Long before T E Lawrence was to venture into Arabia for the same reasons, the Colonel was treading the sands on the back of his faithful camel, Colette (seen here in the background) in the service of Her Majesty.
I chanced to meet Goodshotte in France one year, as he had retired there on being pensioned out of the Camel Corps. He told me that he had no desire to experience blazing sun and burning sands ever again but England was too cold and dismal after all he'd seen. He had bought a small bastide in Provence and was living there with his wife and their children.
But he was more than willing to reminisce about his time in the service with the Colonel and some 'interesting' tales he had to tell I must say. And I shall relate some to you in time.
But first, here's a tune the Colonel wrote whilst on reconnaissance with Lt. Goodshotte in Arabia.
Ballooning Over Arabia (2011)
Midst the brilliance of a desert dawn
We arise on the light morning breeze
Once again we’re ballooning over Arabia
Floating away with the greatest of ease.
With myself and Lieutenant Goodshotte
And our land-roving camel called Bron
We chase the Sun’s shadows on the dunes
Seeking a place to reconnoitre upon.
Any Turks below just see a camel ‘driver’
They can’t see us chortling Englishmen
For when we’re ballooning over Arabia
We make jokes for our friends, the Bedouin.
We reach a good spot for descending
So as to settle Bron down on the sand
Then Goodshotte sets off to reconnoitre
While I’ve my midday picnic at hand.
But it’s not long before Goodshotte returns
With raging Turks some distance behind
And we’re off again ballooning over Arabia
Back to Fort Yeshbum, there to unwind.
But tomorrow we’ll be ballooning over Arabia
Yes, yet again we’ll be ballooning over Arabia
And the next day, we’ll be ballooning over Arabia
Because that’s how the Empire’s designed.
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