He was one of the “piss heads” at Tizi. I heard the GF who is running the job here is worried about him and is thinking about moving him to another site, but he does need him for the final work push.

Thursday 19/11/1987. Day 477. Hours worked – 16.

Another nice hot day. If I get Christmas leave I should be home in a months’ time, maybe less. It is 11 weeks tomorrow since I have been back but, in all fairness, it hasn’t gone too bad really. But I am looking forward to next March, and going home for good. I don’t know how I will get on work wise but I am going to have a few weeks off with the family to start with. It is only fair on them, me being at home, it’s been a while now and in particular for daughter Jean who keeps sending me letters to come !

Friday 20/11/1987. Day 478. Hours worked – 6.

Busy morning and very hot. Only worked until lunch time again, it is nice to have some time off and just relax a little bit.

  Just got back from a walk around the town. I went for a hair cut but they were all shut, it must be because it’s a Friday, I did think some would be open, some shops were. It’s a nice little town, and doesn’t smell like Tizi does. The story there is that when they got independence from the French they blew up buildings that they built, and one off them was the sewage works. Not sure if I believe that or not but it does smell all the time in the town. Going to have a sleep for a couple of hours now.

Saturday 21/11/1987. Day 479. Hours worked – 19.

An overcast morning and rain on and off this afternoon. I have just had evening dinner and I am going back to work now. The boss here has asked us to work from 7/00 until 11/00pm until the end of the month for 19 hours a day. Well it’s more tax-free money in the bank, and that’s what I am here for when all is said and done.

   Some of the lads went to what they call the “tarts bar” in Algiers yesterday and one of them had a £200 chain nicked from around his neck. I think they were all totally pissed. He was very upset, but let’s be fair what do you expect when you go to places like that?

Sunday 22/11/1987. Day 480. Hours worked – 19.

Been a nice day which is good after all the rain we had yesterday. Just got in from work, it is just gone 11/00pm so it is time to sleep, I have to say the days are flying time wise. While we are working long hours here and they are still pushing, we are treated a lot better than at Tizi. While I miss the lads I worked with there, it has been good to have a change.

Photo above is of the horse racing at Tizi.

Monday 23/11/1987. Day 481. Hours worked – 19.

Been a blowy showery day, got a good soaking about 10/00pm, I have got my work clothes hung up now trying to dry them for the morning. 

  The “tape and jointer” (that is work done on plasterboard walls before decorating) in the next room to us, has also been working until 11/00pm, then in the bar till 3/00am then up for work at 7/00, still half pissed. Mind you I think he is a lazy sod anyway. They seem to leave the bar open as long people are in there.

   Bob the engineer is gong on leave tomorrow and is lending me his bedside lamp.

Photo of tape and jointed room above.

Tuesday 24/11/1987. Day 482. Hours worked – 19.

It has been a lot colder today, and I just don’t have the winter clothes here like I would at home. Let’s hope it doesn’t get a lot colder before we go home at Christmas, I can bring some others things back then if I need to. Christmas Day is a month tomorrow, can’t wait.

   I got the bedside lamp off Bob this morning, and guess what? It didn’t work. Good old Bob. I have a small tool kit here, screw drivers etc so I repaired it, it was a lose wire in the switch.

Wednesday 25/11/1987. Day 483. Hours worked – 19.

It started off as an overcast day but it did warm up later in the day but colder tonight. There is snow on the mountains that surround us here.

   Got the information for the Christmas leave. We leave Algiers at 8/50pm on December the 16^th and we are flying into Birmingham (of all places, not near for me) airport at midnight. If there are enough people there will be a bus to take you to your nearest city, which will be London for me no doubt, but I am not sure how many people will be going there, it will be mainly up north or Scotland.

   I will maybe have to get the first train out of London, or even Birmingham if there is no bus. Some fun this is going to be, but at least I will be home for Christmas!

Thursday 26/11/1987. Day 484. Hours worked – 19.

Another overcast day but no rain, I need it to be dry now for the job I am now doing. That is jointing the expansion joints in the concrete roads. The joints are so the concrete do not crack, as it moves. (Photo above) I am filling the top 30mm with a black tar like liquid called ‘Colpour’ which can still move when it has gone hard. I am getting on well with it, but my hands are covered in it.

  The hours are a bind but the GF who is running the job, Ian Cole is looking after us with the hours and more breaks in the day than at Tizi, it is much more relaxed here. It is a much smaller site which I think makes a big difference, and of course no Jon Trill bouncing all over the place. 

Friday 27/11/1987. Day 485. Hours worked – 6.

Been an overcast day and is now pissing down like it did all last night. It is lunch time, I packed up a bit early because of the rain. The joints have to be dry to use the ‘Colpour’ or it will not stick to the concrete. If it is wet from the rain I have a gas bottle and blow lamp to dry the joints out with.

   A notice has gone up in the canteen saying that we will now land at Birmingham airport at 10/00pm. I don’t know if that is going to help me or not, it is longer to hang around if there are no trains.

   I am going to have a walk down the town, then a few hours’ sleep.

Saturday 28/11/1987. Day 486. Hours worked – 19.

Been a rotten day for weather, rained all day. While I can’t actually do the ‘Colpour’ I can get them ready for it as the top couple of inches of the ‘flexal’ (this is fitted between the joints when it is being concreted) has to be cleaned out and prepared ready for the ‘Colpour.’ So, I have loads ready for whenever it stops raining. 

  Some of the lads are on the move later this week to another site, but Ian told me I will be here until Christmas as in his words, “I have got loads for you to do Tom.” So, there you go, still I am fine here.

Sunday 29/11/1987. Day 487. Hours worked – 19. 

Been a bright sunny day, it was almost like a spring day at home, very pleasant. I was able to get on with loads of joints, which really puts the time in fast.

   The stream manager, Holdsworth, has told Ian that he wants us to work on Monday (tomorrow) from 7/00am until Tuesday 7/00am, have two hours sleep then go again, as all the “big knobs” are coming here soon. You can’t believe this lot, well I can!

Monday 30/11/1987. Day 488. Hours worked – 20.

Nice at times but overcast now, 4/00pm, I have just come up for a tea break. Hope we don’t have anymore rain tonight as I will get all the road joint finished if we don’t.

  We are not working the “ghoster” (all night) now, Ian said “have an early night and finish at midnight!” Nice early night, ha-ha! And we are going to do the same tomorrow which will a new month so it will be a good start to a new month’s overtime. I have had another good month for November, so while I do moan about the hours, it is more money in the bank. I am told they are down to 11 hours a day at Tizi now, so I got away at the right time.

Hours worked November = 442.

Overtime hours = 192.

                                                                                               December.                       

Tuesday 01/12/1987. Day 489. Hours worked – 24.

Been a nice sunny day, I worked until 12/00 midnight last night and the same tonight, Ian said to book the 24 hours for today. The “big knobs” are here tomorrow. I want it to go well for Ian as he is all right.

   Well that’s us in December, time should go fast now until the 16th, it will if we remain this busy. I am more than ready, roll on!

    I am washing down all the buildings now with the ‘jet wash’ I got hold of a set of water proofs as I would be totally soaked without them.  Ian has now said I may be on the move at the end of this week, so God only knows what’s happening.

Wednesday 02/12/ 1987. Day 490. Hours worked – 14.

Been an overcast blowy day, but the rain has kept off. We worked until 4/00am this morning, slept until 11/30am, had a late breakfast then started again at 12 midday. We have only worked until six tonight as everyone is totally worn out.

    We are going to have a quiz tonight, it was my idea, now all I want to do is sleep!

Thursday 03/12/1987. Day 491. Hours worked – 14.

Another overcast day, but that warm wind was blowing which makes it a lot nicer. Me, Paul the Londoner cook and little Tony won the quiz last night, in fact we pissed it. Ian said to me, “you must have cheated as no one knows that much.”

    The lads left today for another site, not sure where they are going, I don’t think they knew. That is only 13 of us left now, unlucky for some! God knows where I will end up next, still 13 days to go.

    It seems there isn’t a bus going anywhere near London or down south for that matter for me, so it will be gone 11/30 by time we land and get through customs, no doubt the last train will be gone. It looks like a night in the airport for me then.

Friday 04/12/1987. Day 492. Hours worked – 6.

Another overcast day. I moved cabins today, I am now in with Big John the tiler. I moved as Tommy said he has been told he will be on the move soon and John is on his own and said “move in with me as we don’t know who we will get in with us,” which is true. And I get well with John.

    Gavin and Peter went into lads’ rooms who had been drinking the other night and painted their faces red with felt tip pens. Not funny, but the lads got them back last night.

Saturday 05/12/1987. Day 493. Hours worked – 14.

Big John went to the toilet at 3/00 am this morning and got back at 5/15am, he had gone back into the bar, as it was still open.

   Another Peter who got his face painted went around the camp at 3/00 o/clock in the morning throwing rocks on to the roofs of cabins waking everyone up.

   Its looking like the rest of us here will be moving up to Constantine when this site is complete, I don’t care where I go now, just get March out of it. Four years ago, today I went to the Falklands for the first time.

Sunday 06/12/1987. Day 494. Hours worked – 12.

Hasn’t been a bad day, not too cold and bright at times. Ian the GF got moved at the end of last week to another site and a chippie chargehand, Les took over, but Ian arrived back today as it seems the stream manager (who keeps popping into site) is not happy with how Les has been running things here. The lads reckon the stream manager hides in the trees near by with a pair of binoculars. I know it's a joke, but to tell the true, nothing would surprise me with this lot here!!! 

Monday 07/12/1987. Day 495. Hours worked – 12.

Been a nice bright sunny day. My old roommate Tommy who is still here has moved in with the pisshead Ronnie and has been out drinking every night since he moved in, and pissed each time. He only went out twice when I was in with him, he told me that he needed to be drunk with Ronnie in the room to sleep, as he comes in late and turns the radio on. I would kick him out or move.

Tuesday 08/12/1987. Day 496. Hours worked – 12.

Been a nice hot sunny day. We are getting right down to the “nitty gritty” of the job now. I still have odds and sods to get on with. Still only a week or so to go.

    It is a nice quite little job now and word is that we will get some extra hours for all the hours we have put in. I will believe it, when I see it!

Wednesday 09/12/1987. Day 497. Hours worked – 12.

Started a nice sunny day but became very windy this afternoon and overcast, could be a storm coming.

    Going shopping in Algiers this Friday afternoon with my roommate John. I have changed money up for DA and I am getting 5’s (5-dinar coins) for the phone, so I am looking forward to it now, talking to the family. As long as everyone is in good form, it is a good pick-me-up.

    A notice has gone up saying there will be no drinking on the plane and anyone who has been drinking or is drunk will not be let on.

Thursday 10/12/1987. Day 498. Hours worked   - 12.

Been a nice sunny warm day, just like spring at home. John and I are the only ones working tomorrow, the rest of the lads are off Algiers early. They are going shopping, then to the ‘Brit Club’ then on to the ‘tarts bar’ to have more gold chains nicked no doubt!

   I will be home this time next week all being well. I am more than ready for it. Again, it’s seems to have gone fast in some ways, then in other ways it has been a long 15 weeks.

Friday 11/12/1987. Day 499. Hours worked – 6.

Been a lovely morning, John and I are off to Algiers this afternoon. Campbell Boyle the top man out here turned up this morning with the stream manager, they were not happy that it was only John and I here, we are the “good boys” ha-ha.

  The drunks were throwing stones on top of the cabins in the early hours of this morning. We locked our door so no one could get in as we know what these idiots can get up to when they have been drinking!

Saturday 12/12/1987. Day 500. Hours worked – 12.

Another nice sunny day. We got our passports and the tickets are coming tomorrow, so we are on our way, almost.

   I was in bed for 7/30pm last night and slept until 6/15am this morning, and I have to say I feel so much better for it.

   Had a good afternoon out in Algiers yesterday afternoon. I phoned home which they were pleased about, they are getting excited about next week and of course Christmas. I have done 500 days today. Which must mean something, but as always, not sure what?

Sunday 13/12/1987. Day 501. Hours worked – 12.

Been a nice sunny day. Tottenham lost again today. Bloody hell they have rubbish of late and need to buck their ideas up. And I have to put up with Paul the cook who is a Chelsea fan and winds me up every time they lose.

   Been a busy day, Ian asked me to pick up a load of odds-and-sods of jobs. I have been doing a fair bit of mastic joints, which I have done a lot of in the past, again puts the time in nicely. 

Monday 14/12/1987. Day 502. Hours worked – 12.

Been a nice sunny day. Last thing tonight I was laying some precast concrete logs, of which they only sent the correct number, I dropped one and broke it. I have taken some stick over that. I have repaired it but will not know what it’s like until it dries out?

  We got our flight tickets today so we are ready now. I have now been told that a mini bus will be taking a few of us down to London Victoria on Wednesday night. I can get the first train out of Waterloo at 5ish should I have to.

  The lads who are staying here for Christmas have put Christmas decorations up in the canteen/bar which is all in one. They have put up red and white bunting tape across the ceiling and walls, this has also been known to used for cordoning off hazardous work areas! They also cut the top off one of the large conifer trees that boarder the site and have hung empty beer cans by their rings covered in tin foil from some branches.  

Tuesday 15/12/1987. Day 503. Hours worked – 12.

Been a really hot day sunny day. We have had news regarding the bonus. Word is that our stream is going to get about £430 each, which is a rip off for the work we did in the time we had, mind you, I am surprised we are all surprised, as this lot rip us off all the time. The eastern stream Constantine are only going to get about £160 each and one of the lorry drivers have said that they have “downed tools” there because of it. The western stream, Oran are meant to be getting about £800 each. Now they have said that they are going to start another after the holidays, and everyone is saying, “poke it!”

Wednesday 16/12/1987. Day 504. Hours worked – 10.

Well the big day is here at last. It is now 6/45am and I have had breakfast and will be starting work shortly. I believe we are working until lunch time then on to the airport at about 3/00 or 4/00 pm. I have still got a fair bit of packing to do, but we have been told we are coming back here after the leave.  I hope I am home this time tomorrow, but I think we have a long day and night ahead of us. Still what’s new for this place?

   John and I went out for a drink in the bar last night but I wasn’t feeling too good so I only had two beers and went to bed, leaving John there, I heard him come in but not sure what time it was?

Leave.

Well that’s another leave almost over, my last one here, but what a leave it was. It is now Tuesday 29^th December and we go back tomorrow. It has been a great leave which I will get to shortly, but first the trip home. They put a 52-seater coach on for 3 of us from Birmingham to London Victoria coach station, we got there at 12/30 am. The two lads ran off to the train station for the last train to the south coast. I chatted to the driver and with the help of a £20 note he went back via the M4 and M40 and dropped me off a mile from home. I got home at 2/00am.

   I have been so busy with the run up to Christmas and all. We went to Lakeside and saw Chas and Dave and went to my sister Jeans works dance and we had a party at home on Christmas Eve which we had a load of people attend, which was very good. We had Christmas day at home with family and Boxing day at sister Jeans.

    The wife brought me a new Hi-Fi which I am now buying new records for. Once again, I would have spent a fortune.

Hours worked for December = 196.

Overtime hours = 56.

                                                                                             January 1988.

Friday 01/01/1988. Day 520. Day off - 10.

Got back at 4/30 am yesterday morning. We all meet up at Birmingham airport, the same bus driver brought the 3 of us back. It was the same rules coming back, no drinking before getting on the plane, that didn’t work coming back. The whole plane load of us (staff as well) had a party in the airport bar, it was good fun.

   The camp at my last site has gone, I am now at Mazara. We are meant to be here for two weeks then on to Constantin. I am in a room with a lad whose roommate is on leave, so I can’t unpack and use the wardrobe.   

   Had a few beers last night (New Year’s Eve) but not much, I didn’t go out until nearly midnight and nearly everyone in the bar was drunk. We are meant to be working around the stream doing snagging. I rang home last night but have been unable to give the wife an address for the post.

Saturday 02/01/1988. – Day off – 10.

Have not been working again today as they are still sorting out where we are going. I don’t like hanging around but I have been reading one of my new books and to be fair the hours I have worked for this lot it is nice to get a bit back. The last I have heard is that we may be going back to Tizi for six weeks?

   Been lovely weather since we have been back which is nice for this time of year, but it did pour down last night, the rain was bouncing off the cabins roof. Spurs are back to winning ways. I just can’t wait for March now and to get home.

Sunday 03/01/1988. Day 522. Hours worked – 15.

                                

Been another nice and warm day. I am back at my last site Blida now. It took us one and a half hours each way in the van, there are six of us at the moment. There is no welfare there at all, not even toilets! So, we are using the woods. We had to get food out of the canteen to take with us, they gave us flasks for hot water to make tea etc.

   We got back at 7/30 this evening but they have told us to book 15 hours a day which is okay.

Monday 04/01/1988. Day 523. Hours worked – 15.

Been another lovely day, it is so nice when it is not “burn your eyes balls out sunshine.” We went to the airport on the way home tonight so we could all ring home, I got through, but then got cut off.

   Bob Hancock has said I will be here for a while now. If that is the case I must get a new room. It is really noisy here, near the bar and Tim, whose bed I am in will be back in a week or so. I think it will be a case of just hanging in for the last few weeks, but I have had it with this place now!

Tuesday 05/01/1988. Day 524. Hours worked – 15.

Another lovely day, it is like a summer’s day at home, which can’t be bad for the 5^th January. I don’t like this snagging at all, but we don’t get there until 9/00am and back for 7/30pm, the days are going fast which is the main thing for me. And the work they have had out of me here, well I suppose I am getting a little bit back off of them, ha-ha!

Wednesday 06/01/1988. Day 525. Hours worked – 15.

Not such a nice day as of late, still on the warm side but very overcast. We went to the phones on the way back again tonight, the wife was at work which I did know about, but had a nice chat with the children which was really good. And of course, daughter Jean and Claire’s birthday are coming up soon.

   The cook got me a carton of cigarettes yesterday and said they had gone up to 90DA. I got some at the airport tonight and they have only gone up to 80DA from 75DA. Robbing bastards. 

  My roommate here, Davey is only on a three-month contract. That is up in a months’ time and he asked if he could come back after that and he was told they are not renewing anymore contracts.  

Thursday 07/01/1988. Day 526. Hours worked – 15.

A showery overcast day. Our van broke down on the way to site today so we had to come back and change it. By time we got to site they had set a market up in the street in front of our site. As a rule, it is on the field in front of the site but because of the overnight rain they set up in the street. We drove haft way along and then got stuck by a car come the other way. We were there for over an hour. We had all the locals looking in at us, and at one point they started banging on the van and were rocking it at one point. We just sat there laughing and drinking tea.

   They were selling all sorts in the market, sheep, rams heads, sheep’s eyes. There were card games going on, card tricks, there was even a juggler there. It was good fun sat in the van drinking tea, watching it all. 

Friday 08/01/1988. Day 527. Hours worked – 8.

Been a sunny but very windy day. Les, George, Gordon and Tony from our gang have been told that they are going up to Constantine on Sunday but I am staying here on the snagging, it will do my head in.

   We went into the city after work and of course phoned home, which is always good. I went to the toilets while we were there and I broke the zip on my Jean’s, that leaves me with just one pair to last me until March now. We had a good walk around the city, and sat outside a bar and had a couple of beers, a pleasant afternoon/evening. 

Saturday 09/01/1988. Day 528. Hours worked – 15.

Been a nice sunny day. Les told me today that I am going to Batna next Tuesday or Wednesday. I hope it is not a wind-up. I don’t think so but you never know here? Batna is in the Constantine stream, you have to fly up there. I suppose “a change will be as good as a rest,” as they say.

   Spurs won 4-2 in the 3^rd round of the FA Cup away to Oldham. Let’s hope they can win it this year after coming so close last year, and I will be at home!

Sunday 10/01/1988. Day 529. Hours worked – 15.

Been another nice warm day. Had a note in my post box last night from Bob Hancock saying that I will be going to Batna in a day or two, so I suppose it will be a case of waiting to see when.

   I have been told that Jon Trill is on that site, which could be fun. I could do without that this late in the day. I have to say this is about the easiest time I have had since I have been out here, but too much messing about will do my head in.

Monday 11/01/1988. Day 530. Hours worked – 15.

Nice hot sunny day. We were meant to fly up to Constantine today then on to Batna, but the office here messed the tickets up, we are now on a 7/50am flight up there tomorrow morning. I didn’t work today, but was told to still book the 15 hours which can’t be bad. We are waiting for lads to come over from Tizi as they are coming up there with us.

    A few of us went into Algiers this afternoon, went to the phone of course and then had a walk around the city, which was nice. I don’t think I will be able to get to the phone as much once I am at Batna which is a shame as it is really good to talk to the family. 

Tuesday 12/01/1988. Day 531. Traveling – 10.

An overcast showery day. Flew up to Constantine this morning, got taken to the base camp there, then after lunch we came down here to Batna, it is a two-hour journey and is on the way to the desert. It doesn’t seem too bad a site, there are loads of lads here that I know which is really good.

    I am in a room with Gordon, a Scotsman who was in my gang in the Falkland’s and I also worked with at Tizi. We have a very small room but have been told that we will be moved tomorrow, fingers crossed. I saw Jon Trill this afternoon, I was hoping to have a rest from the concrete for the last month or so, but guess what, yes that is what I am on. He said, he asked for me, and was so nice to me! I think he wants to drive me around the bend for my last week’s here!

Wednesday 13/01/1988. Day 532. Hours worked – 13.

Been a nice sunny day and had a steady day’s work. Gordon and I moved rooms, we are now in a port-a-cabin, this should be a lot better than “the cell” we were in, last night. The window wouldn’t even open to let the smoke out.

   There is a quiz on tonight in the bar so I will have a look in at that later on. Gordon and I went for a beer last night and the beer here is so bitter. It’s a worry when a person wants the beer back to what we had at Tizi, I thought that was rough!

   Our ganger Geordie and the GF Mick are back tomorrow. A load of lads who went home for New Year got back here in the early hours this morning.

Thursday 14/01/1988. Day 533. Hours worked – 13.

Been a really cold day, the wind was blowing a gale, it was freezing at times, not nice at all. The quiz did not go-ahead last night. I have half a bottle of beer and went to bed; this beer is rotten. I missed the Irish lad who was going on leave, I thought he was leaving this morning but he went last night, so I will have wait a week to get my letters posted!

    Been another steady day, which puts the time in okay. I am told we get a job and finish on Fridays, so let’s see. Two other lads in our gang started back today, they were both in the Falklands, but I don’t know them.

Friday 15/01/1988. Day 534. Hours worked – 10 .

A lovely hot day, but “oh boy” does it get cold at night here, it is freezing. I have got to go back to work after dinner tonight to finish two slabs which shouldn’t take too long. I have heard the GF books our hours here, I don’t like the sound of that.

  Jon Trill is “works manager” here which is a step up the ladder for him. He came over to me this afternoon for a chat and asked how I was getting on? I said fine, I never said, “I will be so long as you lot keep off my back and don’t bugger about with my hours.” Six weeks six days to go, can’t wait!

Saturday 16/01/1988. Day 535. Hours worked – 14.

Been a really nice hot sunny day, but boy was it cold when I went back to work last night. Chippies Neil and Mick who left Tizi some time ago turned up here today. I saw them in the canteen and went to have a chat but they were both totally pissed. But they did say my old roommate from Tizi, BA could be coming here soon.

Sunday 17/01/1988. Day 536. Hours worked – 16- ½.

Been a wild and windy day, there has been sand blowing all the time and we have salt flats in front of the mountain’s and when the wind blows from there it is horrible.

    I was called in the office today about my flight ticket home. When I got there the office manager said the project manager wanted to see me. I went to his office and he asked me to stay until the 25^th March instead of the 4^th another three weeks. I said “no.” It’s my way of saying, “up yours.” If I had been looked after well here I would have, “no, they can poke it!”

Monday 18/01/1988. Day 537. Hours worked –14.

Been a blowy, showery day, and I am still not finished. I have to go back shortly to finish a slab. Two lads brought two turkeys at the weekend down in the town. They have now built them a pen near the canteen for them to live in. I suppose that is what this place does to people after a while. I have been told the GF gives us 13 hours if we get done early, which isn’t very often.

   Gordon my roommate has been put on nights, so it’s like having a single room. Mind you I have been working late since he has been on them. I got rid of Gordon from my gang in the Falklands, but I am getting on well with him now, but I am not working with him, ha-ha!

Tuesday 19/01/1988. Day 538. Hours worked –16- ½.

Been another windy day with the sand and salt blowing again. My face and lips have all cracked, it is like being in the Falklands again!

   It is 7/30 now and we are going back out shortly to finish a slab and then start a footpath, which we are all against. Two of the lads want us to stay in bed in the morning and say we didn’t get in until 6/00am. I said “no” that will just cause trouble, which I have had enough of here and just don’t anymore, and not this late in the day for me. I don’t want to fall out with the lads I am working with every day, but I just can’t be doing with it, lots of hassle! 

Wednesday 20//01/1988. Day 539. Hours worked – 13.

Been another windy, overcast and showery day. We got finished at midnight last night but told the GF 2/00am, and had a lay in until breakfast time today. Maybe that will put them off starting new concrete pours at “silly o’clock” for a while. Not so late tonight and I believe there is a quiz tonight so I will be popping over there later.

  This is the site that the lad got killed at last year when a one and a half ton concrete precast slab fell on him. I was talking to the crane driver who was holding it up when the shackles snapped, it sounded awful. The medic should have been sacked for the way he dealt with it. They reckon he (the medic) was half pissed.

Thursday 21/01/1988. Day 540. Hours worked – 14.

Been a very cold and windy day, not very nice at all. I went to the quiz last night, the team I was in came third but we but we did win over 200DA in the ‘3 Question Snowball.’ Extra money always comes in handy.

   Got my first mail since my leave today, they came from Reghaia with one of the drivers. Got tax forms and other forms sent by the wife which I will have to make time to fill out.

   There does not seem to be much crack here, there was a lot more at Tizi, but there again I moaned about there at times. Mind you I did spend over 15 months there, I suppose it became like a second home. Still, six weeks tonight will be my last night here, and I can go to my real home!!!  

Friday 22/01/1988. Day 541. Hours worked – 10.

Been another cold and windy day with rain in the air all the time. Jon Trill is “on the warpath,” again. He came out the other night when lads from another gang were meant to be working but were only hanging around and had ago at them regarding how much work they had got done.

   There seems to be more work coming up out here and other places in the world. I have said I will stay at home, which I want to do. Mind you this is a good way of saving money, when a person is at home they have to join that club, “the paying income tax club!”

Saturday 23/01/1988. Day 542. Hours worked – 15.

Been another cold and at times freezing day with the that sharp dusty wind. George and Davy in our gang are staying out all night to power float a slab. I didn’t want to stay out, but it means there will be only the two of us tomorrow, Geordie the ganger and me, and we have a lot on.

   Got more post today, it is coming here now. The wife sent me pension and life insurance forms for me to fill out. Maybe she is going to bump me off??? 

Sunday 24/01/1988. Day 543. Hours worked – 14.

Been a lot warmer day, a lot better than late, in fact very nice at times. The two lads worked until 6/00am this morning, well that’s what they said? They were meant to come out this afternoon to work and didn’t turn up. Mick the GF was going mad, I was told he went to their rooms, but that’s all I know at the moment.

    Of course, that left Geordie and I on our own all day with a bloody lot to do, I am totally knackered. 

Monday 25/01/1988. Day 544. Hours worked – 17- ½. 

Been a nice bright sunny day, but still cold first thing this morning and this evening, but the days are drawing out now. It seems that Mick the GF has not been booking us the correct hours we have been working. I went to Jon Trill and told him and asked for a note book so that I could keep a record of what we had worked. Trill wasn’t happy and said they did not have any note books, but he did say he would get me one. It is total crap Mick doing the hours, I bet its Trill’s idea, we had nothing but trouble with him and the hours at Tizi.

Tuesday 26/01/1988. Day 545. Hours worked – 15.

Been another nice and hot day, very pleasant. Not as late tonight as last night. Had a steady day, not too bad at all. I would like to get an away at a decent time tomorrow night as the quiz is on and I would like to go.

  Quite a few lads here are getting application forms for other overseas work. Things seem to be picking up a fair bit in places, it’s about time. I am concerned about what I will be doing for work when I get home. That is one of the biggest problems with working in this industry, how long will a person be needed and where is the next job coming from?

Wednesday 27/01/1988. Day 546. Hours worked – 14.

Been another nice hot day. Fucking Mick the GF is totally taking the piss with the work he is pushing onto us, this will be coming from Trill of course. We started a road slab late, that is a brush finish. We told Mick we were going to the quiz and he still made us do it. So, we are going back brush it before the quiz, if it is wet we will still do it, if it turns out rough it will be down to Mick for being an arsehole. I have totally given up on this lot, they don’t care about us at all. 

Thursday 28/01/1988. Day 547. Hours worked – 13.

Hasn’t been as hot as of late, it has been overcast but still warm. We came third in the quiz last night by two questions but were really unlucky.

   One of the lads is going home on compassionate leave and he has been given the key to the payphone so he can ring home at any time, free. His roommate Billy has been getting the lads to ask him for a free phone call, he has been going mad!

   On one of the site toilets walls someone started a top 20 song which is growing all the time. A few are, for us, the concrete gang. “All of the day and all of the night.” For a lad who they reckon spilt on some of the lads it is, “Whispering Grass.” And for another who they reckon is faking a bad leg. “Putting on the Agony!” Good fun.  

Friday 29/01/1988. Day 548. Hours worked – 10.

Been a lovey hot but a bit windy day. We have locals who work for us who are meant to lay the concrete and we do all the finishing. They are just totally lazy sods. Anyway, I had a row with them today as they just were not doing anything. I told one of them to “fuck off,” he said, “come on fight.” I put my trowel’s down and put my fists up. He walked away, when I turned away he came and jumped on my back. I threw him to the ground and got on top of him, he shouted, “joke, joke.” I did hurt my wrist which I broke six years ago when I threw him. A few minutes later another of them came up to me and started pushing me, I grabbed his arm and threw him to the ground also, I came very close to punching him, but held my temper. He is very big, but nearly all fat. What a day.

Saturday 30/01/1988. Day 549. Hours worked – 16.

There has been a sand storm blowing all day, just didn’t stopped, totally blinding at times. Tottenham got knocked out of the FA Cup today away to Port Vale, which was totally unexpected and I am really sick and of course have taken a lot of stick over it.

   Went out for a drink after work yesterday as I was fed up, got in bed at 7/45 but was woke up from noise outside at 2/00 am and never got back to sleep until 4/00.

   Got my pay slip with the bonus in it. I got £566 bonus which is more than I thought I would get to start with, but we did a lot of work for that.

Sunday 31/01/1988. Day 550. Hours worked – 15.

Been a nice sunny day but still very windy. One of the lads has been sacked for refusing to do a job, I don’t know much about it, but I don’t think he will have a leg to stand on.

   Talking about legs. The inside of the tops of both of my legs are red-raw and I have had the “shits” so I went to the medic who gave me some medicine and cream for my legs. 

Hours worked for January = 413- ½.

Overtime hours = 153- ½.

                                                                          February.

Monday 01/02/1988. Day 551. Hours worked – 14.

I finish next month!!! And of course, with it being February it is a shorter month, all be it there is an extra day with the “leap-year-day.”

   Been a really nice, hot at times, a boiling day. The lads who got sacked yesterday got their job’s back today, so “all’s well that ends well.”

   I had words with Mick the GF today over my hours for Friday, he only booked me 9 hours. I said “I will not stay on again on a Friday.” He said “are you threatening me?” I said no, “Friday is my day off and working is extra so I will do what I like with it!” He said, “oh okay I will pay you the extra hour then.” Tosser!

Tuesday 02/02/1988. Day 552. Hours worked – 17.

Hasn’t been such a nice day at all and is trying to rain now. I had a real up-and-downer with Mick the GF tonight. He put two brush finish road slabs on starting at 5/45. We had finished some slabs and then had two lorries turn up for some “blinding” we did that and then the lorries turned up for the road slabs. Well we had a real “slanging match.” It was a real pointing fingers in the face. I came very close to telling him to “poke his job.” Little Davy came over and got between us, he said later, “I thought you were going to stick one on him.” They just don’t give a toss about us, at all!

Wednesday 03/02/1988. Day 553. Hours worked – 13.

Been a very overcast day, the locals reckon there is some bad weather on the way. Been a really busy day, I have just had evening dinner and will be going back very shortly to finish a slab, if the rain keeps off, then we are going to the quiz.

    Mick hasn’t been anywhere near me today. I know he reported me in the office and Matt the engineer said when he went in the office he said to Jon Trill he wanted me sacked, Jon who said, “no.” Trill came down to me this afternoon with a smile on his face and said, “everything okay now Tom?” I knew what he meant and just said, “everything is great Jon.”

Thursday 04/02/1988. Day 554. Hours worked – 14.

Been a funny day, warm then it turned cold and overcast. The dates for leave etc went up in the canteen today. My name was on the list but no date. I went in the office about it and there is a local woman who sorts it all out, and to say she was not much help is an understatement. They had better sort it out and fast, I go four weeks tomorrow.

   We came 3^rd in the quiz again last night by four points, two questions. And would you believe it was a football question that let us down?

Friday 05/05/1988. Day 555. Hours worked – 10.

Been a lovely day, but my good god was it cold first thing this morning, freezing. I am the only one in our gang to have worked today, I think the others were on the lash last night. Also, only three locals turned up. Mick came and asked where the others where. I said, “I suppose they are having their rest day off.” I said if you give me and the three lads a 10-hour job-and-finish I will get the two road slabs done which he agreed to.

    I have just had lunch I am going back shortly to finish the last bit then we are off to the base-camp at Constantine for a few drinks with the lads over there which will make a nice change.

Saturday 06/02/1988. Day 556. Hours worked – 13.

Been a nice sunny day. Had a good afternoon over at the base-camp yesterday afternoon. It was good crack with the lads over there, and I have to say I had far too much to drink, but we had a good time. Little Irish Jim, Clarence (who no one likes) jumped in the open back of the Land Rover as we were leaving here. When we came back he was in the back and only had a shirt on, I made Fred who was driving stop and we squeezed him in with us. He would have frozen to death in the back. We had one of them in the Falkland’s!

Sunday 07/02/1988. Day 557. Hours worked – 14.

We had a lovely morning then it totally pissed down this afternoon. We were doing a slab and it just pour and poured down. I think it will have to come out, we covered it this evening and it is still pouring down now. I think it will be rock-hard in the morning, it ever stops raining that is. 

Photo of me above finishing a slab in the garage.

  The wife has sent me information on patio doors which we are having put in at home, that’s more important to me than their fucking road slabs!

Monday 08/02/1988. Day 558. Hours worked – 15.

A really damp, miserable, showery horrible day. I think it has just totally got to me here as I am just really struggling, for two pins I would just tell them to poke it and go home now. Of course, I don’t want to do that, but I am in that kind of mood at the moment. The crap the management come out with here is at times unbelievable, they are total tosser! The funny thing is a person would think the nearer they get to going home or on leave it would be easy. It is the opposite, the nearer you get it seems to be the hardest.

   I have got big issues about what work I will get when I get home, as while I do not want to do this  again, ie, work away, I am worried about what work I can get. I don’t think there is much out there at the moment? 

A photo above of me and workmate Davey. He was working near us at home after we finished and we went out for a drink one night.

Tuesday 09/02/1988. Day 559. Hours worked – 15.

Been a really lovely hot day, a massive change from yesterday, this is very strange weather. My old roommate for nine months at Tizi, BA Robinson turned up here today. He has been at home on sick leave as he hurt his back, he says he is okay now. I didn’t ask him for any newspapers, I will ask him later.

    We are going back to concrete a wall shortly, by time we do it the concrete will have been in the lorry for over 4 hours, I said to Mick about it and he said, “I am the boss, I know best!” The word that describes Mick best starts with a t and ends with a r!                                                                                                                                  

Wednesday 10/02/1988. Day 560. Hours worked – 14.

Been an overcast day, but did have some bright spells. We had a real problem with the wall we poured last night, it was a real job getting the concrete out of the lorry. They haven’t stripped the shutter yet, I dread to think what it will look like?

    They are bringing extra port-a-cabins here all the time, which can only mean more men. The canteen can not cope with the amount we have here now. They put a chart up today regarding what we need to do for the bonus, we are two weeks behind already after just a month. We will end up owing them money at this rate, ha-ha!

Thursday 11/02/1988. Day 561. Hours worked – 15- ½.

Been a nice a nice sunny day. One of the lads, Rigsby, hit one of the locals in the nose by accident today. The bloke went to the office and said he had punched him, it got cleared up, but when Rigsby went back to work one of the other locals jumped on him and beat him up. They never sacked the second bloke as their union man went in the office and said the chap had mental health issues. I don’t think one of us would have got away with it. These locals get away with murder. There was a bad atmosphere with them after all of that.   

Friday 12/02/1988. Day 562. Hours worked – 8.

Been a nice bright morning but with a cold wind. They have run out of sugar here, I am glad I do not take it anymore. I am really aching today, I don’t feel to good at all. There was not that much ready for us today so I finished at lunch time, might have a few beers later on, then a good sleep. I ended up having to make good that wall we poured the other night. 

    All the staff from the office had a party last night over at their place. Fourteen blokes and that local woman, I hope she has sorted my plane tickets out. 

Saturday 13/02/1988. Day 563. Hours worked – 18- ½.

Been just the same as the last few days, bright but that cold wind and a lot more dust and salt in the wind today. I went into the office about my tickets today. She says it is all sorted but I am not convinced and I will not be until I am on the plane. She has buggered up so many of the lad’s things, or so I've been told?

Sunday 14/02/1988. Day 564. Hours worked – 14.

Been a lovey hot day, and no wind, it is really nice here when the wind drops, which isn’t that often. We worked until nearly midnight last night, again finishing road slabs that we started late. Mick was in the canteen tonight to stop lads going in early he had been sent in by Jon Trill, they never give over here.

    There was a pack of wild dog on site this afternoon, the local lads who were with us where throwing rocks at them, it got rid of them. A person just wouldn't want them to get hold of them. We had loads around the site at Tizi.

Memo – Billy the Snake.

This is a chap I have met since I have been here at Batna, he is a ground worker from Liverpool, a Scouser. He is called Billy the Snake because he is the one they call if one appears anywhere, he just goes in, and gets them out. He was telling me a little while ago that every time he goes on leave he buys some baby tortoise’s which he takes home in his jacket pockets to sell for some really good money at a local pet shop. He says he also takes a couple ounces of “wacky backie” cannabis. Do I believe him? I am starting to believe there’s nothing I won’t believe!  

Monday 15/02/1988. Day 565. Hours worked – 14.

Been a lovely hot nice day, but of course freezing now that the sun has gone down. I sold my bigger radio when we left Reghaia for here as I have the smaller one. I only paid £10 for it out here and got 300DA off two of the women cleaners there. When they started haggling with me old Fred who I was in a room with then said he could get it in his case. They then gave me the money, then one said, “did I want, nicky, nicky (sex) with them both for the 300DA.” I said no, "but Fred will," they said no, no. "Thanks a lot said Fred," without his teeth in, he then called the each a “bulls knacker,” as he does with everyone who does not agree with him. He comes from Hull, he is very funny.

Tuesday 16/02/1988. Day 566. Hours worked – 15.

Been another lovely day, nice and sunny. Davy in our gang came to work this morning and went back to his room as he was totally dying of the drink from last night. He went to a Polish night in one of the cabins after work yesterday. One of the lads had got hold of a load of Vodka and he had a real skin fall. We told Mick he had the shits.

   So there has only been two of us, and we have been flat out all day and will be going back shortly. Mick and Trill are just pushing us so much, they just don’t stop.

Wednesday 17/02/1988. Day 567. Hours worked – 15.

It was a lovely morning while we were working inside the garage this morning, we then came out this afternoon to pour some road slabs and it started pouring down. We had not stopped all day and Mick still put on another slab last thing, and he knows we go to the quiz on a Wednesday but doesn’t give a toss. So, we have to go back shortly then hopefully make the quiz later. 

Photo above of, Geordie our ganger, me, and some of the local lads.

Thursday 18/02/1988. Day 568. Hours worked – 19.

Been a nice hot day up until now, evening dinner time and it is now raining. Gordon my roommate had an accident last night, he had his hand smashed by a digger bucket, it is mainly his fingers, they are in a right mess. He is at the hospital at the moment, I think it was too much for the medic. I think he could be sent home. 

    It is 7/30 now and Gordon is back but he is in so much pain I really feel for him. He hasn’t slept for over 30 hours now, he said the middle fingers are almost flat!

Friday 19/02/1988. Day 569. Hours worked – 10.

Been a nice sunny day, it is now 1/00pm. I have to go back for a few hours to finish a road slab. Gordon is still in a lot of pain. The medic gave him a shot in the arm, he is still in pain and still hasn’t slept but he is now totally drugged up!

  The middle support slat on my bed has just broke when I sat down so I might end up one the floor soon. We won the quiz the other night, in fact we pissed it and also nearly won the snowball. 

Saturday 20/02/1988. Day 570. Hours worked – 15.

Been a lovely warm day. Busy as always. I popped in to our room this afternoon to see how Gordon was and he was flat out on the floor, unconscious. I thought he was dead to start with. I got him on his bed then went to the medic who said, “I have given him some knock out pills as he said he could not sleep.” He was asleep all right then! He went to the office today and asked to be sent home. They said they would come back to him.

Sunday 21/02/1988. Day 571. Hours worked – 15- ½.

Another nice day. Gordon has been told by Dave Stewart, our project manager at Tizi who is now our stream manager here, that he can’t go home. The doctor at the hospital said the he wouldn’t be able to work for 30 days, that will almost take him up to his leave. It is ridiculous. He is walking around the room at the moment like a father outside a labour ward, holding his hand. We had the same with a lad in our gang at Tizi, what is wrong with these people?

Monday 22/02/1988. Day 572. Hours worked – 16.

Been a nice warm sunny day. Our local concrete gang who pour the concrete for us to finish all walked off the job at 5/00 this afternoon, so we had to finish the concreting. That’s because of that bloody Mick, had buggered their hours up. They were meant to clean the concrete off the road the other day and he was giving them an extra hour each for it, and of course didn’t. That bloke is a total nightmare. We are meant to be getting a new gang tomorrow.

   Gordon looks a lot better tonight, he is still in pain but the knock out pills did give him some much-needed sleep.

Tuesday 23/02/1988. Day 573. Hours worked – 16.

Been an overcast day, but bloody hard as well. We only had three concreters so we had to lay it then do all the finishing. Then we started new road slabs at 5/30pm, I have just had dinner and will be going back soon, god only knows what time we will finish tonight?

  I have always worked long hours since I have been here (and at home) but the hours I have put in since last April have been unreal. If I was not going in nine days’ time I think I would have jacked. They just grind you into the ground!

The photo above is of our gang, and one of the locals about to kill our ganger, Geordie. 

Wednesday 24/02/1988. Day 574. Hours worked – 16.

Been a rotten kind of day, showers and blowing a gale most of the day. Been another really hard busy day, and will be going back out to finish a floor slab in the garage shortly, but hope to be finished in time for the quiz.

    Gordon is still in pain but I think he is a bit better and has been sleeping more of late, which is good. I had a row with the digger driver Bruce tonight who smashed Gordon’s hand in. I was finishing a slab when he towed away the lighting tower set I was using. He got a right mouth full the tosser. It made Gordon smile when I told him.

Thursday 25/02/1988. Day 575. Hours worked – 16.

Been a bitter cold day with snow at times. Got my flight tickets today, but no passport! It is meant to be coming tomorrow. There is a rumour going around that some passports have been held up. I don’t believe it as there are always so many “wind-ups” going around.

   Jon Trill and Mick were up the camp this afternoon looking for lads who were missing from the site. I went up for a packet of fags, but managed to avoid them. They have stopped a load of lad’s overtime tonight because of it. I wish they would stop mine then I wouldn’t have to go back out and finish that “poxy slab!”

Friday 26/02/1988. Day 576. Hours worked – 6.

Another freezing cold day, bits of snow again and more of the salt in the air. All the water froze on the site last night. The batcher was frozen so we couldn’t concrete, ha-ha-ha! Even the diesel in some of the lorries and machines froze. So, we were only messing about, clearing up in the garage. I went to the room at tea time this morning and sat chatted to Gordon for a while, then finished at lunch. With six days to go I don’t give a toss! 

Saturday 27/02/1988. Day 577. Hours worked – 16.

Another freezing day. Another freezing and of course busy day. The batcher is up and running again. I enjoyed a lazy afternoon yesterday. George Dixon who I worked with in the Falkland’s came back off leave last night but had to spend the night at Reghaia as the airport at Constantine has been closed because of the weather, but the lads got here this afternoon.

   Still haven’t got my passport yet. The lights are going on and off at the moment, could be a generator issue. There will be a lot of heaters on in cabins at the moment as it is so cold, and of course there are more cabins here now. Tottenham won today.

Sunday 28/02/1988. Day 578. Hours worked – 15.

A cold start to the day but warmed up later on. Two steel fixers jacked, they said because of Jon Trill, how he has been pushing them. I know the fucking feeling. He has us flat out, we had to start a slab late again tonight, another late night!

   One of the lads who put in a months’ notice has had a letter from them saying he has to finish on the 18^th two weeks later. I hope they don’t try it on with me as they did say a while ago that I was on a year’s contact, not six months. I wouldn’t put anything past this lot.  

Memo – Jon Trill.

Not sure where to start with Jon? I have now worked for him on and off for about 18 months. When I read back over what I have written about him, over all it is not good, we have had words many times and to be fair when I look back it is a wonder that he never sacked me, I think he knew I would always get the work done, and they have always had a problem getting concrete finishers here. The main reason being how fast the concrete goes off (hard). I have say in all the years I have been doing this, I have never known anything like it!

   I know he has struggled with the heat here and he has never seemed to have got a tan, in fact his face seems as grey today as when he first came out. Many times, when we have had a fall out he has come back shortly after to say sorry, and of course I am still fuming. To be fair he did that to start with, then he learnt his lesson and left me alone for a while.

   At Tizi whatever the starting time was he would be standing outside the canteen and the same at break times watching everyone come in and out, which to be fair, is bloody ridiculous!

   I do know he has a job to do and has to push, but I think he has gone too far, too many times. 

  Below is a song that one of the lads sang one night in the bar at Tizi when he and Dave Stewart were in. Dave laughed, but Jon didn’t. It was to the tune of, “D’ye ken John Peel?”

D’ye ken Jon Trill with his face so grey, 

D’ye ken Jon Trill at the break of each day?

D’ye ken Jon Trill, when he’s far, far a-way?

But he’ll be at the gate in the morning!

I along with many others thought it was really funny, it brought about a lot of cheering and clapping. But not from Jon!

Monday 29/02/1988. Day 579. Hours worked – 15.

Leap Years Day today, an extra day’s work for no extra pay! I had the same four years ago in the Falklands. Where do the years go? A cold windy day.

   Not only has my passport not turned up still, I had a letter from Dave Stewart (stream manager) today saying my EOC (end of contract) is the 4^th April. This is a real fuck up on their behalf. I have been in the office about it and they said Dave Stewart is here tomorrow. It looks like another stroke they are trying to pull to keep me here. They did a similar thing to Jimmy the other week, who just happens to be a concrete finisher also. They are only going to have one, Davy when I go.

Hours worked in February = 414- ½.

Overtime hours = 164- ½. 

                                                                                                     March.

Tuesday 01/03/1988. Day 580. Hours worked – 15.

Been another cold windy day, not nice at all. I saw Dave Stewart this afternoon and he blamed it on the computer from the Constantine office. Do I believe him??? Anyway, he said I can go anytime I want to, “tosser” it is my EOC. He reckons my passport is in Tizi, which I think may be nearer the truth. Jon Trill still says it is in Constantine? I don’t believe any of this crap I have been given. Apart from the passport, they have really tried to keep me here, as they will have next to no concrete finishers when I am gone! If that is the case why didn’t they make me an offer, money to make it worthwhile for me to stay? Mind you, the way I feel at the moment, no amount of money would keep me here! Apart from all that, I go home this month!!!

Wednesday 02/03/1988. Day 581. Hours worked – 13.

Been a rotten wet day. Still no passport. I got a letter from Constantine today saying that it is in a police station and I should get it today or tomorrow, but it didn’t say what police station. Davy Pears in our gang is going there this evening and he has taken a letter for me to the office manager Kevin Turnbull to try and gee him up a bit.

   Well that’s the last bit of overtime I have worked for these tosser’s. Going to the quiz shortly.

Thursday 03/03/1988. Day 582. Hours worked – 10.

What a total fuck up! My passport is in a police station along with three other lads. There has been a total “cock up” over work permits and they will not give us the exit visas until Saturday now as tomorrow, Friday is their day off. I heard a rumour about this, last week and didn’t believe it.

  Now we are flying from Constantine on Saturday to Algiers, then from there to Paris then on to Heathrow. What a joke, mind you I just want to get home now. They did let me phone home from the office for free to explain what was happening. The wife was upset but told me to keep the head. I have already lost it twice today. 

Friday 04/03/1988. Day 583. Day off.

Didn’t get a chance to do an entry today, on the move.

Saturday 05/03/1988. Day 584. Hours – 10 – travelling.

Went down to Constantine on Friday afternoon and spent the night there. We got our passport and visas this morning, then it was on to the airport. Our plane was delayed for an hour and there was a storm over Algiers, by time we landed our connection to Paris had gone. We got a taxi to Reghaia, made them pay. Steve Oldfield took our tickets to the airport and we are now on a direct flight to London tomorrow. Third time lucky, maybe?  

   I gave away 100DA to one of the lads as I didn’t’ think I would need it, I then got my pocket picked at Constantine airport with £20 in my wallet for duty free, so I have now got no money at all. He is not here now but I believe Wolfie is staying here at Reghaia now and traveling each day to Tizi, I am sure he will give me a sub?

  In all that time I managed to get another two free phone calls home. When I was in the office in Constantine and after I rang home, to "gee him up," I told Kevin Turnbull that the wife had said she had booked us on a holiday on Sunday in Tenerife as a surprise for me, which she had not. He came back a little while later and said he could get me on a fight to Tenerife on Sunday. So, I got another call home, then told him she had managed to get it put back. That’s where lies can get you!

Sunday 06/03/1988. Day 585. Hours – 10 – travelling.

Got home this afternoon! What a carry on. The wife had a party on for me last night, but put it back to tonight (this is now Monday the 7^th March) it was a really good night and good to see everyone and be with the family again.  Had a drink with the lads at Reghaia on Saturday night and good old Wolfie leant me some money. Had a very good night on Thursday night at Batna, too good in fact, what a hangover I had the next day, but the lads gave us a really good send off.

   Well that’s it, almost twenty months done, and I am so pleased to be home. I am going to have a few weeks off now, I have in fact got three weeks holiday outstanding. In that time, I want to buy a car, then get a job. I am home now!

Hours worked for March = 68.

Overtime hours = 8. 

Well, that is the end of my 'Diaries From Algeria,' I hope you enjoyed them. I am about start 'Diaries From Namibia' in the next day or so, I hope you will get to read them also. I would like to hear from you on the email below should have any comments.

There seems to be problems with people trying to make comments. Should you have any, please feel free to email me on tomwheeleris2003@yahoo.co.uk and title it Toms Blog. I will put comments on the Blog which are appropriate. Thank you.