PRIVATE Stewart Littleton was looking forward to dry clothes when we met up.

The 20 year-old of Stourbridge Road, Kidderminster, had slept away from the camp because of the heavy rain.

He was among a patrol which felt it safer to stay away from the camp rather than try to wade back across rivers in the middle of the night.

"I've just come back from patrol," said Pte Littleton. I've been helping the second-in-command with the observation post. I've just got back this morning. We tried to get back but we couldn't.

"We slept away from camp. That was unreal, we got so wet.We had to get our ponchos out and sleep under them. It was different. It's been a good experience and I've lots to talk about when I get home.

"It's completely different to England. I feel a bit more prepared if we go to Afghanistan.

"We know what the weather's going to be like. As long as it doesn't rain I don't mind.

"It's the worst rain I've ever seen.

"People at home will expect us to be nice and tanned but I won't be! It's been a long six weeks, we've gone from one extreme to another."