Last into Battle, First in the pub

I arrived back in blighty at 12:30 today. Only a day late, but a day ahead of the rest of the legion. The reason for this was a missed flight. While the rest of the legion are currently backtracking the outward journey. I had planned to fly back, ready for work, but hadn’t planned on Rome’s traffic chaos on Monday. Missing the flight did give me an extra day in Rome, but it also meant about five hours of waiting around an an unplanned bill for upwards of £120.

Anyway, looking back at the big event. What an experience! Was it enjoyable? Yes, in a kind of massochistic sense. Whilst the casual onlooker may have thought what a breeze, strolling around Rome for an hour or so, think again. The temprature must have been 25 degrees in the shade, but we weren’t in the shade. Wearing full armour you build up a lot of heat but don’t shed it because there’s a tin can on your head keeping it in like a pressure cooker. All the participants were knocking back gallons of water, but plain water means you loose salts as you sweat. This impacted on several members in the form of ‘dodgy guts’ (’nuff said?).

By the end of the march (which must have been in the order of a couple of hours or so (I don’t know for sure, because I didn’t have a watch on of course), everyone was feeling the heat and the tiredness. But with constant encouragement from the centurion, we kept a solid formation and polished appearance. Unfortunately the end point of the Circus Maximus is rather lacking in shade, so some of us overheated types struggled to enjoy the picnic lunch provided. All in all a marathon ammount of exertion.

I was greatly impressed by our upportive conscripts (Rob Greenhalgh, Sean Wood, John Thirsk and Robert) who were provided with loan equipment (which wasn’t the best fit). Despite having their feet shreded on top of the other problems, these recruits did the unit proud (tal about Deep end).

So why put ourselves through that? To be part of something that great will always stay with us. The response from the public in Rome was fantastic and was topped by a friend of ours wha was in Rome at the time, when she saw us she went wild (Thanks Anne). Finally, for those who overlook what we do or take us for granted; we were marching with THE premiere Roman groups in the world on an equal footing. I am proud to say that we have acheieved that and proud that we have given Chester a world class Legion. Nothing worth doing is ever easy.

Proud to have participated and glad to be home.

Optio Mummius