In July 1975 I packed my suitcase, took my accordion and took the bus to Chania port.

Boarded the Ferry for Piraeus.

At Piraeus I got a taxi for Nea Smyrni where a family known to my brother was to look after me for a few days/weeks.

The family had two young children so it was going to be a fun holiday time with them. Nikos was about 3 years younger and Penny about 6 years younger.

We took a road trip to their holiday home up on a mountain a few miles south of the seaside resort of Xylokastro.

1976

In 1976 I enrolled into Wood Green School to start my O Levels.

6 Nov 1976

My parents arrive in the UK with a flight of AEK Athens football supporters. After a few months of legal procedures they managed to get legal status to remain in the UK. And so did I.

20 Dec 76

Mary & Adamos got engaged

1977

30 January 1977

Mary and Adamos get married at St Mary’s Greek church in Wood Green.

17 August 1977

Two major personalities die. Archbishop Makarios and Elvis Presley.

1978

February 1978 ?
Nitsa and Andreas get married at St Mary’s Greek church in Wood Green

18 January 1978

The twins Costas & Helen are born to my sister Mary and brother in law Adamos.

Around that time my dad bought a car and he was very proud of it. Here it’s parked in the drive of Myroula’s house in Enfield Lock.

July 1978

Pappou Hristos Shamishis died in Cyprus

Roulla and Pambos get married at St Mary’s Greek church in Wood Green

25 November 1978

Takis and Kate get married at St Mary’s Greek church in Wood Green

1979

In the 6th form block of Wood Green School

1980

July 80

Nicos (Taki) was born.

June July 1980
The most stressful, tiring two weeks of my life, taking exams for four A Levels! Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology. I had an exam paper almost every day!

Shortly after my exams I bought a second hand car, I believe from a private seller near Enfield. It was a turquoise colour Datsun 120Y. Sadly a few weeks after I bought it, its engine needed replacing! It ended up not being the bargain I thought I bought.

After results came out for the A Levels. I managed to scrape through and passed all of them, but with low grades. Physics was a D, the three others were Es.

Took a summer job at Arnaoutis pitta factory in Tottenham with Andy Chacholiades and Robbie Adibe also working there.

Worked very long shifts and sometimes finished late at night. Driving back to Cuckoo Hall lane with a few bags of pitta bread after long shifts.