An England(Geordie) fan's tale

 of adventures to the Rugby World Cup Semi Final 2007 

 England v France 

Steve 1888  

Early we woke and as I can't eat much (if anything) on continental breakfasts we decided to head straight out and get something out and about.  We luckily managed to move the car from the roundabout and parked up outside the hotel and I used my increased French language knowledge to realise it was free on weekends too - wahey!   Off we went to Gare du Nord and following the Bath Fans instructions to get our tickets from the Louvre (why on earth I dunno). As we got there after easy metro ride (dead good when you know how) Steph decided to press down on the text message she had which said we could collect from 10 am - it was 8-50 - bl00dy women.

It worked out ok actually as we had a nice walk through the park, round a few of the tourist attractions and we had a nice time (Steph especially as she stuffed a lush looking waffle down her throat), also bought my niece some more gifts from our trips.   Then we went to the Louvre and when we got in there was no signs where to collect tickets and none of the info people knew - typical!   We finally found it and then I had in my hands tickets for the world cup semi final - now I was massively up for it and even better we noticed a pick and mix shop - whoohooooo!   After spending a sodding fortune in there we used our extensive Metro knowledge to get back to the Gare De L'est and instead of changing we decided to walk round to Gare Du Nord  and on the way I popped into le pharmacy for some Immodium (just in case) and the French chap instructed me to take 1 every 20 mins during the game haha.

For once we then had a nice sitty down meal opposite the Gare du Nord (Steak avec sauce au poivre & chips while Steph munched Spag Bol) and a couple of ciders. Plenty of English fans were arriving now and also the Sign for England bus appeared with everybody's favourite Austin Healy on board - of course he got grief, changed into an England shirt and got more - all good banter though. The French waiter was really entertaining and helping lift the atmosphere too. Then it was pit stop time so we nipped back to hotel - usual stuff and match day outfit (England top, jeans & red boots) put on and I went straight back out while the bird got ready! Got back to Gare du Nord and the lovely Nikkala was there with The Sun bus and popped over and gave me a free paper so I read that in usual pub drinking cider having craic with those around. 

As we were walking to the Frog & Princess we bumped into two chaps called Richard & Scott who tagged along as they could only find bars with French folk in. The Frog was busy and we were there in time to watch the England footie match and drinking Magners.  I must say Scott deserves praise as he could carry four bottles of magners and four pint glasses with ice in from the bar at once !! I did it the easier way and got the pleasant looking waitress to fetch mine.  One bloke had bought a jug of beer only for his mates to say they were leaving so he gave it to us! We didn't want it so, I gave it to three lads in All Blacks shirts and said - YOU HAVE WON SOMETHING AWAY FROM HOME - they took it very well to be fair. England won 3-0  the bar now full of English had a great atmosphere. The Bath Fan and then Steve (Wakefield) arrived and then after a few more Magners it was time to head off to the game on the jam packed metro - was good craic though and I even shared my poor bens (gift off The Bath Fan) with the French people next to us.

At last we got there and went to the village next to the stadium and listened to the music and had some wine (helped Steph and Bath Fan with theirs too) and had a good laugh in the toilet queue laughing at Aussies and Kiwis winding each other up. Then it was time to go to the game as for once I wanted to be in the stadium well before kick off............

Walking across the road to the stadium I was getting very nervous and excited but the atmosphere was superb and after quickly nipping to buy some programmes for those who I failed to get Quarter Final versions for is was into the queue for the ground. I was so excited -this was great! The anthems were both as you'd expect well sung along to and so it was kick off - my god c'mon England!!!

And what a start - we couldn't ask for more, get in Josh (didn't care he'd ruined my bets for the match) and while celebrating on one leg after bashing left one jumping up thought we can, we can do it. Again we were playing with so much determination and in the game but JW didn't like the balls again. At Half time I was very confident and after quick wee and also saw the lads we've saw every trip again we were 40 mins away from the final. An exciting half of nerve racking, heart pumping and determined rugby from both ended with a massive cheer from the army of England fans in the stadium - we'd only f'n done it! As the French sulked we cheered and sang along to Sweet Chariot, Hard Days Night, Wonderwall and other songs being pumped through stadium's speakers. This was great and whatever I'd been through it was more than worth it - the celebrations were fantastic!

Finally we left the ground and I must say when walking towards the RER station the French fans were excellent. They went out of their way to congratulate us and wish us luck for the final oh and I bought a scarf as a souvenir. Again the French had the trains down to a tee and we were soon back as Gare du Nord

We got to the usual pub and to find  a sea of English fans there celebrating, some dressed up, some waving flags and some just bl00dy happy - oh and the entertaining French waiter now had an England top on with his jacket and tie and was whipping the atmosphere up too. This is what it was all in aid of - I was as happy as could be. After a few drinks a very tired Steph went back to hotel (we were leaving at 5ish) and the Bath fan followed soon after. I stayed out as usual and happily sang along to we are the champions when the pub put in on. I ended up talking to a bloke who's home club was Tynedale and then a bloke from Whitley Bay too - out of all the fans that were there it was typical. As it was getting a lot nearer 5 o'clock, I decided to call it a night and headed back to the hotel. I thought a quick lie down might do me good and surprise, surprise we slept in and woke 10mins before we were meant to be at freaking Calais!

Oh my, it was going to be hard work to get to Bristol on time for Bristol v Falcons kick off so of we headed in a rush and after nearly running out of petrol twice and Steph driving down roads on wrong side looking for petrol stations that took card payments we got to Calais at 10.55 and they let us on the 11.15 sailing. On the ferry there was some sleepy people but after Egg and Chips and a Breakfast for Steph she snoozed again and I had drink and read about our victory! We arrived at Dover and not helped further by idiots not returning to their car we finally left Dover we were on our way but Tom Tom said 3.10 arrival - d'oh! Luckily there was no traffic really and we arrived in time to have a couple of pre match pints and strike lucky with tickets with some comps than someone sorted us with. Unfortunately we bloody lost but...

ANOTHER CRACKING WEEKEND AND A TRIP TO THE FINAL WHOOOHOOOOO!!!

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