The DadLadTour (On The Way Back From Switzerland)

Day 4  – Genève back to Manchester. 

The Match – Back To The Sofa And Watching On T.V.

12^th July 2025

These Swiss trains are really something else. Scheduled to arrive at Genève HB at 0215 and that is precisely when we arrive. We are both shattered by this time. I am especially grateful for Liam’s foresight in booking a hotel that is mere minutes from the platform we arrive at.

We are quickly back in our respective rooms at the Astoria. I don’t want to have to pack my bag when I get up in a few hours time, I’m a little concerned I may sleep late and be in a mad, crazy rush to get off to the airport. Having to pack before dashing off is an issue I want to avoid. So, though it’s late, I pack my teeny-tiny backpack, laying out a fresh pair of boxers and socks for tomorrow…well, later today.

It takes a couple of attempts to try and cram everything into the teeny-tiny backpack. This annoys me. It’s late – or early, depending on how you view it – and I am tired. And a tad grumpy. I’m GrumpPa after all.

Why doesn’t it fit in? I stress. Yes, the small day bag that wasn’t in for the outbound flight now has to go in. But I’ve not bought anything while here. Plus, I’ve been ditching the undies after each day to create some space. SO IT SHOULD ALL FIT!

I take a shower. Then, refreshed, I try again. Apart from the toothpaste, toothbrush and the small can of Lynx needed for the morning, I bin the other toiletries.

Leaving out an England top to wear, I re-roll the other football shirts. I roll them much tighter this time.

England “Kelly 18” CHECK

England away CHECK

Switzerland CHECK

Bradford City 2012/13 CHECK

The phone, pen and watch cables go in. The FSA scarf I brought with me but never used is packed. The bucket hat and snoods go in. I even manage to squeeze in the Netherlands flag I picked up on the Oranje Walk – but then it did fold down into no larger than a handkerchief sized parcel, so that wasn’t really an issue.

Then…nailed it. Everything fits. The teeny-tiny backpack doesn’t bulge alarmingly so Liam won’t tell me off for it not fitting EasyJet’s cabin luggage policy. I’m all set for a simple “get up, get dressed, get off” in a few hours time.

I tell Siri to set an alarm for 0715. Then I climb into bed. It’s gone 3am.

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I am awake moments before the opening bars of “Born To Run” sound from my iPhone. I don’t know how…but I am awake and, just like those tramps in Springsteen’s classic, I’m born to run. It’s a miracle!

Soon, after checking I’ve not left anything I’m not intending to leave and I’ve got all that I need – phone, passport, wallet, BantamMonkey –  Liam and I are climbing aboard the last Swiss train of our DadladTour adventure. This final service – the IR1 – is carrying us to the airport and our flight to Manchester.

The doors sigh closed and Genève begins to slide past our window. The train hasn’t even reached the end of Platform 4 when Liam asks.

“So, ’29? We doing it?”

Denmark and Sweden? Germany? Italy? Portugal? Poland?

FIFA decide in December of this year. I know my preferred choice of destination.

I think of our girls – #WifeNo1, #DaughterNo1 and #GrandDaughterNo1 – waiting on our return. They’ve missed an incredible trip in which we have experienced stupendous scenery, timely trains and fantastic fans. Gorgeous views. Wonderful cities. Warm people…and even warmer days. We’ve visited stunning stadiums and glimpsed breathtaking Alpine backdrops to a feast of female footballing fabulousness.

And bears. We’ve seen bears. Emilia would have loved to see the three bears.

One of UEFA’s straplines for this tournament has been…”The Summit Of Emotions.” I think they have got that line spot on. Our trip has been emotional and has scaled a summit I never dreamed it would.

The train gathers speed. It’s just a brief journey to Genève-Aéroport. We’ll soon be checking in for our flight home. Our Swiss adventure is at an end. Months of planning and fevered anticipation distilled into three days of sheer delight and excitement.

It has been magical. Unforgettable. This trip has been so far above and so far beyond my wildest expectations. And Liam has been an excellent travel companion…we’ve not throttled each other.

BantamMonkey watches on from the safety of his carabiner-clipped attachment to my teeny-tiny backpack. His eyes sparkle with interest. I reckon BM is up for another round. Maybe our ol’ pal Odysseus fancies another trek too; after all, he’s used to a lot of traveling.

…The nights are getting warmer,

It won’t be long.

Won’t be long ’til the summer comes

Now that the boys are here again…

I let the station and the city of Zürich fall away unwatched. I turn from the window to look at Liam.

The boys are back in town again.

GrumpPa grins at #SonInLawNo1. 

“2029?…….We all are.”