TRI-NATIONS TOUR WITH WAYNE BENNETT

TRAVEL

Recently, a mate asked how many times I had been to Britain and/or Europe, and when I answered ’20’, he said I should write a book.

I’m not in the mood for that, and for those who follow this website, you will be aware that I regularly post stories from those travels.

But, with time on my hands, with this ‘Chinese flu’ keeping my wife, Marie and I largely housebound, I thought I would file a 20-part series on those trips, under sub-headings.

TRIP 12

2004

PURPOSE OF TRIP

To cover Australia’s Tri-Nations rugby league campaign in England, as well as their short tour of France. The coach was Wayne Bennett, back in charge of the national side, after one brief stint, in 1998.

COUNTRIES VISITED

England, France

SCENIC HIGHLIGHT

ENGLAND

Forest of Bowland, Lancashire, through Slaidburn and over Longridge Fell. The area occupies the western spur of the Pennines and was once described as the ‘Switzerland of England’, which is a bit of a stretch.

FRANCE

Fronton wine district, north west of Toulouse.

HISTORIC HIGHLIGHT

ENGLAND

St Paul’s Cathedral, London. The largest in the UK.

FRANCE

Somme Battlefields, in particular the Australian War Memorial at Villers Bretonneux.

FIRST MEAL THAT I CAN RECALL

ENGLAND.

Sicilian beef at Devonshire Arms, Earls Court, with our daughter, Melanie.

FRANCE

Steak at Salon de Capucines, Paris

MOST MEMORABLE MEAL

ENGLAND

Lamb Shank, Chequers Inn, Ledsham, West Yorkshire, dining with fellow members of the Australian media pack, as well as ARL chief executive, Geoff Carr.

FRANCE

Mussels at Cafe Americano, Toulouse with Brent Reed from Australian Associated Press and top sports photographer, Col Whelan. The restaurant was recommended by former French league international, Charles Zalduendo, a police inspector.

FIRST PUB/BAR STOP

ENGLAND

‘The Bridge’, Barnes, after covering the Australian Rugby League team’s training run at nearby St Paul’s School, on the banks of the Thames. Beer – Shepherd Neame’s ‘Spitfire’, the signature beer of the Faversham (Kent) based brewery.

FRANCE

A small corner bar, not far from the Warwick Hotel in Paris, where I was staying with the Australian Rugby League side. The hotel, in Rue de Berri, was just 100 metres from Av.des Champs-Elysees.

BEST BAR/PUB STOP

ENGLAND

The Slubbers Arms, Halifax Old Road, Huddersfield, for a Timothy Taylor’s. The name derives from part of the manufacturing process in cotton and woolen mills. Enjoyed a pint in the company of noted English league scribes, Martin Richards, Dave Hadfield, Richard Bott and Terry Holmes.

FRANCE

An Irish Pub in the middle of Toulouse – because it showed the rugby league on television.

ONE SPORTING EVENT

ENGLAND

Australia’s 32-12 win over New Zealand at Loftus Road Stadium, London, home ground of Queens Park Rangers Football Club. The Kiwis led 12-8 at halftime, in a match of high intensity. Sonny Bill Williams was one of the Kiwis’ best, while Anthony Minichiello was prominent for the Kangaroos.

FRANCE

Australia’s 52-30 win over France in Toulouse. The French, with rampaging forward, Djamel Fakir on fire, led for long periods, before Australia stormed home in the latter stages. It was Matt Bowen’s one and only Test for Australia.

EVENT OTHER THAN SPORT

ENGLAND

Media call at Soho Club, London, with Australian coach, Wayne Bennett and Kiwi boss, Daniel Anderson put up, mainly for the London media. Unfortunately, very few local journos fronted, and those who did, had no idea what to ask. It was left to me to ask most of the questions. Weird.

FRANCE

Government reception for the Kangaroos, at Australian Embassy Paris, overlooking the Eiffel Tower, drinking Hahn Premium.

DIFFERENT PLACE

ENGLAND

A working man’s club at Leyland in Lancashire. I attended a dance and show, with English league writer, Martin Richards and his wife, Barbara.

FRANCE

A back street bar in the Sorbonne area of Paris, where locals played board games.

MOST UNUSUAL EXPERIENCE

ENGLAND

Playing darts at the Viaduct Pub, Leeds with Australian rugby league players, Scott Hill and Jason Ryles, as well as trainer, Billy Johnstone, and phsyio, Tony Ayoub. And I played all right, too.

FRANCE

A police escort from our hotel in Toulouse to the stadium, for the Test match between Australia and France. OK. We (Col Whelan, Steve Mascord and I) tagged along with the team bus.