HERE at the Barry & District News, we have our very own correspondent in Afghanistan – Cpl Aishlen Taylor, who is deployed on Op Herrick with the Royal Military Police.

Aishlen is a Barry girl, and she’ll be keeping Barry & District News readers up to date with all her news on a regular basis, giving us an insight into the life our troops lead while serving in Afghanistan.

Here is her third report.....

"NOVEMBER ended with us completing our 10km charity run - I finished it in 50 minutes, two minutes faster than my target time, which meant a lot of people in the office had to cough up money!

All of us from within the section were pleased with our times – more than 450 people took part with over $4,000 raised.

I've kindly now set up the girls in the section to complete a half marathon in March, which they are all thankful for - especially after I volunteered them for the 10k!

I’ve had another busy couple of weeks in the office (well, out the office), as I visited another Forward Operating Base (FOB), one Patrol Base (PB) and two Check Points (CP). Turning up with cigarettes and beef jerky for the lads definitely puts them in a good mood!

There were also two helicopter flights and three road moves in less than 48 hours conducting investigations, so it was fair to say I was tired after it.

This week I have also spent a few days up in Lashkar Gar - the food up there is lush! Whilst there I was lucky enough to go to a Combined Services Entertainment (CSE) show where we watched two comedians, giving us a nice little break from work.

It's so cold out here now, so much so that when I go out I am taking two sleeping bags with my body weight in warm kit!

The rain hasn't started, and we all have bets on as to when it will - but definitely no sign of snow!

Good news came also this week that my R’n’R has been brought forward and I will now be landing in the UK on New Year’s Eve, which family and friends are delighted with.

Fingers crossed that the snow has gone by then!

I have been receiving more welfare parcels and have been forwarding them on to the PBs and CPs for the boys and girls there.

My pod within the tent has now been decorated, with fairy lights all around it and the Christmas presents stacking up nicely at the bottom of it.

On Christmas Day, I am looking forward to a much-deserved day off with dinner being served to us by the officers.

On a personal note, I would like to congratulate my 15-year-old sister Courtenay on becoming British Kyokushin Karate Champion. I'd also like to wish my brother Connor a happy sixth birthday on December 16, and my best mate Cassie a happy 23rd on December 22.

Finally I’d like to wish everyone back home a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year!"

Cpl Aishlen Taylor