retired_milla0225

O Canada - The Des Arbalour Story - Epidsode Two - Part Two - The Airport

The next shot from the Dutch TV show is one of a taxi pulling up outside Schipol Airport and Des Arbalour getting out. It's a blustery day and Des pulls his long woolen overcoat a bit tighter and walks through the sliding doors and into the airport.

Inside he is met by a man holding up a sign saying, simply, 'Arbalour'. He's wearing a blazer with a crest and is holding a document wallet. Des aproaches the man, they greet each other, shake hands and the man in the blazer indicates that they go for a coffee.

The next shot shows us Des and the man sat at a table, outside a coffee outlet on the main airport concourse. The Dutch voiceover reveals the blazered man to be Alan Hutchinson, who is from the Canadian embassy in Holland, and is there to give Des his tickets.

Alan Hutchinson (AH): "Des, Can I start by saying how pleased I am you became manager of Canada. I spent a number of year's at our consulate in Birmingham and I recall seeing you in the Blue and White stripes of West Brom on many an occassion. You stood right out you know, as a class act."

Des Arbalour (DA): "Thanks, Alan, that's very kind of you."

AH: " No problem, Des. Now I've been asked by the Canadian FA to sort you out with some transportation to that great land that is Canada. They have sent a guy to London, who'll join you on the flight there, but in the meantime it's me. First step is a British Midland flight To London Heathrow, and then change to an Air Canada flight to Toronto. The tickets, and some documents about Canadian Football and Canadian footballers are in this folder."

And he slides the folder across the table.

AH: "And you did bring your passport with you didn't you ?"

retired_milla0225

Author's Note: I have to confess I have no real idea if there is really a Canadian consulate in Birmingham or not. It just kind of makes the story flow a bit better if there is.

retired_w0lfpack1

Oy! All my suspension of disbelief.. shredded!

I'm glad you brought this back to life; I was quite enjoying it. KUTGW!

retired_gabachitalinda

looks good so far

retired_milla0225

Thanks Amaroq, thanks Welwyn. Kind words are always appreciated.

Actually I want to see if I can do a whole page without actually getting to my first actual football game !

retired_jgirl87

Well, I'll stick in a :thup: for your efforts if it'll help you reach 30 replies.

retired_milla0225

Nice to see you , Spav. I trust fatherhood is treating you well ? Personally I've not had a full night's sleep in the six years since my first one was born, but don't let that put you off. A bit late now anyway for that.

O Canada - The Des Arbalour Story. Episode Two - Part Three - On the Plane

We next see Des on board the British Midland plane to Heathrow, where he'll change onto the Air Canada (they code share don't you know) flight to Toronto. The Dutch film crew are perched across the aisle, trying to get a decent shot of Des, who has a pair of seats, on the starboard side of the plane to himself. He has a copy of The Daily Telegraph on his knee, and the dossier of information about Canadian Football lies on the other seat, unopened.

Wim Zuiderzee (WZ): "Not planning to study your new players at all , Des ?"

Des Arbalour (DA): "Plenty of time for that, Wim. I'll just do this Sudoku, on the back page and I'll get right to it."

retired_milla0225

O Canada - The Des Arabalour Story. Episode Two - Part Three - Arrival At Heathrow

The show now continues with the pictures and commentary from the Dutch show with subtitles, English when the voiceover is happening, Dutch whenever Des is being interviewed

The next shot shows Des walking off the plane into the jetway corridors of Heathrow, heading the way of the 'International Transfers' signs. Wim Zuiderzee, our intrepid Dutch host, snatches a few words as they walk.

Wim Zuiderzee (WM): "A bit of a bumpy flight, did you get a chance to look over the dossier at all ?"

Des Arbalour (DA): "Well, no actually, that Sudoku was a bit of a toughie, and when those snakes fell out of the overhead lockers, taht was really frightening. I thought I'd been bitten but when I looked about they were gone."

WM: "Actually Des, you were asleep, it was a dream, you know ? It was quite amusing to see you try and fight off the imaginary snakes, have you been watching too many movies lately ?"

DA: "Ah......O look, I think we go down this corridor."

At the end of the corridor area set of double doors. They slide open to reveal the airside, international transfer area. There, waiting for Des,once again holding up a sign with Des's name on it, is the promised representative of the Canadian Football Association.

Jenny MacArthur (JMac):"Hi Des, I'm Jenny MacArthur from the Canadian FA. I'm here to escort you to Toronto. There'll be a press conference when we arrive, It's my job to make sure you are up to speed by the time you get there.

It's fair to say that Jenny MacArthur is a highly attractive young lady. Stunning, even.

retired_gabachitalinda

make sure you pick the Pesch!

Peschisolido-o-o-o-o

retired_Shevtjenko

Is Pesch still playing? I knew he played for Derby last year but am unsure if he was picked up!

Chesterfan: Good luck dealing with the CSA, bunch of political backstabbers...but i digress.

enjoying the story regardless of my hatred toward our FA