Athens is burning. The ancient ruins of Marathon are under threat, but the Greek Government has done nothing to improve fire protection since the blazes of August 2007 that killed 70 people and devastated vast forests.

Athens continued to be an emergency zone today, as the Greek Government put into effect Operation Xenocrates, its disaster relief plan.

The cradle of European civilisation should know how to deal with something as ancient as fire. After all they “invented” it.*
They gave us democracy, an alphabet, drama, mathematics and philosophy – you’d think they’re able to handle a fire extinguisher.

*Prometheus, a Titan, stole the sacred fire from Zeus and the Gods and gave it to us mortals.
Zeus then punished him by having him bound to a rock while a great eagle ate his liver every day only to have it grow back to be eaten again the next day. (Endless punishment)
They should have learned their lesson by now…

Lamb Souvlaki with Tzatziki

2 lemons

leg or shoulder of lamb, cubed

2 cloves of garlic, crushed

salt and pepper

1 green pepper

1 onion

for the tzatziki

• Yoghurt
• Half a cucumber
• Salt and Pepper

Marinate the lamb with garlic, lemon zest, olive oil . Mix well and season. Cover with cling film and leave if possible overnight in the fridge.
Light a fire.
Thread the pieces of lamb on to skewers, alternate chunks of lemon, onions and green pepper. Brush with some of the lemon and oil marinade and throw into the flames.
Grate the cucumber, add a few tablespoons of yoghurt and season with salt and freshly ground pepper. I  leave the raw garlic out as it burns like fire.

British forces in Afghanistan lost their 200th soldier.

When the British first became involved in Afghanistan in 2001, the plan was simple: 1. Topple the Taliban. (The nasty Mullahs in beards that governed Afghanistan from 1996) 2. Hunt down Osama bin Laden.

So they managed to “topple” the Taliban, but that was way back in 2001.
As for the hunt, you’d think all these years of foxhunting would pay off. Let’s face it, the last place on earth where big O is hiding is Helmand.

But Gordon still describes this mission as “vital”. His sense of humour has always been on the dark side as “vital” is more commonly associated with essential for life; full of energy; lively. A yoghurt drink is vital and to many a daily dose of Berocca. But a mission trying to stabilise a country that has never been stable and that is more of a tribal region than a country?

Apparently the best way to honour the memory of those who have died in Afghanistan is to “see the commitment through. But isn’t their death reason to reflect on this vital mission? Bring them back. Home.
Soldiers are a British institution, missions in Afghanistan are not.

Eggy soldiers, a British institution

• 1 Egg
• good bread, toasted, preferably home baked
• Butter
• Salt
• Eggcup or shot glass

In a saucepan, bring water to a boil, when water is boiling, drop in the egg.
Boil for  exactly 4.5 minutes. Any less and its watery, too much gets you manky yolks. “Scare” the egg under cold water.
Toast the bread, butter, and slice into oblong strips (soldiers)
Place egg in eggcup and remove top half of shell. Sprinkle with salt.

Marching soldiers into a pool of delicious yellow yolk. It’s amazing how much fun one can have at home.