Apres Bordeaux

The Pirate looks back on his weekend in Bordeaux

Pirates Tour report

Bordeaux – horrible start, great finish: not a rugby match report

Several months ago MrsCRW and I decided that Bordeaux was to be a proper short break.  Four days in a decent hotel with wine tasting, good food and a small game of rugby. Best laid plans eh?  A close friend passed away the week before and his funeral was on the Friday.  There was no question which took precedence so we attended and said our goodbyes. 

Logistics meant we could no longer go out to Bordeaux as a couple so, rather than waste the pre-paid room, I went solo on a red-eye from Gatwick on Saturday morning.  Have to say BA are rather good carriers – got complimentary breakfast.  The flight cost about twice that of the easyJet flight; but the breakfast was free.

Straight to the hotel. Receptionist brightened my morning by saying I was in a ‘privilege room with free mini-bar’.  Then darkened my morning by saying: ‘but no alcohol’.  All the usual suspects were sorting the logistics for the day.  Mike Selley was there as was Oggy so I was in safe hands.  Met up with the crew with whom I was spending the week-end as well.  They are bad people who led me into temptation later  that day.

Reconnoitred the week-end’s HQ: The Connemara – looked good but I was really early so no-one there. Found a tiny wine bar where the owner and I agreed my French was execrable and his English no better.  Fortunately we spoke the same language of point, pay and drink.  Two Bordeaux Superieur and a Medoc later I was looking at life with a big smile. 

To the ground where security at the ground was incredibly tight.  Pat-down search for everyone, no exceptions.  Totally understandable and the security guys were doing it with a smile.  High priced fizzy beer with the silly token system (still got a couple left) in the ground but it was wet and it was cold so hey, no complaints.

Game must have been great for a neutral.  Loads of positives for Rob and his team.  Lineouts were a bit dodgy but nothing that cannot be sorted out on the training ground.  Huge travelling support who didn’t stop singing and chanting throughout.  The team given a rousing Chop at the end of the game when they came over.

Post-game?  Hmmmmm, perhaps a veil needs to be drawn over that.  Suffice to say I was helped back to the hotel early evening by a good chum and slept well.  I missed the singing, the fun and the games at the Connemara. Apparently a number of the players came down and mixed happily with everyone there  - i.e. the ones who can hold their liquor.

Sunday:  the hangover from hell dictated a six mile pre-breakfast route march.  Bordeaux is a stunning city that has resisted the waterfront gentrification of other cities, hence the original buildings are still there in all their glory.  The market was just opening so I returned after breakfast and met loads of other fans.  Without exception every one of them who knew me mentioned how well I looked  . . .

Afternoon snooze, excellent evening pizza with the crew then a decent kip before returning Monday morning with easyJet: on time, but no free breakfast.

Bordeaux – recommended.