Monday 20 June 2016 – Are you Santa?

Last night we had been in conversation with Bob (from Madrid) arranging to meet him when his flight arrived.  Once that was sorted and after another fine European style breakfast I again left Clive sleeping for Cymru and went for a walk around the area.  When I returned Clive returned the compliment whilst I slept. 

By 5.00pm Bob’s flight had arrived and we could prepare for the journey to the stade.  All ran smoothly and no problems with the Russians at all although security was noticeably more visible and strict than at any of the other games.  Inside the ground Danny and I came across the fan of the game who may well have been Santa with his helper.

Once again there was a sea of red to greet the players and Danny was there wearing his red for Cymru, the 3-0 victory made sure that there was singing to the very end and a happy Neil Taylor whose last goal before tonight's was in front of 285 spectators for Wrexham at Grays Athletic.  The three minutes from the end of the Cymru game until England completed their game were as long as any, but worth the wait which confirmed Cymru as champions of the group.

If everything had been smooth going to the stade it was anything but on the way back. Free shuttle buses took us there but after was a nightmare due to having to leave the ground by a different route.  We ended up walking in the wrong direction and having to get the Metro back into centre ville where all the restaurants and bars had to close at midnight.  Everyone was wanting a taxi and after 1hour and 15minutes in a queue we managed to get a taxi back to the hotel for 2.30am and so to bed at 3.30am.  It had been a long day.

Sunday 19 June 2016 – The Russian’s are here!

Once at the hotel little Danny was as excited has I ever seen him.  He shouted me over to the window because the Russian team were staying in the hotel next to ours.  We should have guessed with all the security around – armed police + smart suited heavies that they weren’t there to make sure that Danny didn’t burn his toast. 

This evening the first group came to a close with France v Switzerland.  For this game we went to a nearby bar that handily served Affligem and this became my official Father’s Day drink.by the end of the evening we were able to re-enact our Gareth’s free kick against Slovakia with the help of an apple!

Sunday 19 June 2016 – Another carousel

Another early start but thanks to Sue giving us a lift in Combourg we’re able to leave the car at La Boudonniere..  Even though it was an early start there was still time to read my Father’s Day cards and messages. First stop was Montparnasse (again).  As we came out of Montparnasse there was another carousel, he begged, I gave in (again). 

After another raspberry juice it was back into the station for our five and a half hour journey to Toulouse.  Like all our French trains so far everything was on time.  Once again helpful staff at the information office in the gare made sure that we able to reach our destination by the most efficient route.   

 

Saturday 18 June 2016 – zzzzzzz

A day of relaxation – sleeping, writing, listening to music and watching the Euro’s and ready for yet another early start in the morning.

Friday 17 June 2016 – Danny plays football

This was certainly a train with a difference.  Danny was feeling hungry so I took him to la restaurant voiture for a dragon snack.  In there was a football pitch and Danny begged for me to let him play.  He has been so excited after going to all these games.

After a tiring match Danny decided he had had enough and fell asleep in my bag.  He slept for the rest of the relaxing journey and we arrived back at Bazouge around 6.00pm.

Friday 17 June 2016 – A prayer for Fair Play

Back to base day so not too stressful.  Kind old Paul and Phil with yet another lift to the station as they set off on their trek back to Kenilworth via Calais.  Decided to have breakfast in Hazebrouck but prepared for it with a coffee with our matey down at the Aux Trois Roi, where the first coffee of the day is free.  Brekkie was in a nearby boulangerie and an interesting talk with the owner and his wife about brexit.  They wanted the UK to stay. 
1^st stop Lille where the station is a French version of St Pancras. 

From there into Lille Cathedral which had a prayer for fair play. 

 Lille is a very anglicised city in terms of its shops and it is surprising to find the cathedral dating from the 14^th century in its midst.  There was enough time to light a candle in memory of sadly missed relatives and for a few moments silence to remember happy memories of them. 

 A walk down the wide avenue to Gare de Lille Europe, via the Fanzone, the walk becoming a run as the heavens opened and the roof of the gare became porous.  For our return the train was direct to Rennes.  The route took us around the outskirts of Paris stopping and Charles de Gaulle airport and Disneyland Paris. 

Thursday 16 June 2016 – They think it’s all over, it isn’t yet …

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 93^rd 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.