Where, oh where do I begin?

Not with the game that’s for sure. That can wait.

I had a wonderful time in Nice, and so did Coatesy and Trigg. We had maybe the oddest preparation for an England game ever. Did we go out drinking? No. Did we go into town and sing with a host of England fans to get us in mood? No! Then what did we do?

We spent it sunbathing on the beach.

That’s right friends. We didn’t do the stereotypical pre-match ritual. And I tell you what, it was a great day.

A few waters to drink, and I went straight into the sea for a swim. Coatesy did join for a while but it did take him a good four and half hours from the moment he put his feet in the Mediterranean to the rest of him. Wimp.

I, for one, was loving it. I love a good swim in the sea. And it’s not like we get a chance to do so at Grays Beach or sunny Southend On Sea. So I’m making the most of it.

We spent most of the day there wasting the hours before going for s nearby bar for dinner, well kinda. We did have a big lunch at the beach, all of us had pizza (surprise, surprise) so we just needed a top up before heading to the match.

I had ice cream, three different types, strawberry, vanilla and chocolate – the classic combination. The other had a quick snack of assorted meats. The lures of happy hour came too much to bear as we had four beers (only having to pay for two), but we overstayed our welcome and needed to move quick.

Kick off was at 9pm but we didn’t leave the bar till nearly 7. No problem, except we were a good seven miles from the ground. There was a shuttle bus running from the airport which was only a few minutes walk away so we went there. We were too late for that!

So we needed a taxi and luckily enough there was a gent on hand to order us one as the communication between Trigg and the lady on the phone broke down. Not only I, but the others didn’t improve on their French either. The taxi arrived in minutes and took us to the ground with time to spare. At a cost of 35 euros.

So here we at the ground. We missed Three Lions but we had enough time to soak up the atmosphere before kick off. Within five minutes of the start it was going so well.

I won’t talk about the game. I’ll save it for my final post of the series.

Sadden, dejected, angry, upset. We left the ground – knowing we’d reached the end of the road.

Getting out the ground was easily enough, probably the most organised game out of them all in regards to getting in and out the ground. We got a free train back into Nice but needed a way back to the hotel which was a good five miles out in St Laurent. We got back to our hotel in record time after paying a ridiculous 45 euro taxi from the city centre.

Tomorrow we go home. For good.