Letter from France: Forgotten luggage, forklift mishaps and system failures

The systems failure in getting fans into the stadiums in Bordeaux and Marseille over the weekend was the most visible and concerning example of all this given the obvious health and safety aspect.

QUEUES AT STADIUMS: Supporters at Marseille had issues getting into the stadium. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie

If there is one thing more discommoding than living out of a suitcase for weeks on end then it’s that moment munching a jambon et fromage baguette on the 12.28 to Marseille when you realise you left the damn wheelie-thing at the train station back in Toulon.

Multiple strands of thought assail you all at once. What to do, obviously. How do you contact the station? Is your pidgin French going to let you down here? Will it be nicked and give those worn Saucony runners an unexpected retirement in the south of France? And will it cause a major security scare?