Paris 2024
Day 2 – Hockey for all
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An extract from a diary, written by one of the Scouts:
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Report written by one of the Scouts:
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| Report written by one of the Scouts:
When I was in Paris I had loads of fun and it was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity my favourite part was probably seeing hockey. Hockey was on our first day in Paris (Thursday) i was in a group with Juliette, George, Zack and our leader was cat. That day was very hot and so me and Juliette were very eager to get sprayed by the water that they sprayed on the hockey pitch, but sadly we didn’t 🙁. We watched two games the first one was Argentina vs Australia and the second one was Spain vs Netherlands (I think). The matches ended late and, on our way back to the campsite there was a massive thunderstorm with lots of lightning (that was very scary) but definitely exciting! when we got back on the coach when we were wet and cold the karaoke definitely topped it all off. Another one of my favourite moments was probably waiting behind at the train station waiting for the minivan taxi whilst we were waiting we got to use the vending machine after all week wanting to. |
It all started this morning with a slug. I popped on my shoe to feel a grape against my heel. At 5:50am, it did not occur to me that there were no grapes on site. Or even how it would have dropped intact and unpeeled into my shoe. So when I merrily popped my hand into remove said grape…
…Needless to say, I washed my hands several times.
Travel to Hockey was easy. French coach. We gave our lovely driver a lie-in after an epic drive yesterday! Top guy is our drive!!
French train: Groovy lights, almost disco time. Air conditioning. Thank everything and everyone for air conditioning.
Walk to stadium. This is where the real fun begins.
Met an ex-Scouter from Plymouth. Had call outs from the games makers. Was admired by many, many folks for looking smart in pink t-shirts, complete with excellent design that people have decided to study when you’re stood in a queue. Neckers, aptly rolled by Tim and Cat.
Mike had a press photographer take a photo of his t-shirt and Necker combo. He was clearly rocking it. He did slip his hat on mighty quick though. Blamed the sun… and not his lack of hair?
Tim made friends with some lovely fellas from India. Clive made friends with a lovely family from Sweeden. (Apparently, their hockey obsessed son snubbed the family trip to the Olympic hockey).
…instead opting for Scout camp back in Sweeden. Turns out their elderly father has good friends in Bristol. Small world.
One thing I learnt today: don’t trust Benji.
Who are we supporting? Ireland. They lost 2-1 to Argentina. Good match though.
Other game: who are we supporting? New Zealand. They lost. 5-0.
Benji, you’re rubbish!!
Henry was most disgruntled with the Ireland hockey team. ‘They are playing like the England football team!’
A definite daily highlight was France vs. GB. We won – with the French going strangely quiet. Ah well. Shucks!
Waiting around after we met Ollie, Team GB goalkeeper, cue group photo and corresponding ‘shoutout’ on the GB Hockey socials (instagram, X (formerly known as twitter), but not facebook, but oh, actually, Facebook also!)!
An amusing interruption during the hockey was Radio Bristol ringing to book in our two superstars!
The later groups saw similar successes, with the GB women’s team smashing their game against the USA! All arrived back to site buzzing just like the first. Apparently, Carys and Co. Were obsessed with dancing and waving flags in order to get on the telly!
Our Dave is now hooked on flaming torches. A French group was having an investiture ceremony. Looked very cool until one Scout quipped: Looks like a demon ritual…
A slug free evening and a dry sleeping bag! Whoop whoop!
By all accounts, when late hockey arrived at the station a monsoon began. As Rosie said, Alexis went for the coach and instantly disappeared! Think yourselves lucky it wasn’t during the match, I say!!
Photos from Day 2 – Hockey