Diary Extract 15 Years ago:

 Saturday 22^nd May

Watched United stuff the Geordies at Wembley, said goodbye to the lads from Wales…see you in Barcelona! Jumped into the car after match, drove to Dover, caught the midnight ferry to Calais…slept in car in northern France.

Sunday 23^rd May

Crossed France, stayed overnight at Etap hotel in Narbonne.

Monday 24 May

Arrived Barcelona. Checked in hotel off Catalunya square. Night on Ramblas with United supporters.

Tuesday 25 May

Spent whole day & night on & around Ramblas with thousands of United supporters. NO ROOM for the Germans! Daughter joined us after flying in from UK.

Wednesday 26 May

More eating, drinking & sightseeing. Late afternoon, took Metro to the stadium. By chance, met the guys from Wales again (our mates in the Stretford end). Watched the most amazing match ever. German supporters left stadium in tears! Spent ALL NIGHT drinking our way back to city centre.

‘Who put the ball in the German’s net? Ole Gunnar Solskjaer!’ WE WON THE TREBLE!!!!

Thursday  27 May

 

Breakfast outside Dunkin’ Donuts and slept in hotel until lunchtime. Took daughter to airport before driving to south of France for a further weeks holiday, camping in the Camargue.

Bridiers - Fresque Historique

First meeting yesterday of Coulisse 4 in the

shadow of Bridier's XIVc chateau. An interesting
afternoon spent inspecting the site where over 400
volunteers will be performing and assisting in the
Fresque Historique during the first weekend of
August to commemorate 100 years since The Great War.
There was the opportunity to meet fellow players for the first time and to hear of roles that had been  assigned to various individuals. I discovered that I would be a French soldier in many scenes and, for the scene depicting the assassination of Jean Jaurès, a member of the press interviewing him at that fateful moment. My son is also a French soldier (we must grow our moustaches to conform to the visual images of the poilus, the infantrymen involved in the war). He is also doubling as the assassin.

There will be several rehearsals, culminating in a full dress rehearsal on 31st July. It promises to be an impressive spectacular, requiring great energy and choreography to ensure a successful production. Accompanied by music, light shows and special effects, the Fresque will run over four nights, 1,2,3 and 4 August, commencing each evening at 10.00pm. Below are some images of yesterday's on-site meeting:

Bridiers: the ruins of XIVc chateau

The first meeting of Coulisse 4

A briefing 'centre stage' to the 'German soldiers'

 
 

Spectator seating area