Christmas Day, 1965, HMS Eagle in Kilindini Harbour, the harbour for Mombasa, Kenya. Those not on watch, with a stomach full of turkey, plum duff, a tot and a couple of cans, were off to Silver Sands beach to sleep it off...
Somewhere around 14.00 the beach became too noisy to sleep... looking around I saw dozens of children all having a nice time, most of them glancing out to sea quite frequently, so of course I sat up and took a look that way too... now't t' be seen. (I see no ships... only 'ardships)
About fifteen, twenty minutes later the noise grew considerably and, looking out to sea there was a small black dot, which grew steadily bigger as we watched.
Father Christmas in a rowing boat !
He had his sack with him and managed to find something in it for every child on the beach...
Always brings a lump in my throat remembering that day.
Always remember the year too... World Cup season !