England and Falcon Fan Steve 1888 tells his final tale of how he got to France for the Final of the Rugby World Cup 2007!

Be warned this is an epic tale so you will need a few beers, or a bottle of wine, or like Jonny a good couple of strong cups of tea - so settle down and enjoy, oh and watch out for colourful language on the way ;)

Thursday arrived and day off work was spent trying to get tickets still no luck, first bloke we paid via PayPal didn't send anything (we checked with FedEx) so we got Paypal to take money back luckily and then sent complaints to various places about the moron. Anyway after a few more seemed dodgy gave up and decided to wait till we got out there and headed out to pub as always on Thursday night. Quiz time again and whooohooo 4 more years keep their winning run going - few celebratory drinks and then off home to pack (well I couldn't change the habit of a lifetime could I?). After a quick snooze we set off 20-30 mins late to catch 9.30 seafrance ferry from Dover and once we got 2/3 of the way there everything started to go wrong and eventually got there just too late and managed to see the last 2 trucks loaded before our ferry headed off! D'oH!!!!!

While waiting for the next ferry I had a wander around and the port was full of people in England colours and some had there cars/motorhomes/coaches decorated too - great stuff and then I saw a bloke selling unofficial hats, scarves etc (much prefer that stuff) so had a look a bought Steph an England hat with horns & tail. Time flew past and we were soon on the ferry and after Egg & chips hit the bar for some ciders and newspaper to read. Good atmosphere on the ferry which was helped by 3 lads falling off chairs which is always good fun (no lads were hurt in this humour). I got talking to an old couple who I felt sorry for as they were trying to get to a family wedding (the Lady called them stupid for booking the same day as the rugby bless her) but were worried about the trains. I felt so sorry for them and could only help by texting French friends and finding out news which helped a bit but luckily they found someone going their way and got a lift - something good - yay!

Didn't take us long at all to get to Paris (I hate the bit where you go under the runways at CDG airport - too many scaroplanes) but took 2.5 hours minimum to do the last bl00dy 5 mile. We expected it to be bad but the strikes were causing havoc! We found our hotel which again was close to the Gare Du Nord (thanks to TRG - the star Bath fan) and even luckier found a free parking space outside hotel(well once I adjusted some builders hoardings we had haha).Quick pitstop and off out we went up to the bars next to Gare du Nord hoping to see plenty people selling tickets. All we saw when were got there was confusion and taxi queues (odd bloke selling tickets but at silly prices) so off we went to Rendezvous des Belges (cracking little boozer which had been base on our Paris trips). On arrival we were greeted by the usual waiter who promptly got our ciders and seat under patio heater while promising us table in front of big screen for the France v Argies game when ready, we then had few drinks with some South African chaps who were nervous as hell oh and I bought a final scarf off a scouse chap for 10E.

True to his word he  set us up a tab to make life easier for the night (not a easy when we got the total haha) and ciders began to flow and Steph ordered a potato, ham, cheese and tomato Omelet with fries. We then were joined by 3 unhappy southern chaps who were on a freebie courtesy of Heineken for the France game but couldn't get there so sat with us and watched the game while Steph took pity and shared her bread and fries with one of them bless her. The bar filled just before kick off and was good fun and god only knows how France didn't manage to run away into the lead but once they did it was Argentina's night - I was cheering France so more bad luck! After the match there was plenty of English fans singing various songs as more turned up 'eventually' at Gare du Nord but we decided to sit back at side and have bit crack with those out there.

When sitting outside we got talking to 2 young lads from Bournemouth (we think) who were having to sleep in their car in the overnight car park who had just come for the atmosphere. They were decent lads and we ended up staying out later than planned again and then some bloke(not scouse) tried to sell the same scarf for 15E the git but he was soon persuaded to sell them one for 10E! We were then heading off and the lads didn't know where to go to so I sent them off in the direction of Pigalle to have a fun night - hope they did! We took the short walk back to the hotel and I had a fawlty towers moment when asking for bottles of coke for the room the barman ran round to reception and waved me over to give me a bottle opener then by the time I got back to pick the bar he was in front of me with the bottles ! WHY???? Never mind off to bed and after nervy hour or so final settled waiting for the big day......

Before I start this I'd like to apologise to the couple we were talking to at Bristol as they texted to say enjoy the day but I stupidly deleted it by accident and lost the number - but if you're reading thanks it was very nice of you!

The Big day had arrived and I was up and out for 8.30 am looking for tickets and by 9am after various offers via text and in person I'd bought some for approx £500 quid each off a bloke I recognised off other trips in a bar near the station and the tickets were certainly genuine! Steph deserved a lie in so I went and got some English papers then back to Rendezvous pub (the local haha) to have a few ciders and read them. Suddenly the floor opened and up rose some tables (clever but a few of us were hoping for a stripper)! Ah well more ciders would have to do.

Time came to 11.30ish and had to vacate hotel by 12 (yeah right) so headed back to the Hotel via shop to buy niece a gift and woke Steph up all excited for the day ahead. We managed to pack etc quite quickly and dumped bags in car and off we went well up for the day ahead. We started by having steak au poivre avec frites again with cider for me and coke for Steph and then quick trip to le Pharmacie again for Steph pro plus pills for later. Next up we decided to use of vast metro knowledge (back up on running on some lines) to head down to the frog & rosbif but on the way up the street Steph spotted the Tartan Pub so in we went and watch the Old Firm Derby with some Celtic fans. Canny boozer it was apart from one ginger pillock erm rangers fan but Storngbow went down well - just like the hoops unfortunately (ease that smile Wearsider!!haha) and my bad luck continued! 

Next up was the frog & rosbif which was heaving with English fans and had a cracking atmosphere and served magners - whoohoo! Went to the loos in here and was very amusing - a chap had spilled Guinness down his England top and while washing out didn't notice he'd covered a certain area of his jeans in water! He managed to dry top under the drier but no luck with jeans haha! Then some bloke had to cheek to question my motives for being gentlemanly and letting the pleasant short skirted French bird sorry female up the stair before me....I mean really?? A couple more in there as atmosphere was still good and just before leaving we were treat to a cracking version of singing in the rain by, I'm guessing a vets rugby side. We decided to nip down to the frog and princess one last time but only stopped for one as you couldn't get moved but again cracking atmosphere and really up for it. With a bit of advice from the bath fan we then went on our way to the ground very excited! Oh nearly forgot to mention 2 French kids who madly rode between the carriages on the metro for about 8 stops - lunatics!! we then hopped on RER train which was stupidly full (and I got squashed next to a bloke in Durham cricket top who lives 2 mile max from me!!) but only one stop and we were up at the ground.

Walking up to the ground was great fun and good atmosphere already but as still early we headed to the RWC Village to meet the bath fan & her 2 mates (via a bush cos toilet queues were longer than my wee's ETA) and also bumped into the young couple we'd said next to each game. It was great fun there with singing, music and loads of banter oh and a fair bit wine too. Then in was time for the game and after getting another bath fan a cheap ticket we were on our way in - but..... unfortunately not for me and Steph! We got to gates and our tickets were stopped as had been bl00dy reported stolen - WE WERE SO SO GUTTED, and for 10 mins I have to say It was horrid as I was so worked up but we'd been robbed big time by some piece of shite (who I'd love to find once more) and not just the money but we'd been to every other game and this was the dream one! I soon chilled as Steph was really upset and whatever it was she was more important! It wasn't only us this happened to there was hundreds of stolen tickets on the list and loads outside frantically queuing for the cash point hoping to buy a second lot of tickets! The prices were still very high outside and I just wanted calm her down so headed back to the village to watch on the big screen (by far from the only disappointed people there - and since have heard of so many being conned). People will say you shouldn't buy off touts etc but I really blame the IRB as I should've been able to buy a final ticket dependant on qualification just as I did for QF & SF and just like they do in footie's tournaments.

Didn't really see much of the first half well did but didn't take in but the 2nd half I really thought we may have done it until the last 15 mins or so when we just seem to forget how to play again in my humble opinion.   Oh must say the Cueto touched down everyone thought try but nope he was correct. Best team on the day and of the tournament won so well done to them! After the game something finally managed to raise a smile as the kid in front of me had put a gorilla suit on for the game but hadn't thought of toilet trips and his struggle cheered a few up. We luckily then hopped in a taxi and with remarkable ease got back to Gare du Nord to say goodbye to the Rendezvous des Belges pub.

Got our little Paris local one more time and were welcomed by the waiter and owner who insisted on getting us the first drink and found us another table! We weren't really in a happy mood until we started talking to these happy Dutch lads who were singing along to the U2 concert they were showing on the screens - they were great fun and asked about Tim Visser lots and helped us say goodbye to a bar that we'd had lots of fun in properly.

Steph was starting to get tired so after a few more coffees for her and last few French ciders for me it was time to say goodbye - weird it was actually but soon brought round as it was bl00dy freezing outside now and I was still just in short sleeved new England top! We got straight in car and after a couple of wrong turns we were heading towards Calais to catch an earlier ferry than planned to try and get back for the Falcons v Bath game at 2pm! When we got to the garage it was 0.5*C and the toilet just had no windows just holes in walls - oh my god so cold!

We made good time and had an hour to spare so luckily Steph managed to get an hour sleep before boarding the Seafrance Renoir (I hate this bl00dy boat) and after quick vile breakfast and shop visit for cigs and gifts we found Steph somewhere comfy to sleep as she really deserved a rest. I then went into shop and bought the cuddliest stuffed animal I could find and gave her it to snuggle up to (not much but at least something - she deserved so much more) and then sat and had a few drinks while most on board slept. We finally arrived at Dover and after stopping at Garage for newspaper and energy drinks for Steph we were on our way and after just only a couple of brief stops made it back by 11.35 so had time for pit stop! After a lush wakey shower and some McDonalds fries and ready meal curry it was off to KP hopefully for a better result!

After pre match drinks with the usual crowd and wondering where on earth everybody was we headed out to our usual place in the south stand (via smokers corner) and realised no it absolutely was a pathetic crowd - all you who whined and then voted for Sunday games - where the bl00dy hell are you! Anyway we all know my unlucky weekend continued and Bath well and truly humped us (to be fair with a fair few quality players still to take their place in that squad they could have a good season) and all that was left to do was drown sorrows.

Went into the south stand bar and met up with the usual bunch as normal but got such a nice surprise as a bunch of them had clubbed together and extremely kindly bought me the new light blue training shirt to try and make up for what had happened and I'll say again it was very special to me and I am very, very grateful to all involved - a really good memory form a pretty kak weekend that I'll always remember!! :) :) After that fantastic gesture a fair few drinks were consumed and we left about 7pm and my weekend of bad luck continued as we watched Lewis Hamilton lose too.

Well that's all folks but final disappointment aside we'd had a fantastic world cup, met some great people and have some fantastic memories from it all and made better by a great performance from the England side to even reach the final - and I must say none of it possible without wee Steph to who I'm truly grateful - love you honey xxx

STEPH 

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