In
the rain Lens looked very miserable and uninviting but like most places the
exterior hid a friendly mining town, very much like Barnsley, with it’s mining
history decimated but unlike Barnsley the French government has opened a Louvre
of the north in the town.
Not
surprisingly the bars throughout the town were awash with England and Cymru
fans. Presumably when the Mayor had
decreed the town be dry for all the Euro games in Lens the bar owners had
responded with a resounding “Non”.
Interestingly in the local kebab house we met up with two England fans
from Barnsley. I told you this Euro tournament
is making the world a smaller place.
The
walk to the ground was down a wide avenue with plenty of gendarmerie
present. The weather along the avenue
began to improve the sun came out and the waterproofs went away. Once
through security Danny found two giant friends who he had a dance with. I was most impressed, maybe we’ll be visiting
a. club later.
After accessing the stade we made our visit the tv gantry and
then to our seats.
Who was there again
but my mate Matt, who kindly took more pictures of me and Danny in our seats
with the sea of red behind us. Sadly a game lasts for 93 minutes not just 90
and so we all know the story and heartbreak of Danny Sturridge in the 93rd
minute. It even started to rain again as
we left the ground.
Security was just as tight on the way back and entry to the station was easy as long has you understood French and how the railways work. Only had to give a wide berth to a gendarme who said “Please move clear of the dog”, although to be fair it was muzzled. At Hazebrouck we revisited the Aux Trois Roi to watch the Germany v Poland game. Uneventful except for the West Ham “fans” wanting to fight amongst themselves. Reason prevailed and they went their separate ways leaving us in peace. To finish the eveingn we got return journey back to the Auberge with Phil and Paul with Sean wedged into the back with Clive and I.
Security was just as tight on the way back and entry to the station was easy as long has you understood French and how the railways work. Only had to give a wide berth to a gendarme who said “Please move clear of the dog”, although to be fair it was muzzled. At Hazebrouck we revisited the Aux Trois Roi to watch the Germany v Poland game. Uneventful except for the West Ham “fans” wanting to fight amongst themselves. Reason prevailed and they went their separate ways leaving us in peace. To finish the eveingn we got return journey back to the Auberge with Phil and Paul with Sean wedged into the back with Clive and I.
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