%3Ca%20href="/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/08/bonjour_and_welcome_1.html">Bonjour and welcome (91)
- 30 Aug 07, 10:16 AM
The other day, as I passed a queue snaking out of the door of a KFC in Romford High Street and became embroiled in my third set-to of the afternoon, a voice appeared in my head.
鈥淒irsy,鈥 it said, sounding a lot like %3Ca%20href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Littlejohn">Richard Littlejohn, 鈥渋t鈥檚 time you gave this great country of yours and the rabid lunatics that infest it a swerve for a month or two.鈥
As luck would have it, %3Ca%20href="/blogs/rugbyworldcup/tom_fordyce/">Tommy Fordyce and I are off on Monday to the Rugby World Cup in France, a country that has given the world more than its fair share of culture and sophistication down the years.
Indeed, to paraphrase the mighty Bob Hoskins in %3Ca%20href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081070/">The Long Good Friday, a little bit more than a %3Ca%20href="https://www.calorie-count.com/calories/item/53711.html">Chicken Zinger Burger - know what I mean?
鈥淭WO BLOKES JOLLYING IT UP ROUND FRANCE IN A FIVE-BERTH WINNEBAGO FOR SEVEN WEEKS?鈥 I hear the angrier licence fee payers among you splutter.
Well, yes. And no.
I sincerely hope it鈥檚 going to be jolly, because the occasional missive containing a blow-by-blow account of our latest game of %3Ca%20href="https://www.funandgames.org/games_cards.htm">Chase the Ace is not going to get any juices flowing.
But, what with writing blog entries every day, knocking up video packages, sending back pictures and helping out our colleagues from %3Ca%20href="/fivelive/">Radio 5live, there will, rest assured, be plenty of graft involved.
Of course, there will be times when I鈥檓 grafting on a beach with a Gitanes hanging from the corner of my mouth while staring at bikini-clad Frenchwomen behind a set of extra-tinted sunglasses, but, as they say in France, c鈥檈st comme ca le cookie f鈥檈miette.
That said, this trip would be nothing without you.
We need to know the best bars to watch the games, the best places to get our heads down for the night, the best places to sample a bit of culture, and whether, for example, you need a lift from Nantes to Bordeaux on a given date.
We鈥檒l need plenty of banter on the blog and plenty more from those of you who will be in France supporting your team, whether we bump into you on a campsite in Cognac or a bar in Aix-en-Provence.
We will be attending plenty of games along the way, but our main brief is to bottle the flavour and colour of the tournament, the human angle if you will.
Another reason we need you involved as much as possible is because two blokes holed up in what is essentially a big car for seven weeks is a sure-fire recipe for a spot of knuckles.
I don鈥檛 drive, and, when it comes to languages, I make %3Ca%20href="%3Ca%20href="/comedy/onlyfools/uncovered/derek.shtml">Derek Trotter look like %3Ca%20href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Ustinov">Peter Ustinov. Oh, and I smoke like %3Ca%20href="/eastenders/characters_cast/characters/character_dot_c.shtml">Dot Cotton. Luckily for Tom, I don鈥檛 play the acoustic guitar, but I still suspect he hates me already.
There will be time apart, which will come when Tommy, a very accomplished %3Ca%20href="https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/triathlon/5188578.stm">tri-athlete, gets on his bike, which he鈥檚 strapping to the back of the van, and cycles up the side of some mountain or other.
And if he wants to steam up Mont Blanc while I鈥檓 wallowing in some serious Ben Time, getting intimate with a block of blue vein, some Jacobs crackers and a carafe of Burgundy, that鈥檚 his outlook. I suspect the time apart will smooth our progress no end.
Tommy, who will fill you in with some more details of our trip this weekend, will be picking me up from my flat in Rommo, Essex, at 12 o鈥檆lock on Monday and we should be on French soil by late afternoon. So, as our old friend Shaw Taylor used to say, %3Ca%20href="https://www.shawtaylor.com/pages/1/index.htm">keep 鈥榚m peeled.
Au revoir, adieu, en esperant vous voir en chemin! (My brother told me how to say that as well. He鈥檚 going to hate me as much as Tom by the time this World Cup鈥檚 over鈥)
Ben Dirs is a 大象传媒 Sport journalist travelling around France in a camper van with %3Ca%20href="/blogs/rugbyworldcup/tom_fordyce">Tom Fordyce. %3Ca%20href="https://search.bbc.co.uk/cgi-bin/search/results.pl?scope=all&edition=d&tab=av&recipe=all&q=world+cup+blog+video">Click here to search for all of Tom and Ben's blog videos.
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My money is on you not making it back alive mr dirs.
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Hello Ben,
always enjoyed your cricket commentary - tom's too, I hasten to add. I'm looking forward to a good RWC. England won't win, but there's no harm done by hoping. Still, if England do lose badly, there's no better place than France to drown one's sorrows in. Enjoy the trip. Cheers.
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I will be in France as well. Leaving old blighty behind (well Guernsey actually) on the 15th September and hitting France for five weeks. If all French films i've seen over the years are true then i should be in for hoot if not i half expect to be in jail!
see you around france guys!!
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If you get down to Bordeaux for the Ireland -v- Namibia game then look out for me, I'll be wearing a pink & green fairies shirt!
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Wow Ben, Im fed up of you already.
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Bienvenue en France! Can't wait for RWC 2007 was at the final in 2003. Just moved house within France and having my satelitte fitted tomorrow - just in time otherwise the next date he could do was 3rd week in September!. France has gone RWC mad - all the radios and TV stations are constantly promoting it. Best tip for you is Bordeaux red wine 2005 is great, spend about 7鈧 for a good one.
Come and see us in the south Charente there's loads of us resident Brits gearing up for the matches - best bar - Coleurs in Chalais.
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That's all very well, but you're there for the Rugby, so where are your predictions? I honestly have to say that I can see the France coming out top.
By the way, the most useful French expression you will need... "n'importe quoi". Just scatter it liberally into any debate on rugby (or anything) and nod, shrug or shake your head in absolute disbelief accordingly.. very useful, I used it over the ten years I worked at Eurotunnel, including the world cup (le foot) les bleus won.
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I'll keep a lookout for you in Montpellier . Murphys Bar in the City Center is the sports bar here . We all got big dish sats for the TV and internet for 5 live radio . AND Tickets for the Aussies and the USA match here. DO SEE the brand new stadium they built in 18 months flat ! Montpellier is serious about its sport ,even if the footy team is pants .
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Dirsy - I shall be there for the opening match, finding it difficult to know who to support...who are you going to be rooting for, and will you be wearing an England shirt?
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Well, Ben, as a big rugby (and cricket) fan LIVING in France, and with a whole year off work ( et oui !! ) I'll be driving around in my campervan too. Not a Winnebago ( sounds like the top ) but still enough to be at some good destinations. A bientot pour un verre avec l'ami Tom.
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Oooh can I come? Can I? Can I? Pleeeeeaaaasssseeee???
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I don't need a lift from Nantes to Bordeaux, but a lift all the way around France watching all the games wouldn't go amiss. I speak fluent French and I find all exercise utterly revolting. Can I come too? Oh, also I'd have to have a job with 大象传媒 sport since I'd get fired if I hopped off (excuse the pun) to France for five weeks.
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If you ever need to know how to say anything in french just send me a message, am fluent as i have lived in France for 6 years, and if you want to pick me up to take me to a game in Lyon, i live right near Geneva,Switzerland or you could come and watch one of my rugby clubs games. And good luck on your tour of la belle france.
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I've just got one comment, a query if you will.
A question thats been playing on my mind since taking a painfully boring job and seeing your commentry on the US Open (golf).
How do i get one or both of your jobs?
By the way, i'm an Irish and have so far managed to air on the side of realism over optimism in the wake of the world cup. I am one of the few to keep a level head, whilst my fellow countrymen lose the run of themselves.
Ireland to bow out following a heavy loss to the french, a narrow win against the puma's and a courageous but ultimately unsuccessful display against the All blacks.
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I'll be in Marseilles on the 8th and 9th on some workish jolly to the All Blacks game. Where does one go for a post rugby whisky and dry in France's second city?
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Bonjour! just to get the ball rolling, while your dashing about in your 5 bedroom chauffeur driven wini I will be cycling with eight other nutters from Bexley to Paris leaving Friday and arriving sunday afternoon. Great tv time-ing thou as most games at 9 pm in France, except the welsh game on sunday when I will be struggling through the outskirts of Paris. Allez le rouge!
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What an unfortunate name, especially being involved in the world of rugby!
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Sounds like you're going on a 7 week bender. I hope you make use of all 5 berths and have booked a medical check up for your return. Oh, and a little on the rugby wouldn't go amiss.....
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Good luck! I am an English person living in France with a French husband who is Mayor of our Commune, who field 7 Rugby teams!! We have a pact that when England play France whoever wins pays for the champagne, so we get to drink it whatever the result! I don't think your route will come near to Payzac, between Perigueux and Limoges - the nearest will be Bordeaux, but I shall be glued to the television for as much of the World Cup as possible. You'll have an interesting time and above all, have fun and enjoy!
Elizabeth
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Can I moan about your general "flippant" style and demand a return to good old fashioned sport reporting, like so many people on the live cricket text?
It's not that I actually think that -not at all. I just wanted to be the first to say it.
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It's times like these I'm glad I'm not an egg-chaser.
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Does that mean I'll have to make do with standard cricket speak such as long-hops and silly points whilst you're in France, rather than arthritic giraffes and paraletic jaffa cakes (or something?)
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Best place to watch the games? I'd say as far away from a television set and the stadiums themselves. At least that way you won't get sent to sleep by the "action" (kick, catch, kick, catch, knock on, scrum, kick, catch, kick, catch, pass, kick to touch, line out, pile on, knock on, scrum, drop goal attempt鈥 repeat for 80 minutes).
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Suggestions for where to eat ... in the centre of Nantes, there is a restaurant called L'Entrec么te ... just off one of the main streets in the city centre.
it's address is 2 Rue de Cou毛dic, 44000 Nantes, Tel: 00 33 24 04 86 28 3
%3Ca%20href="https://www.entrecote.fr/villes/nantes.htm" rel="nofollow">https://www.entrecote.fr/villes/nantes.htm
Does a superb steak meal with a green salad starter ... They bring the steak out on a platter and theres enough for two plates full served with french style chips and a "mysterious, secret" sauce made to a "family" recipe.
I was there this summer with a group of friends from the city and they showed me it and it was the best meal I had in France. Not too dear either.
Hope you find it useful!
Mike, 18, Northampton
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Have fun...
Many many moons ago I played the odd game of school rugby in the south of france, not a million miles from Marseilles, where props are slow and backs are fast. Always remember to water your Pastis, or you will be marked as a German.
I will add a plea for some coverage of Italy, being half italian and half english, I hope to maintain some interest as far as the quarter finals!
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A five- berth Winnebago for two, one driver and only Ben's brother who speaks French (and who probably knows a word that rhymes with 'orange')? You need some help. I happen to have a driver's license, I speak fluent French, I'm not interested in blokes in that sort of way, and I know that a Rugby ball is not round or red. So may I offer my services to accompany you on your 'p茅riples'? And if the very generous 大象传媒 would like to add a little sweetener for my time.....
Jeremy
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Ben
Your will-o-blog was legendary, so I'll be expecting no less than super legendary ruggerblog from you.
Looking forward to a few more guffaws that I'm sure are due to eminate from your ruggerblog. If not, I think you could easily be a writer for Enimem as his witty scribes have been somewhat a dissappointment recently and they need some perking up with modern witticims. BTW When did you find the time to help design the command line of MS-DOS?
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I can't help but wonder whether your match reports and blog entries about games in which England aren't actually involved will actually be free of mentions of England?
I rather doubt it...I'm bracing myself for ITV to be at their usual worst.
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Surely I'm not the first to notice the resemblance between the cartoon of Ben Dirs and the Prime Minister adoring Sebastian from Little Britain?
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If you are going to be grafting on a beach I think you better bring your wetsuits.
This summer has been disappointing down in Toulouse. Luckily I have tickets for all the matches in Toulouse and I optimistically reserved tickets for the winners of pool A ( should be either England or South Africa). I just cannot bear the thought of watching the the boks play...please England just win for me.
Also beware the french sip their drinks....don't guzzle like I first did and get sloshed like I did....especially the night before the world cup final. One thing I will say is that a world cup final with your team in it is a sure fire way of getting rid a hangover...adrenalin kicked in!!!!
Come on England and please do better than France or South Africa otherwise my life will be hell.
...boys down here the French call the time in the bar after the match "le troisieme mistemps" - the third half...Tom and Ben "Bonne Courage" - Good luck.
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Sounds like fun chaps, but you'll have to go some to beat my time in Oz four years ago...
Having flown out with no tickets I managed to get quarter, semi and final tickets at face value.
Then, after beating those beastly aussies and exorcising years of humiliation by shouting very loudly I met Martin Johnson's dad. OK, that's not very rock and roll, but by strolling along and chatting with him I ended up getting on the coach with all the players families. After blagging myself in to the post match party, overlooking the opera house and harbour bridge, and enjoying the complimentary drinks like i was Laurence Dallaglio, I then got a kiss from an attractive Aussie gal who drove me back to my hostel for six in the morning in her convertible sports car. Best night of my life. Good luck! You may need it...
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Sorry, but copying from
'Good Morning, Vietnam!'
does not work in French.
The correct title of this
site should be:
"BONJOUR, LA FRANCE!"
Please rectify; otherwise
you are going to irritate/
estrange a lot of Franco-
phones/philes.
Slan (I'm Irish, by the way),
Michael Cannon
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Brilliant Dirs! Can't stand egg-chasing but am looking forward to some tales from the winnebago. Would be interested if you could find a club in France to match the unique Hollywoods in Romford (RIP)- I bet they don't pull their best clubs down in France and build cardboard flats on them!
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hey ben and tom,
if your in lens for the SA v Tonga match on the 22nd Sept then love to buy you both a beer.
Kept me sane and giggling through many a tough day at work so cheers.
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This is a wind up right? Just to make those of us stay at homes jealous. Well you've succeeded. Seriously though, it promises to be a great World Cup, the Southern Hemisphere is on great form, the Northern side of things is completely unpredictable, plus the Argies and Canadians could well pull an upset this year. Lets have some good commentary folks and just remember that it's for all of us, Wales, Scotland and Ireland as well as England and you can't go far wrong.
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Have a good time mate. I'm on a sporting extravaganza; England - Russia on the Wednesday, then England against the Boks on the Friday.
Going straight to the airport from Wembley on Wednesday night for a 6 o'clock flight the next day so looks like being 3 days on the beers.
Will look you up in Paris.
Jerusalem!
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Ben, as much as I am looking forward to your RWC blog I sincerely hope that the cricket equivalent will not revert to the inane football version. "Defensive throw in", " free kick own half" etc. Have a great time
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Check out the Webb Ellis rugby bar in Nantes for a good atmosphere and good beer.
From a Welshman living in Nantes
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Ben (and Tom) is there any chance i can grab a lift from Charles de Gaulle to Marseilles for England's (i'm optimistic!) QF weekend in October? I've come over to the USA to study for a year, but am flying New York to Paris for the weekend especially for the QFs in Marseilles. I already had tickets before i knew i was coming out here and it's costing me a lot of my student loan this year to make the trip, so i could do with all the help i can get!
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If your in town for the scotland v italy game in st eteinne give me a shout...
I'll be the guy in the kilt whose very drunk!!
c'mon on scotland!!
viva la escosse
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You write EXACTLY like Russell Brand in The Guardian. Are you, by any chance, related or are you just ripping him off?
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I'm getting married on the opening day of the tourney so will look forward to having a vicarious lads' trip through your blog!
Wonder if you'll take a wrong turn and end up singing in Germany?
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Ben,
After a few bottles France's finest on no account should you utter the immortal words "if it wasn't for us they'd all be speaking German!!"
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What drivel is this? If this is the abysmal standard of journalism now being commissioned by the 大象传媒, then I want a refund of my licence fee... NOW. To see how to write a journalistic blog then look no further than Mark Mardell's work. Working for the 大象传媒 used to be a privilege for the best of the best, nowadays it seems that anyone from the Dog and Duck can scam money from the Beeb. Pay these guys off, and get hold of Will C., Rory U et al and pay them for World Cup insight - guaranteed to be read by all Rugby afficionados.
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Make sure you bring plenty of Jacobs crackers with you then as you can't buy those out here...have fun and, er, don't forget the rugby...
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A quick apology from my colleague Mr Dirs, who was frantically typing away at his England v India cricket clockwatch when this blog went live on Thursday evening.
I am assured that he will get back to you asap on the issues you raise, from lifts to alcohol offers via translation services, flippant writing style and Little Britain look-a-likes. Keep it all coming...
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I too have a whole host of friends who indulge in a far healthier lifestyle than me. Trick is to 'accidentally' take the handbrake off the van while its parked on a slope, thus crushing the bike and removing that option of so called 'healthy activity'. Then make up a story about how all french farmers use arsenic as an insecticide on their crops, so you won't once have to endure the words 'five a day'. Then tell Mr Fordyce that all his loved ones have perished in a bizarre gardening accident. Devastated, he'll turn to the tannins and tabs in a flash in a misguided hope of finding some comfort. He'll also thank you when he gets home and finds out that his nearest and dearest are alive and well and wondering why they haven't had a postcard.
Oh, and go to Paris: big place near the middle of the country, somewhere between the Alps and the Pyrenees. A city where it is apparently sophisticated to binge drink and smoke, as long as you're sat at the side of the road looking at people.
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number 31 is right
I'm also irish but I live in paris and "bonjour france" is not right.
it's like if the french wrote "Hello THE England" on an internet news article.
well spotted michaecome on les bleus!
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I must hold my hand up and take the flak for "Bonjour France". But it was actually meant to be pigeon French to reflect the fact that Ben is - by his own admission - not the most advanced French speaker. Sorry if it offends, but I felt it only prudent to forewarn you all of the grammatical howlers that will inevitably follow.
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OK Dirs, Come clean!
Just as your cricket commentary originaltes from a darkened room where you're watching the match on SKY, your RWC blog is going to come from your 1968 VW Camper parked on the beach at Mabelthorpe, watching the games on ITV, on a black and white portable telly with a wire coathanger for an arial.
Am I right or am I right?
(For of you watching in black and white, England are playing in white)
Geoff,
Grange-over-Sands
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Morning to Messrs Dirs & Fordyce.
Looking forward to the RWC and the rugby-blog. Very envious - wish I could get chaufeurred around France on a jolly-up. Oh, and doing some commentating too.
Enjoy the trip, and for what it's worth, I fancy the All-Blacks to win it.
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I can't believe Fordyce is turning his nose up at away day at Deepdale in the middle of September in favour of gallivanting round the sun-lit French countryside for a five week jaunt of drinking cheap booze, eating great food and watching top class international sport. A true Wednesdayite would've turned it down flat.
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Everyone's missing the most important point here: a spot of knuckles between Ben Dirs and Tom Fordyce - who'd win?
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"Everyone's missing the most important point here: a spot of knuckles between Ben Dirs and Tom Fordyce - who'd win ?"
The big dopey one always wins Michael
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There will be no knuckles. Dirs will be lashed and asleep and Fordyce will be tired (from exercising so much)and asleep.
Day's of bloggin like below:
Dirs : Got drunk, fell asleep with a fag on , nearly burnt van out.
Fordyce : Cycled 100 klicks, put van out and went to sleep.
Brilliant, can't wait.......
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Hello! Apologies for the delay getting back to you. There are, as you can imagine, a million and one threads to pick up before I leave for France on Monday. Many thanks for your messages of support, and well done Brendan for your vicious attack - it's comforting to know that even when I am away from these shores, I will still be able to get my fix of vitriol from the great British public via this blog. Rest assured, Brendan, expert analysis will be provided by a raft of 'proper' rugby journalists and former pros.
Paul Clark - Alas, we will not be in Bordeaux for France v Namibia, we will be in Nantes for Wales' opener against Canada, which should be a stroll for Gareth Jenkins' boys.
dickiedan - I'm pleased to hear that World Cup fever is spreading ahead of the tournament, especially as the French are traditionally slow to take to events held on their own soil. 2005 Bordeaux at 7 euro a bottle - that's been logged.
Martin Worsley - A prediction? Got to be the All Blacks. The one team that could do them on a given day? South Africa.
barry twyman - We'll be in Montpellier for Samoa v Tonga on the 16th. Line us up a couple of jars of the Black Stuff.
bricklaned - Not sure about Tom, but I haven't done 'colours' since my blue Hummel Tottenham away strip circa 1984.
By the way, thank you to all those that have pointed out that my cartoon makes me look like Sebastian off of Little Britain and the others that have noted I look "a lot fatter than I thought you'd be". Still, it's an improvement on my real face, which down the years has been likened to Mike Tyson (only when I laugh), Alan Sugar, Danny 'off of' Hearsay, Shrek, ex-Arsenal striker Kanu (by someone's dad) and the kid who is forever tied up in hand to gland combat in the film The Catholic Boys. Anyway, must dash, got a tooth that needs capping.
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This is the ideal opportunity to extend the great Gloucester debate, Pastie Vs Pies
The French entrant has to be Le Andoulette
An excellent form of snacking which can put to many uses not least pointing, gesticulating, threatening - have you ever tried to disarm a Frenchman advancing on you with tripe sausage in one hand and a glass of paint stripper vin in the other?
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The best place to watch the matches in Marseille (if you can't be at the Stade Velodrome itself obviously) is to go to O'Malley's bar on the Vieux Port, that always has a good atmosphere. If you're after a meal after the game try one of the fish restaurants in that area and have the bouillabaisse. Enjoy!
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OK Dirsy, get your tooth fixed, but surely my adventures four years ago warrant a comment? Or maybe you know you can't compete? (SEE no. 30, above...)
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Post 37. Rob Bowen.
Cheers mate. I'm in Nantes for the Wales Fiji and was wondering about the best watering holes.
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Still looking forward to Wales v Australia in Cardiff and the remote possiblity that England and Wales will win and lose their decisive games, meaning a Wales v England Quarter-Final.
It will be interesting to see a full Welsh XV taking on the Lillywhites encore un fois.
Alistair
Rhandirmwyn
Cymru am byth
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andy budd, that may take some beating, but, as an old friend of mine once said, "Champagne in a Winnebago, crumpet dripping off you..."
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Dirsy- is France ready is all I ask myself? And are you referring to 'crumpet' of the type you toast? I presume so...
Enjoy yourselves - am very jealous of your tour
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thats a very large magnet you'll be driving 'round then!
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I think other Brendan (no 43) is missing the point... we'll have plenty of chances to hear the insight (?) of the likes of Will C. and Rory U. However, this blog affords us all the chance to actually hear a bit about what is going on around the games. There are going to be thousands of people travelling around France, following the rugby, which is half the fun of a large tournament like this and is bound to be give rise to many amusing stories. If you're not interested, don't read the blog..simple..
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Dirsy,
One would scarcely credit this, but I am a big fan of yours.I live in Paris, two steps from Champs-Elysees, and just above the Hustlers Club. It would be my pleasure to invite you and Tom over to my bachelor pad for a few restorative ones.Just drop me a line.
Cheers
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Bet of luck Ben & Tom, we're not going to have to put up with Sam Lyon for the rest of the ODI series are we?! :p
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Sadly,I will not make French soil for the world cup,but I will be travelling as far as Corby to link up with my very old team mate CDH.for the Ireland vrs France game.It is are intention to visit Liecester rugby club for one of the English matches and generally wind up the locals as their team plods to oblivion.Incidentally I heard a little bit of gossip which you may not have regarding the English squad.Apparently while they were taking a little R&R on the beach a large seagull flew over and deposited its droppings on the reclining figure of Lawrence Dallaglio.He jumped up protesting and demanded a tissue from Joe Worsley when a passing local advised him that the bird was probabally to far away by now!!
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The Selkirk jolly boys are ready and raring to go. Off to St Etienne on Friday for the Scotland v Portugal match. Allez les bleus, allez les jolly boys, vive Amy Winehouse, vive le bon vin. What what!!
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If you are going to be in Marseilles for the quarter finals, I have got my travel sorted out, but not my accommodation - got any space in your Winnebago for a tall blonde Rugby girl?
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Human angle eh! Any chance of raising the subject of rugby?
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While you are wending your way through France, try and take in a village game... particularly in the South West. All ways a great occaision and a chance for you to discover grass-roots rugby over here.
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If you're down the south near Montpelier go to Cap D'agde and catch a game of rugby in the resort there. It'll be sure to raise some eyebrows as it's the largest naturist resort in Europe. Definitely and intersting angle to be had, just don't forget the sun-screen!!!
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Wonderful news!!!!! Dirs is to transfer his talents to Rugby. So its 20% rugger and 80% so sad lifestyle comments! Still, at least the chemical bog is not too far away...best rig up a wireless connection for a more informed b...log.
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Oh, and I smoke like Dot Cotton.
Ben if you are at work , as you claim, then you can not smoke in your enclosed workspace.
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Going to ENG vs TONGA in Paris. Camping at the Bois de Boulogne, so I hope the weather behaves itself!!!
Just SO looking forward to it all starting now. Shame that England are so bloody awful at the moment, but I think the RWC should be a good'un.
Any good bars in Paris that anyone could recommend?
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Camping in Lyon for the first week of the tournament, before returning mid October for the final game.
If you're around Lyon from 7th - 16th September, feel free to drop by for a BBQ and some beers!
In the meantime, can't wait to hear about your travels and exploits in France. Oh, and some news about the RWC will be the icing on the cake!
Also a note to the Selkirk boys (note 68) we'll also be in St Ettiene for the Scotland v Portugal game. Have you had any recommendations on watering holes in the area?!
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Dirsy,
Going to keep all the Ex-pats in Dubai up to date on your travels,(Well me and my two drinking buddies at the Lakes club).Ive just arrived here.
Rubber gloves for the bog and anthing else forign you might want to handle.
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Wouldn't like to be in the second row in the match at Cap D'Agde!!(see 72 above).
The Selkirk Jolly Boys haven't got any top tips for watering holes in St Etienne just yet, but our Buchanan tartan touring t-shirts should give away our position. They're bl**dy awful.
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You lucky B路路路ers!!!
I am travelling in South America for 6 months, so not only do I have to watch the matches very early (or is it late??) in the day, but finding a tv with rugby on is nigh on impossible!!!! I wish Brazil played a mans sport insted of football!!!!
Enjoy and keep relaying the atmosphere for us poor travellers!!!!
Mark in SA...
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A group of old lags from Moortown RUFC, Leeds is having a week in France to sample a bit of the 2007 World Cup. We have tickets for Australia v Fiji in Montpellier, Romania v Portugal in Toulouse and England v Tonga in Paris. Could do with some advice as to which bar in Toulouse would be a good place to watch the England v Samoa game.
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John Collier (Post 80.)
Try Trevor Brennas bar in Toulouse , it's called De Dannan, you'll get a half decent Guinness there too.
Just don't wear a 'Santa' hat OK?
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John Collier (Post 80.)
Try Trevor Brennans bar in Toulouse , it's called De Dannan, you'll get a half decent Guinness there too.
Just don't wear a 'Santa' hat OK?
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Hello Ben,
I enjoy your cricket commentary and look forward to this blog on the RWC. I was living in the UK circa 2003 and remember the hoopla when England won. But if your French is poor and Tom away cycling, you might go hungry as the staff will pretend to not understand you. You could make placards in French for the essentials of life and use that.
Have fun
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Louisa - Myself and Tom will be in Marseille for the quarters, I'm plumping up the pillows in the spare room already. Keep in touch and we'll tell you where we're going to be.
John Collier - we plan to be in Montpellier for Australia-Fiji on 23 September. We will no doubt bump into you there.
Anyone in Nantes this weekend? Where's everyone watching the games?
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Ben you are forgetting that you also look a lot like a darts player!
Have fun boys
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Dirsy - that cartoon is way too flattering. I would say you look like Dot Cotton and smoke like Liberace. You and Tom have fun now. France may not be ready for you, but Blighty is definitely ready to let you go.
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Just back from Lille, great weekend (apart from the match), the locals were friendly but I cannot believe the level of the police presence, we were met at Lille station after the game by probably 100 riot police armed with shields and helmets. The french authorities obviously do not have a feel for the tournament
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Fantastic!!! Only 5 days in and already ITV have promoted the live RWC coverage to the murky backwaters of ITV4. Sandwiched between "Police Patrol" and "Police Camera Action" am I right in thinking that this makes live viewing instantly inaccessible to anyone sans at least a Freeview box? Nice work ITV!!!
I can only presume that it is from a utilitarian standpoint that ITV consider "Who wants to be a millionaire " and "The Bill" higher on it's list of viewing "delights" than Georgia vs Argentina.
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Well we happen to be here in New Zealand at this time. The Kiwis are just gutted, they had such high expectations. You could see the tears all around, it was almost amusing!! If Wales cannot win it then I guess England are my next favourites - so this time tomorrow we shall know - fingers crossed. We had it booked already but can you imagine [Welsh supporter speaking]how it will be to visit Fiji on the way home!!!! Good luck Ashton etc. We shall be there with you across the world.
Peter
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Have I gone completly bonkers or does cueto foot actually touch the knee of the South African player whos knee at the point of grounding the rugby ball is on the white line,
surley the white line is only 3-4" WIDE, so i ask how is cueto fooot touching/ brushing the line when the a great big knee cap right next to his foot.. arrrrrggggggghhh frustration .....
look at the photo bbc
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