An evening meal in Athens

We arrived in Athens early this afternoon. It is very warm here. Our hotel is the Ambassador, close to Piraeus (the main port of Athens) and several kilometers from the city centre.

Greece is a mixture of indignation and resignation. The parliamentary election is in two days' time, today is the last day of electioneering. We have been strongly advised NOT to go into the city centre today, there could be rioting.

Flying out with us on the same plane were the BBC's Fiona Bruce and Channel Four's Faysal Islam. They travelled separately, but neither was in first class. As it is impossible for any TV or radio reporter to report accurately on a news item without actually being there, they would put in an appearance in front of whatever Greek building or other symbol was deemed most appropriate.


In the afternoon we scouted the nearby streets until we located a couple of restaurants without any English or other western European menu. It would be more exciting to hazard our luck this way.

In the evening we picked one of them; it was very busy dispatching take-away meals. Lovely people, a little surprised but very pleased that we were eating with them. And just look what arrived for our first course!