Well, what a trip! Where to start? Arrived on Friday afternoon after a mammoth 8 hour drive from Caen, met up with 6 or 7 other Eagles fans who were staying in our hotel including Eagleblade's folks. We then headed off to the square for a few drinks and a bite to eat before retiring to bed about 11.30 very tired.
Woke up Saturday and went to the square for a very nice breakfast. On Saturday afternoon we again met up with Mr and Mrs Eagleblade snr for a few drinks by the river. Got talking to a Wigan fan who had stayed over from their game in Perpignan the previous week who naively asked if he would be able to "pay on the gate"
we told him that a sell out was improbable to say the least. We then went on a boat trip across the river and down the canal where we were joined by some more Eagles fans including Mr and Mrs Airborne Eagle. After that we met back up in our hotel to get on the metro for the game.
We stepped off the metro and headed to the fag and lettuce where we met up with virtually all the Eagles fans including an already very merry Dr Badvibes and Hillsborough Lad. We headed to the ground about 6pm where I obtained a picture with Toulouse Olympique legend Carlos and his famous moustache. We all then gathered over the far side of the ground and got ready for kick off. On to the game.
I didn't think we had a prayer in that heat, I really didn't. 35c at kick off. However, 1 to 17 we were outstanding, haven't been able to say that many times this season. Simon Brown had an awesome debut and the Tangi we all knew and loved was back. I won't do an in depth report on the game because to be honest I was already pretty wiped, one thing I will say though is that Airborne Eagle's kazoos are now about as popular as the dreaded vuvuzela
.
After the game we all had a few drinks with the players in the bar round the back of the ground where there were photo opportunities aplenty. I even got one with the man himself, Mr Robert Hicks
. The players then got back on the coach and we caught the metro back to the city centre where I seem to remember singing a rendition of 'Mysterious Girl' to an unsuspecting Peter Andre lookalike
. We then ended up in an Italian for more drinks and a bite to eat. Their lack of garlic bread caused uproar amongst the English in attendance. Stumbled back to the hotel before waking up this morning, getting some breakfast and heading for Spain. Currently sat on the apartment balcony where it's pleasant in the shade at least
.
All in all, one hell of a trip. Eyebrows were raised at Toulouse's inclusion in to the Championship but I think everyone who went either last year or this will agree that it was a good decision by the powers that be. All the players came straight over at the end of the game too to say thankyou for our support, which was incredible. Best I've ever heard at an away game. Also, did I mention that Hillsborough Lad went over the hoardings? Again?
. The general concensus was that it was on a par with last year's trip which I unfortunately missed. I'd reccomend it to anyone though.
