H2O

There is a famous quote that says an army marches on its stomach. Even more importantly it marches on its water requirements but I but guess that doesn't scan quite as well.

The next 'exciting' module on our course was water purification, although all we could think of was getting to the module where we got to 'blow sh*t up'.

Water purification is not the most interesting subject in the world. Water is drawn in from a source, cleaned, purified and pumped and then it's drunk.

We spent several days learning how to set up the various pieces of equipment that we would be using. We learnt how to test water for its cleanliness and how to add the correct amount of chemicals at the right time to make sure we weren't going to poision anyone.

The module concluded with us 'putting it all together'. We adjourned to the banks of a particularly dirty river and began setting up. By lunch we had all the equipment in place and water was beginning to move through the system.

"Right lads let's break for lunch. By the time we get back that tank there will be full of water that's perfectly safe to drink," our instructor assured us.

We returned after an hours lunch break.

"Right who wants a taste?"

We peered into the tank and then a snigger broke out. Someone must have sneaked off during lunch break because sat in the bottom of the tank was a perfectly formed, perfectly curled out turd.

"Ummmm, think I'll pass on that one Staff, thanks all the same."