2004, Day Three, Gravelines

Day three 13th June

To shade the twins from the sun, I get out the large parasol we bought in Auxerre last year but realise that the base is at home, in the back garden.  The large folding wooden table we have with us has a hole in the centre, so if I can put the parasol stem through this and in to another hole in the ground it should work but the hole in the table is not big enough.  So Tim and I set about making the hole bigger, not easy without the proper tools but eventually (and I mean eventually, it took absolutely ages), we got it large enough and it worked.

Got a text message from Mick, they were at the gate, this was very early but he had turned up very early and P&O just put him on.  Got on my bike and went over to meet him and check in and he was put on a site adjacent to us.  It took them a wile to get the tent up but eventually after a couple of goes they got is right.

While this has been going on, an Italian guy has been walking up and down the road talking on his mobile and is still talking after Mick is done.  By the end of his conversation he is getting a bit agitated, then he eventually loses it and smashes the mobile onto the road, sending pieces of phone in all directions.  After a while he calms down, collects up all the bits he can find and puts them in the bin, later he comes back and rummages in the bin but it is really smashed beyond redemption and he leaves it where it is.

That afternoon we all walked in to town and then down by the river or canal or inlet or whatever.  It was a gorgeous day and we sat, just taking in the views for a wile.  There are a few bars and shops round the town square and as Nicky, Tim and the twins are heading back, the rest of us make a stop at one of the bars for a drink or two.

We got menus from the pizzeria and after serious discussions about what everyone wants, Tim and Jenifer go to get supper on the bikes.

The evening was is going well, we were winning 0 - 1 until Beckhem missed a penalty at 71 mins, then at 90 mins (90 mins), a Heskey foul gives France the equaliser and then within seconds James gives away a penalty and France win 2 - 1.  (whats really unbelievable is, that these people are still involved in the England team in 2011)

Day two or Day four