Thursday, June 23:

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Our men in France, Jon Lock (left) and Gary House (right) have been to the Velodrome for three matches at Euro 2016, witnessed violence both inside and outside of stadia, and seen some of the most picturesque views of Marseille.

"'Don't take me home'. That is the song which has been imprinted into our brainsm especially whilst England were in Marseille.

"Once we got up and had breakfast it was back to the rooms to pack.

"I bought a Euro duffle bag the day before so, as the cases were going into the hold, I put all the important things in it to take on board with me.

"Then it was on the Metro again for the last time to the main train station, and a short wait for the train.

"The train we needed was going on to Lille, but we were getting off at the first stop. We boarded, put our cases in the luggage racks and sat down.

"Then a person calmly walked on to the train, took a hold of my cases, and exited.

"Thankfully we saw this so I ran off the train and gave chase, but I had no idea who had stolen my case.

"It had been marked with unique markings so I could recognise it on the baggage claim, and I soon spotted it.

"I managed to do the 100m or so to the case extremely quickly as he was calmly walking down the platform.

"Shouting for someone to stop him, three armed police turned and grabbed him at the same time I took hold of my case.

"They asked if I was okay, and I said I was as the only thing that mattered was getting my case back, even though it just had worn clothes in it.

"We told the police that as the train was just about to leave, we had to be on it to get our flight, so they gave him an extreme talking to in a way only a man with an automatic rifle can, and we reboarded the train.

"Thankfully the journey to the airport was nice and quite, if very hot, as we stayed in the corridor not letting go of our luggage.

"Once at our stop it was a courtesy bus to the terminal then the wait for the check in to open, keeping our eyes on the luggage at all times.

"I also did a full case check and nothing had been taken or added.

"The cases were then checked in without the usual secruity questions, like has your luggage left your sight?

"Then it was on the plane back to Heathrow and a taxi ride back home for a nice cup of tea.

"So even our last day, which should have been our most boring, turned out to have some excitement to it.

"Both Jon and I, and all our luggage, made it back home safely

So even our last day which should have been our most boring turned out to have some excitement to it.

Tuesday, June 21:

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: The view our men in France, Gary House and Jon Lock, had inside the Velodrome ahead of the match between Poland and Ukraine.

"Our last full day started with shopping for those back home, a walk to the Arc de Triumph, lunch, and soaking up the pre-match atmosphere at the old port, then back to the hotel for a quick change into match clobber.

"It was 2.30pm when we got to the Velodrome for Poland against Ukraine.

"There was time for Jon to have a quick beer before heading into the stadium and climbing up all those stairs to the top blocks.

"Again there was a great view, this time of the whole pitch.

"The game started in the usual way, with a couple of flares, as was the goal and final whistle.

"Thankfully the game passed this time with no violence, or so we thought at the time.

"The usual walk back to the hotel seemed quicker, and then our final full day was over.

"Jon checked the internet during dinner and told me that water cannons had been deploued on both Polish and Ukrainian fans in the old port area after we had left, plus more trouble outside the stadium.

"Again we were completely oblivious to it all.

"So, that is violence at all our matches, but the only acts we saw with our own eyes were inside the Velodrome when the Russians rushed the English on the final whislte, and the Hungarian Ultras pushing themselves behind the goal from one of the main stands."

Monday, June 20:

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: A picturesque view from the Frioul of D'If and Marseille.

"The choice of the day on Monday was to make the voyage over to Chateau D'If and Frioul.

"Chateau D'If is a small island outside of Marseille port with an extremely interesting history. It contains a fort that was used to protect Marseille from her enemies, before being used as a prison.

"There have been some famous prisoners kept there, including at one time, the person known as "The Man in the Iron Mask".

"The other is the only person known to have escaped from which, the author Alexander Dumax having heard of this, wrote "The Count of Monti Cristo".

"The ferry then took us over to Frioul, which is a two island archipelago next to D'If. It is inhabited 365 days a year and is also a place to head for walking and sun-bathing for the locals in Marseille.

"We had no need for sun-bathing, so walking it was, after a spot of lunch - Moules Provencal for Jon and Sardines for me.

"After a few hours of walking it was back on the ferry and, guess what, back to O'Mallies for that extremely drab England v Slovakia match.

"We watched the match with a lot of English, a few Scots and Yanks, and one Aussie."

Sunday, June 19:

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Our men in France, Gary House and Jon Lock, visited these lavender fields as a part of their Provence tour on Sunday.

"An early start saw Jon and I having coffee and croissants in a bar at the port at 7am, while people were still drinking beer around us, before heading for the Provence tour.

"With our tour guide, Lucille, the first stop was Baux-de-provence, a pretty, medieval town and castle that was once home to one of the strongest families in provence.

"We also went in Carrieres de Lumieres, a chain of caves where still and moving images from Marc Chagall are projected onto every wall with accompanying music. It was a very surreal and moving show.

"After a short drive we arrived at Saint-Remy-de-Provence where Van Gough was hospitalised and where Nostradamus was born.

"After a walk around the town it was back in the people carrier to head to Gordes, making an unscheduled detour on our request to see the lavender fields.

"Just outside Gordes we stopped at a vista point to view the town at its finest and all I can say is wow!

"Lunch was had in Gordes before we wandered around the very hilly town - we got a lot of exercise today.

"After a lengthy journey we then arrived at Roussillon with its ocher cliffs and colourful houses.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: A view of Roussillion with its ocher cliffs and very colourful houses.

"The stone around this area sits on top of the limestone and contains a lot of iron, which slowly rusted over the millenia leaving bright ocher stone.

"He we walked around the quarry before looking around the town.

"Back in the people carrier we headed for our last town, Lourmarin, a charming provencal village with a Renaissance castle. It is the source of inspiration to Peter Mayle's "A Year In Provence" and home to Nobel Prize for literature winner, Albert Camus.

"The tour was then over and it was time to drive back to Marseille to watch France play Switzerland.

"It was a very long but thoroughly enjoyable day, completely the polar opposite to everything we have done so far."

Saturday, June 18:

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Hungary fans in buoyant mood ahead of their 1-1 draw with Iceland at the Velodrome on Saturday.

"Today is our second match day. We headed down town again to soak up the pre-match atmosphere.

"All the Hungarians were non-stop chanting and the Icelanders just watched in a chilled manner.

"After a pit stop at the hotel to collect our tickets we headed off to the Velodrome.

"We got to the ground early and Jon bought a beer outside. I thought all match days were supposed to be dry outside the ground now?

"We then went in and found our seats behind the goal where England supporters were the previous week, and what a view (row 13).

"All the seats had been changed since the England game from just a flat seat to proper ones with a back, possibly because the Russains ran across them so easily.

"The Hungarians arrived and headed for their seats in the middle behind the goal and regardless of who was currently occupying them, or had yet to occupy them, which led to lots of arguments and displaced people.

"At least we had our seats and they were close to the aisle.

"While all this was going on the Hungarian Ultras along the side decided they wanted to be behind the other goal regardless of what ticket they had or what the police said.

"They rushed across, pushing all in front of them aside, include the extra riot police brought in, and congregated behind their goal with police in front of them.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: The Velodrome erupts with smoke from flares clearly visiable after Hungary grab a late equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Iceland.

"In the stand opposite there was no such thing as an aisle, it was just wall-to-wall Hungarians.

"We weren't so bad, but were forced to stand on our seats to see anything of the game, which turned out to be quite enjoyable with Iceland scoring first from a penalty.

"The place then erupted in the 87th minute when Hungary equalised, and by this time our aisles had vanished as well.

"At least five flares were set off along with two loud explosions.

"The Hungarians around us were good natured and treated the whole thing as a carnival, unlike the ultras at the other end.

"I can only think of one thing to say about the security and organisation at the stadium, it's an absolute joke!

"That is two matches at this ground where there have been flares and fan rushing, injuring people. This time it was the vounteers, stewards and police.

"UEFA has got to investigate this and look into possibly giving the organisers a fine.

"However enjoyable the matches are, you cannot have this type of behaviour, and the French do not seem to stop it though they did have a lot of riot police inside the stadium this time."

Friday, June 17:

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Gary and Jon found a quite square in the old town for a relaxing dinner on Friday.

"We headed into St Julienne, the hippy area of the city, before arriving at O'Mallies for the Italy and Sweeden match. I think people at O'Mallies are getting to know us now.

"We then headed into the old town and found a quit square for dinner and the Czech Republic and Croatia match, before walking the maze back into the main town and back tot he hotel feeling really relaxed.

"Saturday is our second match day.  We headed down town again to soak up the pre match atmosphere. All the Hungarians were non stop chanting and the Islanders just watched in a chilled manner.

Thursday, June 16:

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: A view from inside the Natural History Museum, which contains an exhibition on how animals helped in World War One.

"The day was centered around the England and Wales match.

"We changed our morning plans at the last minute and decided to head for the Palais du Longchamp.

"The building is now museums and the grounds are now a park, having also previously been a zoo.

"The park is not to go to if you are drunk or have a hangover!

"When the zoo closed they kept the cages and decided to put hand made animals there instead, but painted bright colours. You have to look thrice when you see a pink stripped zebra!

"After the park we headed to the Natural history museum, which also had an exhibition on how animals helped in World War One. Very fascinating.

"Then it was a tram down to the port and a quick Marseille-style meal - king crab, mussles, winkles and welks.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: A typical lunch in Marseille, which contained king crab, mussles, winkles and welks.

"We then headed to O'Mallies to join other England fans to watch the 2-0 win over Wales. To say the pub went mad in the 91st minute would be an understatement.

"Most stayed to support Northern Ireland in their win.

"In between matches we got talking with supporters who were in the pub on Thursday when the violence happened. We were shown the videos they took of what happened.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Football fans enjoy the England and Wales match at the O'Mallies pub.

"We also decided to change to the Victoria pub, but that was so packed we went back to O'Mallies.

"On the way out of the Victoria and England fan came in and went up to his friends at the bar. As they saw each other they started singing "Don't take me home".

"Within seconds the bouncer was on them, telling them to calm down, they responded by saying hello and carried on singing."

Wednesday, June 15:

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: A view from the old fort which used to protect the Marseille harbour.

"The rest did the trick as Jon and I woke up on Wednesday and most of the redness had gone.

"The 50+ sun cream went back on and we headed back to the Old Port for more sight seeing.

"Our first call was the museum where there is currently a Pablo Picasso exhibition, then onto the fort that used to protect Marseille harbour.

"After a spot of lunch we boarded a boat that took us up to the coast to Cassis, stopping along the way to view the Calangues - a national park of cliffs, inlets and caves.

"It was thoroughly enjoyable, and as there was a really good reception, we also kept tabs on the Russia and Slovakia match.

"Once back on land it was down to the Irish pub, where violent clashes on Thursday occurred, to watch Switzerland play Romania - passing the hoards of French and Albanian fans and the waiting water cannon on route.

"That game was watched back at the hotel, with staff watching it in between their tasks.

Tuesday, June 14:

"After spending a few hours at the Fan Zone on Monday, Jon and I both woke up pretty red. Not through the heat of the sun, but because of the strong wind blowing across us, effectively sandblasting off the 50+ sun cream.

"As Tuesday was going to be very hot, we decided to have a rest day with lots of SOS Apres Sun, and watch the Portugal and Iceland match at the hotel.

Monday, June 13:

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: The Old Port in Marseille, France.

"The next day we got onto the Metro and headed back to the old port, a journey we are getting to know really well.

"We boarded one of the trolley trains and headed up to the Notre-Dam De La Garde, where you can get great views of Marseille.

"We then headed back to the Fan Zone to watch both the Spain/Czech Republic and Ireland/Sweeden matches, again in a very strong wind.

"This time we got through the Factor 50+ and we are both quite red as we sit in the hotel foyer watching Belgium play Italy.

"Tommorrow (Tuesday) could be fun as it is a national strike."

Sunday, June 12:

Slough Observer:

"With quite a late night after the England and Russia match - it was around 4am when we all left to go back to our rooms - Sunday morning did not really exist for us.

"Once we had got our act together, we decided to go to the Fan Zone at the beach, which is on the end of an avenue by the ground.

"We watched both the Germany/Ukraine and Turkey/Croatia matches right next to the beach and the famous Mistral wind, which cleared away all the cobwebs.

"I would say that the Fan Zone was half full of England fans that were only interested in enjoying themselves."

Saturday, June 11:

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Gary House described the atmosphere for the England and Russia match as one of the best he has ever experienced, but it soon turned sour when violence broke out.

"When I agreed to write of our trip to watch three Euro 2016 matches in Marseille, the last thing I thought I would be writing about was explosives and completely unprovoked attacks.

"We spent the whole morning at the old port sea and had a really relaxing time, looking at the sights and checking out things to do in the coming days.

"Then, with the previous days in our minds, we headed to the stadium via the hotel. We were sitting outside the stadium at about 4.30pm and watching everyone having a great time.

"The stadium gates opened at 6pm and we headed in, going through the security checks. I had to empty all my pockets as security could feel coins in one of them. Everyone was checked in an army-style way.

"The atmosphere grew and I can honestly say that it was one of the best I have experienced.

"We had seats in the sixth row, level with the 18-yard line, at the Russian fans end.

"England were on it from the start and should have been two goals ahead at half-time, and for once we were defending okay, until the last 10 minutes.

"Towards the end of the second-half the Russians set off two flares, and then there was an almighty bang. My first reaction was to duck as it sounded like a bomb.

"The final whistle went and all I could see to my right was a wall of white rapidly moving away from the middle as the Russian fans rushed towards England supporters, throwing whatever they had to hand.

"At that moment we decided the best thing to do was to leave the stadium.

"With everyone heading the same way, the best option was to walk back until we reached a Metro station away from any trouble.

"When we finally got on a train it suddenly stopped in the tunnel. Everyone was told to leave and walk along the tunnel to the next station. Thankfully that was the station before ours, so we decided to walk the rest of the way.

"Back at the hotel we spoke about our experiences with others we had previously met.

"One person had been attacked by masked people outside of the stadium before the match and had blood from an eye injury all over his shirt.

"A Scottish family had been sitting right where the Russians attacked at the final whistle, but thankfully they all got out unhurt.

"Others had lost their phones so could not contact home until they got back to the hotel.

"Conversations also went on as to how the Russians were allowed to take explosive material into the stadium considering they way we were checked over on entry.

"Jon and I are both safe and now have a week until our next match. We are looking forward to relaxing, so this should be the last entry that talks of violence."

Saturday, June 11:

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: The scene around midday in Marseille as riot vans and police monitor football supporters. 

"So far we have heard of two nights of violence at the pubs around the old port in Marseille.

"We are six stops on the Metro from there so we were oblivious to both incidents. We found out on the BBC World News and internet.

"The old port was very idyllic this morning and slowly filled up with English, Russians and Americans as the day unfolded.

"We then left the port and headed back to the hotel to get ready for the match.

"With all the security going on, we will be there about four hours before kick-off. So once half-time comes in the Albania/Switzerland match, it is off to the velodrome."

Friday, June 10

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Slough Town fan Gary House (Horsham Rebel Photography), right, and Jon Lock, left, arrive in Marseille, France for Euro 2016.

"After a good flight we arrived at Marseille airport and, after being told to go to the machine to buy a train ticket, we were then told the trains were on strike!

"After then buying coach tickets we arrived in the city, and one Metro trip later we found the hotel.

"Next is is a nice cold beer, dinner, and the France game."

Thursday, June 9:

THE Observer has teamed up with official Slough Town photographer Gary House to diary his journey with England at Euro 2016 in France.

House, better known as Horsham Rebel, will document his holiday in an exclusive online photo diary which can be viewed online across all Newsquest Berkshire titles.

The photographer, and his friend Jon Lock, will be based in Marseille and have tickets to three group stage matches including England’s clash with Russia on June 11.

“We decided to get the hotel and flights sorted before the draw was made and applied for five pairs of tickets,” he said “We were driving back from Slough’s match at Paulton Rovers and listening to the draw on the radio when B1 came out as England.

“That was great and I’m probably most looking forward to the England game though I don’t really like watching them, and Russia are quite good.”

House and Lock also have tickets for Iceland against Hungary on June 18 and Ukraine versus Poland three days later.

“A lot of people on Twitter are saying that Iceland have an outside chance, and I’ve never seen them play,” said House.

“We are also definitely going to the fan zone which is on one of the beaches and can hold 80,000 people, so twice the size of the stadium.”

Check online for regular updates to the diary which may also include a cruise, vineyard tour, fort St Jean and the old town and port in Marseille.

Visit www.horshamrebel.co.uk for more information about the Horsham Rebel or follow him on twitter at @HorshamRebel