The journey to Paris begins... (52)
- 9 Oct 07, 01:21 PM
Aix-en-Provence 鈥 Tommy and I set sail from Marseille on Monday afternoon like a couple of battered sailors fleeing a storm and have now weighed anchor in the calmer waters of .
Thousands of others will have done the same and will now be cowering under duvets all over the globe, still struggling to come to terms with the weekend they鈥檝e just experienced.
There will never be another two days like it. Apart from next and , that is.
My only hope is that semi-final weekend is not capped off with a rather unpleasant sea-front pepper attack. That, quite literally, would be a bit of a choker, especially as .
Many thanks for all your kind words since learning of my plight. My close friends have been rather less sympathetic, with one contacting me and simply stating the following: "Alright Dirs? About time you had some bad luck." Bearing in mind , he's probably right.
One side of my face is a little bit over-seasoned, but, unless someone tries to lick me to death, I don鈥檛 envisage that being a problem.
Our next, rather more prosaic, quandary is where to park Le Bloggernaut when we arrive in Paris, hopefully on Thursday.
Tommy has just had a look in the campsite guide and it鈥檚 not looking great. I see our future: it involves a suburban car park and not many showers. .
That said, if anyone knows of a good, safe place to park up, please let us know. A 14th Century chateau would be nice, but at this stage in the trip, I鈥檓 not really that fussy.
News reaches me from that every man-jack is attempting to truffle out tickets and make their way over for what promises to be an epic encounter between England and France.
Five weeks ago, it was a match-up I never thought possible. Three days ago, it was a match-up I never thought possible. Repeat after me: 鈥淎n England-France semi-final in Paris鈥. Still doesn鈥檛 sound quite right, does it?
Before I left for Calais many moons ago, I went out for a drink with a friend. 鈥淏en,鈥 he said to me, 鈥済reat trip and all that, but the tournament鈥檚 just not going to take off.
鈥淭he French don鈥檛 really get behind things like this and England are going to struggle to make it out of their group. It鈥檚 going to be a bit of a non-event.鈥
I haven鈥檛 spoken to him for some time, but I鈥檓 guessing he鈥檚 had a rethink.
Between now and Saturday, we鈥檇 like to hear your stories: how are you getting on sorting out flights? Have you managed to sort out tickets? Do you plan to doss on the streets or go without sleep altogether?
Are you hopeful of an England victory? With a full squad to choose from, should Brian Ashton make changes to ?
Get tap, tap, tapping away because England expects and England needs you - and without you this blog would be nothing.
Ben Dirs is a 大象传媒 Sport journalist travelling around France in a camper van with Tom Fordyce.
Comments Post your comment
Before this worldcup kicked off I made three predictions one wales would be knocked out by fiji, two new zealand will choke and three england will win the worldcup back to back for the first time! the first two are right heres hoping for the third!!
I think that ashton should have faith with the starting XV from last weekend but maybe with Barkley starting as his quick feet will confuse and dumbfound the french! and hopefully jonny will be on form and we can march on for a revenge match against SA although I would like the argies to get there too
Complain about this comment
The IRB have just said that people buying tickets now might not get in. What do people think? Is it worth the risk?
see:-
Jez
Complain about this comment
The Mayor of our commune told us that if England and france get to the semis he would buy a bus load of tickets and take us all to the game. I just found out that he didn';t think either would get there and gace away his requisition..... merde......
Complain about this comment
Should Ashton makes changes? Maybe not, but I would definitely put Tom Rees on the bench instead of Lol.
I have a nerdy question which I've been meaning to post since Saturday. Apologies if someone has already raised it on another blog.
In the England-Oz game, inside the first 3 minutes, Berrick Barnes misjudged a long kick downfield which ended up a couple of centimetres from the dead-ball line. Johnny touched it down for a 22-metre drop-out. BUT if Johnny had himself been standing beyond the dead-ball line (which he could easily have done) when he touched it down would it then have been a scrum to England way back upfield?
If so, somebody needs to have a word with JW.
Complain about this comment
I was in Aix back in August, beautiful place.
As for where to head for next, how about the rugby city of Cleremont Ferrand, you could try to re-create that Top Gear moment of the guys driving over the Millau Bridge (designed by a British Architect!!) In fact - there's an idea, search out as many 'french' landmarks that are in fact really English...must be more of them...anyone have any other suggestions?, would wind the frogs up!!
Complain about this comment
Hi guys,
I've kept quiet, but some months ago I managed to acquire a ticket for SF1, needless to say I looked at the groups and likely semi-final match... just to see what I was going to be watching... semi-final of the RWC... what an opportunity... So having worked it all out it was going to be New Zealand against (probably) the winners of Australia/England (unless something bizarre happend en route)... I thought it may be possible that we could beat the Aussies - don't forget this was back in July!
Anyway... booked the train tickets, found a hotel just around the corner from the Gare du Nord at very reasonable rates, and just waited to see the All Blacks against, dare I dream, England...
Then it happened... Argentina beat France in the first match of the tournament... so the French were now struggling to get through the group...
France coming second in the group, were probably the team to beat NZ as NZ were going to be undercooked with no opposition in the group... and blow me! what a weekend... we turned over the Aussies (again!) and Les Bleus did the deed...
What more could I have hoped for England / France semi-final in Paris...
Bring it on baby...
(So where will we be able to find you guys for a pre and post match shandy?)
Complain about this comment
Dirsy, did Tom give you a hug and kiss like I asked him to?
Complain about this comment
Hey guys, we've got addicted to your blog and shared your experiences of le vieux port last weekend. We are just recovering. Anyway, we live just outside Nantes and offer you a fab comfy bed, hot shower, and maybe a shepherds pie washed down with a vat of Bordeaux en route for Paris. We are leaving here Sat morning and have managed to get get a room in the Sofitel Port de Sevres (and just found out the French team are staying there, merde)! Sure you have hundreds of offers already, but one more never hurts, especially to exchange world cup stories. We are not old fogies. Hear from you or not, as the case may be. best regards from Jules and Graeme Singleton.
Complain about this comment
If there was a sniff of a ticket I would be ther like a shot, along with the rest of the country. Is it just the IRB trying (and failing) to stop the touts. Sadly its the only way a lot of people will get to see the game. If I was a AB or Wallaby fan id get shot of mine to try and recoup some money!!!!
Come on ENGLANGD!!!!
Nick.
Complain about this comment
With regards to what team to pick, I can't see any further than carrying on with exactly the same team that beasted the Aussies a few days ago. There has been talk of whether to bring back Andy Farrell into the team now that he is fit again but I think that would do a great disservice to Mike Catt who I thought was magnificent in the QF.
I'd love to be in Paris for the game but lack of funds is hindering me..hopefully our fans can make enough noise over there for the whole country, I can't wait!!
Complain about this comment
WELL NO, I hoped given form to get to the last 8.
I thought France would get this far but not the way they had to. No my predictive skills are not in the same league as nostradamus, more like RYAN JONES.
Not going to the semis but i have tickets for the final. !!
Best of both worlds either ENGLAND in the final or FRANCE in Paris atmosphere magic.
I think it is a lot to ask the rugby gods for an england win as France are at home so i console myself with at least going early and watching 3/4 play off.
two chances to cheer on the boys .
On another note maybe you should have drank more as the devil looks after his own.
Does this make you a seasoned pro.??
Team selection still concerned with centres defensively .JONNY and Catt looked battered.
Probably tinker a bit as it seems horses for courses.
Any way keep up the good work..
WOULD have gone to semi but Scots and FIJI blew my bet on all of the underdogs.
WAYNE BARNES UNFAIRLY pilloried but we have kaplan.
Complain about this comment
Fanatastic weekend for rugby. Any recommendations where to go for pre-match drinks on Saturday evening as I guess the alcohol free exclusion zone will be in force in Paris again - but why? it just encourages people to turn up late, leave early, and cause major pedestrian crushes.
Complain about this comment
The only risk of buying tout tickets are that they may be counterfeit - other than that there is no way ticket holders will be turned away as those at the turnstiles will have no clue as to the original owners of the ticket.
I've heard all this sort of scaremongering before in trips to Euro 2004 and the World Cup in Germany. Both employed systems where people's names were printed on tickets and both UEFA and FIFA said prior to the tournament that ticket names would be checked against ID and only those that match would be let through. In reality nothing even close to this happened, at England vs Sweden my ticket said Anders something and against Portugal my surname was Pinto!
The authorities have to be seen to try and discourage touting, but as long as you've got the money the tickets will be available in Paris on Saturday. From my Football travels I will give those attending a bit of advice straight out of the independant England fans organisation that produces the 'Three Lions' fanzine from the pre England vs Ecuador game in Germany 2006 ; 'It seems that in most instances of counterfeit tickets reported to us, the people purchasing the tickets said those selling mainly had Merseyside accents whereas with locals or other foreigners there was no problem.'
Complain about this comment
I would be carefull in Paris as well Ben I was shocked to see pepper spray, flick knifes and all sorts of nasty impliments on general sale in a shop off the Champ Elysee. Having said that when I was over for the Tonga game the Parisiens were very welcoming especially near the Parc des Princes where they are more use to PSG hoolies. Friendly rugby fans who drank lots without fighting were a welcome change. I wouldn't hang around St Denis where the Stade de France is though it has all the character and charm of Wembley. Get thee over to the Marais. Enjoy.
Complain about this comment
Ben
Sorry to hear about your pepper spray attack. My pals (5 in total)and I got home last night after our 5 day campervan extravaganza. I don't know how you boys are doing it - we managed just 1 night in the small, smelly vehicle when we parked outside the Russian embassy on Saturday.We were greeted by some giggling Marseille joggers on Sunday morning to say that the chances are we'd be shot, blown up or beaten up if we parked there. When we explained we'd been there 24 hours they ran off like Paula Radcliffe caught short.
Anyway the other 4 nights we spent in Relais et Chateaux (we are all past our 30's and not used to slumming it these days you see) so if you want a recommendation of an excellent hotel en route to Paris try the Hostellerie de Levernois
It's in Beaune, just south of Dijon if you're going that way.
Got another tip for you - Habana to be top try scorer (he's on 6 behind only Drew Mitchell on 7 and Habana has 2 games to go of course) at evens.
Enjoy the rest of the tournament and thanks for your entertaining reports.
Nick Hughes
P.. One of our party, the token Welshman, reckoned that Saturday's game was the most boring game of rugby he'd ever seen...perhaps he needs pepper-spraying.
Complain about this comment
Glad to hear you're not suffering too much from effects of pepper spray, and are on your way to the next big party.
Tom can obviously not have done his research too well, as there is a very good campsite on the banks of the Seine next to the Bois du Bologne. It is called Camping du Bois de Bologne and is on Alle du Bord de l'Eau 75016. Might be wise to book in advance though.
I had the foresight to book the Eurostar, hotel and tickets a while back (being the eternal optimist), so hope to see you in a bar somewhere (any suggestions will be gladly accepted).
Complain about this comment
Delighted I decided to give the Springboks a chance this year and book my trip to France in Feb...it is going to be a cracking weekend for both games!
Do keep us updated as to where you will be hanging out so I can continue to indulge my school-girl like crush on Tom and stalk him in a slightly deranged drunk Saffa fashion.
No really.
Complain about this comment
Great work on the Blog guys, some fantastic Rugby so far, & I'll wager that there will be some more to come this weekend! Sadly myself and four intrepid adventurers are traveling a bit further this Saturday & need somewhere to watch 'Le Crunch' in Nairobi... Can anyone out there help with a decent suggestion of a place?!
On the back of the bet I just won against my Australian Girlfriend, I'll take another on England beating France in Paris for a place in the final!
Go on Boys!
Complain about this comment
Good to see the the pepper has not affected Dirs pecker, which is still up
Complain about this comment
Hey guys I can recommend a good bar - The Frog & Rosbif (poking fun at what the English think of the French and vice versa). Tom & Ben - if you email me your cellphone number I'll pre-buy you a pint (they have an online bar where you can send beer by SMS: textopint.frogpubs.com)
Complain about this comment
Great Blogging guys. I forsee a narrow French win i'm afraid. We won't bully them like we did the aussies. Unfortunately my financial situation forces me to remain at home for the world cup, however, I'm not that poor that I don't have a TV. Myself and friends will be crowded around the Panasonic like wasps around a discarded ice cream come Saturday. We will be drinking lager and eating crisps like our lives depended on it. Keep going lads, we're all mighty jealous of your journey, I'm glad to see you've been ripping it up.
Complain about this comment
Guys,
I am not an England supporter, although live in the UK, but what I have seen over the past 10 years, Rugby, Cricket and Football World Cups, the media put more pressure on the teams than the public. I am sure all English supporters want their selected sports teams to win, but give them a break, everybody has off days and luck. Enjoy the moments and remember the good times, sport will then be more of a pleasure for you !!
Argentina the example, less media coverage, no home pressure, their country is proud, let us Brits be proud that they got this far havent they?
Complain about this comment
See you in the carpark next week for the final!
Complain about this comment
I dont see any problem with going without sleep, would totally be worth it for such an epic weekend! Went without much last weekend while getting to Marseille from Germany, but it is the price one must be willing to pay to watch our boys stick it to the Aussies!
Not sure if I will be able to get any tickets for this weekend, but if I can, I may be begging a bed in Le Bloggernaut!
And for any Frenchies reading this, we have had roasted rooie, bring on the fried frog!
Complain about this comment
The New Zealand 鈥楢ll Chokers鈥 head home early once again, accompanied by the Australian 鈥榃anabies鈥欌 Oh dear, what a pity, how sad, never mind.
Go tell the French that the English are coming!
Complain about this comment
Fantastic blog guys, keep it up. Great article, was very sorry to hear about you being seasoned Mr Dirs and am pleased to find that it hasn't affected your literary skills. Now we know you're alright is there any danger of posting a photo of your mug soon after the peppering?
Complain about this comment
Paul C - I reckon we need a bar near the Gare du Nord, cos it's only a couple of stops from there up to the Stade de France on the RER. Any suggestions from Parisiens?
Carole - I gave Dirsy a firm handshake and gave his shoulder a Clintonesque squeeze at the same time. It was all he wanted - if his first kiss in six weeks had come from a man in a vest, I don't think he could have handled it.
Jules and Graham - thanks so much for the offer - we've actually taken the A7/A6 route to Paris, but hopefully we'll see you up there - we'll try to nominate a bar for pre-match snifters and clink glasses there.
Shazzuci - to be fair I did spot that campsite, but word is that it's 5km walk through the Bois de Bologne to the nearest Metro station - c'est vrai? I've heard bad things can happen to a chap walking alone through that neck of the woods.
Kate - you're a cheeky minx.
Complain about this comment
Camp at the back of Lac d'Enghien.
10 minutes from Le Stade de France
15 minutes from Gare du Nord. The Hotel in the front of the lake has been used by both England & France before 6 nations games. Although I think England are staying at Neuilly until Saturday.
Which isn't far from the Bois de Boulogne, seen of Paris's only camp site & next to Longchamp.
Complain about this comment
At 03:18 PM on 09 Oct 2007, Sid wrote:
I have a nerdy question which I've been meaning to post since Saturday.
In the England-Oz game, inside the first 3 minutes, Berrick Barnes misjudged a long kick downfield which ended up a couple of centimetres from the dead-ball line. Johnny touched it down for a 22-metre drop-out. BUT if Johnny had himself been standing beyond the dead-ball line (which he could easily have done) when he touched it down would it then have been a scrum to England way back upfield?
No, it would have been a five metre scrum to Australia, because Jonny would have taken the ball beyond the dead ball line (By picking the ball up and standing beyond the dead ball line). If the ball had gone beyond the line from the Australian kick, then yes, it would have been a scrum from where it was kicked. However, the ball had come to rest, so Jonny touched it down for a 22 dropout.
Complain about this comment
Oh dear me, the Guinness is finally leaving the system, making way for this weekends new deliveries. As an Englishman living in Amsterdam, wearing an England top in an Australian bar last Saturday was very special...your description of Marseilles (Ben's incident aside) is making me twitch towards heading to Paris for the hell of it this weekend. Can't wait. I do have to echo the comment on Aussies as good losers, shame as you really want them to suffer but they do tend to lift their left arms and have a laugh. More than could be said for the Kiwis... Anyway, this weekend, England 24-20? I'm not sold on Catt and Tait, but hey I am suddenly the eternal optimist! Allez les blanc!! I never doubted them (ahem)
Complain about this comment
Ran into a coach load of kiwis today coming back from cardiff, and couldnt resist having a friendly dig and a bit of banter. bit one sided tho, quite a few of them are lacking in a sense of humour!
Complain about this comment
Why is ashton not playing Hipkiss. Ashton is going on about a spark that England have, and hipkiss has it. It would be good if we had backs that are as good as forwards, Hipkiss is . He is young, and waiting to go, it is not fair he has only played for 31 seconds in this world cup!
Complain about this comment
As an ex-pat living in Canada since 1977 I have been able to support two teams.
Canada were slow off the mark in their matches but had a chance to beat Fiji. The vastness of Canada and the dearth of rugby players makes it difficult to weld a team. We live in hope.
England depressed then amazed me. Can they keep it up?
One frustration is that Setanta Sports TV coverage of key matches is delayed by a day or two so I have to avoid all contact with the media. The other problem with Setanta in Canada is that the TV programs are mis-labelled more often than not.
I'm really looking forward to next Saturday, or, should I say, Sunday!
Doc Ron
Complain about this comment
At 02:49 PM on 09 Oct 2007, Benjamin the wise wrote:
'Before this worldcup kicked off I made three predictions one wales would be knocked out by fiji, two new zealand will choke and three england will win the worldcup back to back for the first time! the first two are right heres hoping for the third!!'
Unfortunately for me i only made one prediction; that France would win the World Cup - Darn it!
Complain about this comment
Allez les bleus!!
You are right that the campsite at Bois du Boulogne is is a bit of a walk to the nearest Metro, but it should only be 2 km or so to the Tram at Suresnes (on other side of the Seine). That will take you to La Defense RER/Metro.
Probably need a taxi to get back however, after you have drowned your sorrows after the match.
Have enjoyed reading the blogs. Lets hope for another exciting w/e of rugby, and a French / SA final!
Allez les bleus
Complain about this comment
suggestions for rugby bars in paris:
1 - the coolin (mabillon) which is a quality irish bar with plenty of good company and kiwi bar staff
2 - the auld alliance (st paul) - plenty of scottish charm
3 - stollys (st paul) - very cosy but a great place to get on the lash
4 - bar dix (odeon) - not really any rugby theme here but fantastic sangria!
enjoy
Complain about this comment
Anyone without a place to crash and in need of sanitary services - there's a wash and brush up facility at Gare du Nord called MacCleans, the irony of which seemed lost on the kilted Scots crusties I saw staggering out of it the other day. Anyone with a ticket for Sunday's game, I'm yer man.
Complain about this comment
Best rugby bar in Paris?
Kitty O'Shea (Irish, what else?) 10 rue des capucines, in the 2nd or 9th arrondissement. That's close to Opera, which is itself not that far from Stade de France by way of the RER. The TV screens are not that big but the atmmosphere is great.
Complain about this comment
If anyone is looking for a place to crash apparently LE Stadium Hotel (more hostel than hotel) on the Rue de la Chapelle is quite handy at 20 E a night and the fact that it is within walking distance from the Stade...
Tickets are going insane for England vs France with orange section tix going for 100 - 1000% (one bloke told me 1000 quid!) over the face value of a purple, but what can you do?!
France at home is always going to beat england (sadly), and i expect the multitude of scrums and line outs during that game to have a huge impact on the pitch quality for sunday.... (expect the Argentinian pack to walk over their bock counterparts) There will be a number of odd reffing calls during SA vs A, and sadly i think that the Bokke's will get robbed... Historically the team with the highest scoring (and most consistent) goal kicker still in thre tourney at the semi's has never failed to win, and (correct me if i'm wrong) i think that title belongs to Felipe at the moment...
See you all in paris boys!
Complain about this comment
I watched the England/Oz game live with my wife Gill in our apartment in New Delhi.Kingfishers and curry and a lot of not being able to sit down. For some daft reason I got this idea that if I stayed behind the sofa we'd win.Look, I don't know where it came from. It just ...came!( Am I the only one?)It worked. I was thinking I'd try it again but then it didn't do much for Lewis Hamilton the next day.
Am definitely sticking with the Kingfishers and curry but need help with my positional play or possibly a therapist.Any ideas?
Complain about this comment
in answer to your question Sid, if jonny had been standing in dead ball and then picked the ball up he would have taken the ball out of play and it would have been a scrum 5 to australia. If on the other hand he was standing in dead ball when he caught the ball then as you say the scrum would have gone back. you will probably have noticed the s/h teams are catching the ball when it goes to touch from off the pitch leaning in where it would normally bounce so that they can say it went out on the full and go back to where it was kicked. A tactic i think england should deploy against france....hope that answers your question
Complain about this comment
Great Blog.
I lived in France for 2 years near Marseille so know all about the atmosphere (and pepper spray!). Have tickets for final and arranging to meet 10 french buddies there pre-match. Never thought either of the 2 teams would make it so imagine the suprise and delight last Saturday night. Plan to get tickets for Bronze final (how?) to make sure I see both teams play. Looking forward to meeting and drinking with the rugby massess whatever colour they wear. One thing for sure, i was in france in 98 when they won the "other ball" world cup and there was hell of a party. Add the fact that this is the "true" sport then get ready, get the paracetamol and liver salts in and enjoy!
Complain about this comment
I notice that Serge Betsen has been named in the French team on Saturday.Last week he was taken off with "concussion" after 5 mins. Has the rules regarding 3 weeks mandatory rest been relaxed or have all the French decided it was not concussion but something else?
Complain about this comment
NEVER GIVE UP...
NOT WIHOUT A FIGHT..
i want s.africa in the final if we get through...This will be are hardest test so far
Complain about this comment
I have unwisely decided to organise a charity fun run for Sunday morning and roped in 10 mates too. I'm not sure they will be mates any longer if we win on Saturday!
Complain about this comment
I'd second the suggestion of Kitty O'Shea's for a few sherbets. I know that the Irish team have been known to end up there after playing in Paris, one of them was on the Chris Evans show in radio 2 a few weeks ago talking about it.
Complain about this comment
We enjoy the Pinte du Norde in a small road opposite the Gare du Nord. The owners mannerisms are very like Basil Fawlty, well worth a visit. If there is a group of you he will negotiate the price of the beer !!!!! Catch him outside before you go in and youll get 50cl for 4 euro. Cant be there this weekend but enjoy.
Complain about this comment
My advice is to go to Stade de France on metro line 13 (dir. St Denis). Exit at station Saint-Denis Porte de Paris (just north of the stadium) and you come out at the rugby village, thus avoiding all the pickpockets at Gare du Nord (which is one of the grottiest areas of Paris). That way you can visit The Bowler pub (rue d'Artois) for a few jars before hopping on at metro Miromesnil. See you there!
Complain about this comment
Dirsy, old friend here offering oodles of sympathy for you for the shiner. Loving your work on the blog keep it up son and make sure you come home in one piece. My life living with an Australian and the thought of spending Christmas with her family down under has become very sweet indeed. Stick to the path mate on your way back from the final next week full of the joys of bringing home Mr Webb Ellis.
Complain about this comment
Oy you.... enough..
Complain about this comment
Twelve points to ten points...sweet sweet victory. Skippy has well and truley lost his bounce.
Complain about this comment
Come on England !!!
Whilst I hope England win I hope we behave..... I can't believe some of the blogs about the Kiwis - apparently Howlett was arrested for damaging cars at a Heathrow hotel and Vaka assualted a member of staff at Heathrow Airport
All this and Henry makes a public statement saying what a great touring side they were?!
So somebody please keep Ronnie on a leash!!
Good on England !
Complain about this comment