PS... Gee!

Well. it had to end sometime. For those teams out of the Cup in the early stages, they had their moments - it augurs well for the game at large but puts the responsibility for development on those nations who can help. Keep an eye out for what actually happens!
Many players are retiring now - the more articulate will try punditry or journalism. The rest..who knows? Groundsmen, coaches, managers, travel 'envoys', clothing 'designers'..?
For the journeyman amateurs ie: us, most  already have occupations so we reduce our options by one third. We can still talk about it and think about it, but not do it. That is, unless 'FOLKLO' rears its formidable head - in which case we become ten years younger at a stroke (if she does it again make it fifteen years younger..). Plessis Meudon got to this stage many years ago and started a Folklo XV (which was really their First XV playing beer matches- they were ancient!).
Then Old Gaytonians, we were invited to 'tour' (that word again!) in 1998. I was captain. We won. Who cared - it was a great weekend which included a trip to Chablis from Paris that took two and a half  hours in the cold and rain going out and about ten minutes for the return, fuelled by thirty or so bottles of Chablis. Every song in the history of rugby songs was sung on that coach and it must rate as a special moment for anyone who was there. Our rugby was phenomenal and included the introduction of a plucked chicken into the passing movements - no-one seemed the slightest bit 'fazed' by this and the game continued... Someone tried to kick it into touch but didn't poulet off. The restaurant was wrecked on the Friday night and Plessis had to get a cleaning company to sort it out the next day - all their fault I understand! Sunday's after match affair was suitably restrained and we gave them a gnome to celebrate all things nice and, particularly "Folklo". Oh - and Patrick Delage was 40 so we spent the post Chablis night raving - great preparation for the Sunday game!
It was destined to be a 'one off' this folklo thing...a lot of players saying cheerio to each other.
1999 saw Plessis Meudon arrive with a very young Johan and Jerome Delage, a baby faced Arnaud Bigoin and angelic Max Cettour Rose. Angels pah! Everything paled into insignificance because it was the weekend of the France victory over the All Blacks in 'that match' at Twickenham - what a day!
Having finished with all this touring lark in 1998, we went again in 2000 (irresistible  Paris, irresistible!) - this time as a newly formed Club - West London RFC. It was Halloween and Bobby Blundell improved his looks by wearing the restaurant pumpkin on his head all night - no mean feat when it weighed in at about 30 kg. We saw Australia beat France and spent a lot of time in restaurants - what's new. Gordon Seggar was a useful addition to our touring party this time around - helping deal with the wine lake single handedly, and making a nostalgic visit to 'chez Denise' for a top up.
2001 Folklo came to England - we were thinking that it was about time to stop. Running around with guide dogs and intraveinous drips dangling was not sport for the oldies...
So in 2002 Tony and I went to Paris as "The Two Spectator Touring Party". Talk about keeping the fire going. We only managed to see two internationals, one domestic ie: Plessis match and got totally 'involved' with Patrick Delage's next door neighbour, the maniac TGV driver / alchoholic who wouldn't take no for an answer when it came to dishing out drinks. This was also the Tour of the Crooner aka  "night of Coco Ferrandez" I'm sure.(no I'm not but hey! there were only two of us...)
Definitely deciding not to do this sort of thing anymore, the French veterans arrived on English soil in 2003. Late arrival memories abounded in Covent Garden and the Spanish Arches in Harrow, with two live rock and roll bands kept the guests happy. Sunday was a laugh at Top Golf, with everyone showing how multi-talented they are/were!
Nowadays, we have mere social visits...for example The Salon Des Vins  - organised by Doron, ably assisted by loads of wine. This year Myself, Doug Maxted and Nick Dickins - next year - who's coming? Darts, Pool, even Golf - nothing is out of bounds to the determined Folklorist!
I'm sure there's more to come...

Comments

[annie]

We thought the show was over! Did somebody quite rightly shout encore! Oh by the way william is "Lost in France", a bit like the England team oops sorry!! I suppose he will get home eventually, like we all do. Do you remember the Beziers six! No idea what state he will be in! Tony thanks you for the brief history of the folklo. Would you now like the details of the two plessis mini and benjamin tours just to finish it off! your final curtain call!

Ps must dig out the picture of Patrick the alcoholic train driver (who appears to have gone off the rails!) to bring back some memories for you.
What are you going to do now martin in the small hours to keep you occupied
x annie Oh dear Hamilton has lost they say things like ( english disappointments) come in threes oh well c'est la vie