Homecoming

Rob got home from work and asked why the roads were closed in town, I shrugged and pressed google and found that The Royal Anglian Regiment were marching through town celebrating their homecoming after serving six months in Afghanistan.

In 1979 the regiment were given honorary freedom of the city giving them the right to march through the city with bayonets fixed, drums beating and colours flying.

They were beginning the march at six, it was ten to five, I wanted to go, yet we hadnt had dinner, Rob suggested eating in town, he jumped in the shower (covered in brick dust) I threw the camera stuff in the back and wrestled freya into clothes and shoes and we biked to town.

The march was lead by a marching band, excited ? me ? hmmm well maybe !!

This isnt the most colorful photo or even the best, but look, look how young they are :( no older than our oldest children , six months away from their families, their wives, children, parents. To me that is unimaginable, six months away in a dangerous place risking life and limb does not bear thinking about .

It was emotional, I saw many elderly people in tears, maybe remembering a different homecoming in the past.

We watched all the pomp and ceremony then took ourselves to burger king :o :o while eating her chips Freya piped up "Well, THAT was fun wasnt it mummy and daddy"

Yes kid , something like that