Were Epicurus alive today he would be delighted to learn that a desperate Greek government has had to reverse a new policy of selling off its beautiful coastline for development. Although they are expected to sneak the idea back into future legislation, for the moment the idea is dead, although public fury has not stopped them selling off Greek forests.

eKathimerini newspaper (Athens) comments, “When will the politicians grasp that it’s the unspoiled nature of Greece’s coast and countryside that keeps drawing visitors back? If people want concrete promenades and big hotel complexes they can go to Spain, Cyprus or Turkey (or parts of Florida. Ed.) Development would attract the worst kind of tourist: the rowdies who only care about swimming pools and nightlife. Rampant construction was one of the reasons Greece got into its present mess – far from creating wealth, it facilitated a dangerous bubble. We will never recover by repeating past mistakes.”

In the 19th Century the south coast of England was over-developed, leaving mile upon mile of dreary promenades and run-down hotels to mar some pretty countryside (I except Eastbourne, which has done a good rehab job). Once you have spoiled the environment it is near impossible to restore it. If life is for as much enjoyment and pleasantness as possible, then we should preserve our most beautiful places with jealousy.