"Why Tango in Paris, when you can Foxtrot in Kowloon?"
  • Walter's Blog.
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    • 1980 Joining Up - Grafton Street >
      • Arrival and First Impressions
      • First Week
      • Training
      • Passing Out
    • Yaumati Cowboy >
      • Getting on the Streets
      • Tempo of the City
      • Jumpers, pill poppers and the indoor BBQ
      • Into a Minefield.
    • Why Tango in Paris, when you can Foxtrot in Kowloon? >
      • Baptism By Fire
      • Kai Tak with Mrs Thatcher.
      • Home; The Boy Returns
  • 1984 - 1986
    • PTU Instructor & Getting Hitched
    • Having a go: SDU
    • Starting a Chernobyl family
    • EOD - Don't touch anything
    • Semen Stains and the rules
  • 1987 to 1992 - Should I Stay or Go?
    • Blue Lights, Sirens & Grenades
    • Drugs, Broken Kids & A Plane Crash
    • 600 Happy Meals Please!
    • Hong Kong's Best Insurance
    • Riding the Iron Horse
  • Crime in Hong Kong
    • Falling Crime Rates - Why?
    • Triads
  • History of Hong Kong Policing
    • History 1841 to 1941
    • History 1945 to 1967
    • Anatomy of the 50 cent Riot - 1966
    • The Fall of a Commissioner.
    • History 1967 to 1980
    • Three Wise Men from the West
    • The Blue Berets.
    • The African Korps and other tribes.
    • Getting About - Transport.
    • A Pub in every station
    • Bullshit Bingo & Meetings
    • Godber - The one who nearly got away.
    • Uncle Ho
  • Top 20 Films
    • 2001 - A Space Odyssey.
    • The Godfather.
    • Blade Runner
    • Kes
    • Star Wars
    • Aliens
    • Ferris Bueller's Day Off
    • The Life of Brian
    • Dr Strangelove.
    • Infernal Affairs
    • Bridge on the River Kwai.
    • This Is Spinal Tap.
    • Chung King Express
    • An Officer and a Gentleman
    • PTU
    • Contact
    • Saving Private Ryan
    • Family Guy Star Wars
    • Zulu
    • Hard Day's Night
  • The Long Read
    • How The Walls Come Down
    • War in Ukraine - the narrative and other stuff.
    • The Hidden Leader
    • The Big Game
  • Walter's Blog.
  • Home
  • Introduction
  • About Walter
    • 1980 Joining Up - Grafton Street >
      • Arrival and First Impressions
      • First Week
      • Training
      • Passing Out
    • Yaumati Cowboy >
      • Getting on the Streets
      • Tempo of the City
      • Jumpers, pill poppers and the indoor BBQ
      • Into a Minefield.
    • Why Tango in Paris, when you can Foxtrot in Kowloon? >
      • Baptism By Fire
      • Kai Tak with Mrs Thatcher.
      • Home; The Boy Returns
  • 1984 - 1986
    • PTU Instructor & Getting Hitched
    • Having a go: SDU
    • Starting a Chernobyl family
    • EOD - Don't touch anything
    • Semen Stains and the rules
  • 1987 to 1992 - Should I Stay or Go?
    • Blue Lights, Sirens & Grenades
    • Drugs, Broken Kids & A Plane Crash
    • 600 Happy Meals Please!
    • Hong Kong's Best Insurance
    • Riding the Iron Horse
  • Crime in Hong Kong
    • Falling Crime Rates - Why?
    • Triads
  • History of Hong Kong Policing
    • History 1841 to 1941
    • History 1945 to 1967
    • Anatomy of the 50 cent Riot - 1966
    • The Fall of a Commissioner.
    • History 1967 to 1980
    • Three Wise Men from the West
    • The Blue Berets.
    • The African Korps and other tribes.
    • Getting About - Transport.
    • A Pub in every station
    • Bullshit Bingo & Meetings
    • Godber - The one who nearly got away.
    • Uncle Ho
  • Top 20 Films
    • 2001 - A Space Odyssey.
    • The Godfather.
    • Blade Runner
    • Kes
    • Star Wars
    • Aliens
    • Ferris Bueller's Day Off
    • The Life of Brian
    • Dr Strangelove.
    • Infernal Affairs
    • Bridge on the River Kwai.
    • This Is Spinal Tap.
    • Chung King Express
    • An Officer and a Gentleman
    • PTU
    • Contact
    • Saving Private Ryan
    • Family Guy Star Wars
    • Zulu
    • Hard Day's Night
  • The Long Read
    • How The Walls Come Down
    • War in Ukraine - the narrative and other stuff.
    • The Hidden Leader
    • The Big Game
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Home: The Boy Returns 

As the Humber Bridge rolls past the train window I know, I'm home. Hull is not the end of the earth, but you can see it from there. This spot is where the lonely country meets the sea, or at least the estuary. Beyond is David Hockney country, with the big skies of Holderness and then the North Sea. 

It's 1983, so Hull is still in its "crap city" phase. The fishing industry has collapsed, while rejuvenation is decades away. 

At home, a few things had changed. My sister and brothers look grown-up. I should have seen that coming. When I'd left home, my brothers were entering their teens, and now both were on the way to being young men. 

I made the rounds of relatives, took a trip to Scotland and had a few boozy days in London with friends. It's great to see everyone; the banter is flowing, and the laughs. Yet, there is a niggle. 

​I've got an itch that needs scratching. Alas, I don't know where to scratch. I'm running 10 miles a day and lifting weights to keep in shape - a distraction that keeps me occupied.


My gratuity is burning a hole in my pocket. Eventually, I placed the lot in a government bond and forgot about it for ten years. 

A bloke in London bores me with his assertions about the MacLennan case. He drones on and on about how MacLennan was killed because he was gay. Apparently, the Commissioner of Police ordered the killing to cover up some dark deeds.

He is confident that a secret police hit squad had climbed up the outside of the building. Then these ninjas used MacLennan's gun to kill him. They then exited by abseiling away. 

Finally, I get a word in edgeways. 

"Have you ever been to Hong Kong? Have to even been to the block of flats where the body was found?" 

"No, I don't travel much, except to Wales on holiday. But I read the papers."

I'm thinking, do I belt the bloke? But, common sense prevailed, so I left him to his conspiracy theory. 

I'm soon bored and ready to get back to Hong Kong. My UK based mates have moved on, with most in various stages of domestic life. The common ground that bonded us has evaporated. I soon learnt not to tell my Hong Kong stories. Initial interest waned as eyes glassed over; then the conversations soon went back to football or the chances for Hull Kingston Rovers. 

One encounter sums it up. I visited my local pub to find three mates at the bar. As I recall, they'd been in that same position when I left three years ago. An animated discussion is underway about a rugby league game.

"Long time no see. Where've you been? Gibraltar or somewhere was it?"

"Three years in Hong Kong", I volunteered.

"Mate, I knew it was overseas." And with that, it was back to discussing rugby league. 

I'd changed—more than I realised. Except for a few close friends in London, I couldn't relate to my former mates. With family, it was different; the bonds that tie are much more profound. 

Yet, I was soon ready to be going back to Hong Kong. I was longing for something to do.  


I'm back. The Bunker.

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