Somewhat subdued in the pub this evening..
This part of the country is known for it's historic connection to such Regiments as the Black Watch.. the Royal Highland Fusilliers.. the Scots Guards..
There's scarcely a community between Straenrar and Glasgow that hasn't at least one kid fighting in Iraq..
While the amazement remains that there have been so few killed, those villages and towns who won't be seeing a triumphal return are sombre these days.. as have they always been through the countless wars this Island has been involved in..
Another British soldier killed this afternoon.. as yet unidentified..
Three of the farmers who live just down the road have children who are hopefully still driving their tanks and APC's around the streets of Basrah tonight..But there's a chance one isn't.
It's a price those who have never been called to pay, can never understand.. Yet here, those who have, have done so with a degree of pride, in the knowledge that which they've lost might increase the chances those younger might have a better chance..
Still.. the banter was thin and restrained this evening..
Three mobile phones sat on the bar..