A few years ago we went to the island of Santorini. The runways had just been opened to non-military planes.
We found a taverna at the end of the beach which served food and provided accommodation. It was catered by the lady, her husband sometimes served the food.
I tried to remember my bits of Greek – the waiter mostly just nodded to me. After 3 days he suddenly asked me, in very good English, if I would like to go fishing with him the following day. He owned the island’s largest fishing boat – the trip would last 2 days. We would take a trip to an island called Christiana. During the war it had been a secret location for the Greek resistance.
We arrived in the late afternoon and spent many hours laying nets all around the island. Two of the crew came back with several rabbits, roots, herbs and made a wonderful stew. At dusk the sky started to fill with the milky way and shooting stars. Our captain disappeared below deck and emerged with a very battered, black and white TV set. After a bit of fiddling the men started to laugh, they had found a programme they liked. The Benny Hill show! Scantily clad young women being chased by Benny Hill, accompanied by very silly music.
The sky became the most beautiful I have ever seen.
The following day we spent a few hours hauling in the nets. They managed to fill 3 small crates. I thought they would be disappointed in the smallness of the quantity, but they all seemed very pleased?
© Jim Anderson, 2025
Jim Anderson 