Island Life Magazine Ltd June/July 2006 | Page 66

FEATURE Hands up who’s been to the Isle of Wight? Every time my brother returns from an overseas naval deployment, he takes great satisfaction in saying “OK, hands up who’s been to the Falklands?” I look around the group of bemused family and friends whose arms remain firmly at their sides. “OK, who’s been to Diego Garcia?” says Steve. My ears prick up – I’ve been there. Knowing it is practically impossible to visit, I was assured I would be the only one to raise my hand. Having served in the Royal Navy myself, I am aware that Diego Garcia is a British Island within the British Indian Ocean Territory which is currently leased to the Americans. With British soil in the hands of ‘Uncle Sam,’ one nee