When 50kms is simply too far...
I once found myself training with the British Army on the prairie in Suffield, Canada - approximately 4 hours from Calgary.

After running around and shouting bang for a few weeks, we were all given a 'run ashore' (i.e. 'go out on the pi$$' in normal people speak) so off we rode to the nearest 'city' called Medicine Hat.

A good night was had by all - including yours truly - and various people filtered in and out of my line of sight, clutching females in what they probably believed was a romantic manner. As the night wore on, I recognised fewer and fewer people, until actually there were virtually no people around at all.

Through the alcoholic haze, I became dimly aware that I needed to be back out on the ground in reasonable shape the following day so headed off to the taxi rank. One small problem - they had stopped some 90 minutes previously. It was at this stage I realised my watch had stopped at around 0340hrs.

So I had to stagger back up the Trans-Canadian Highway all on my own, a 50km journey hindered by the fact that the inevitable hangover kicked in almost immediately, and the certain knowledge that I was going to be VERY late indeed.

7 hours later I made it back. Missed the transport out and got slapped with a £350 fine.

My misdemeanour was knocked into the shade by one of my mates returning three days later, having been handcuffed to a bed in an Indian trailer park by an insane squaw and abused.

He left the Army shortly afterwards, but luckily I got his spare kit. Woo!

[Apologies for length and girth etc - it is Newbie Tuesday after all...]
(ForwardAirUncontroller lurks at http://www.arrse.co.uk, Tue 12 Sep 2006, 13:09, Reply)