Four days. Two ferries. 1,340 miles. Three hotels. Several coffees. One game. Two goals. Countless hours working. And, finally, two very tired reporters. But the Watford Observer’s trip to Germany was certainly memorable.

When my colleague Tom Bodell and I helped put the final touches to last week’s paper on Thursday afternoon our first inclination was to head home, put our feet up and relax. It had been one of those weeks.

Instead we loaded up the company Vauxhall Vectra and set off for Watford’s pre-season training camp in Germany. Just the nine hour drive and two hour ferry trip away; and that was on a good day.

We stayed the night in Dover on Thursday. Our hotel, which I’ve decided I won’t name, had seen better days - if we’re honest it wouldn’t have looked out of place in an apocalyptic thriller.

But never mind; we’d only be staying a few hours before a 2.50am alarm call. We awoke to demoralising news. Watford’s friendly at Eintracht Branshweig had been cancelled. It was perhaps an indication of what was to follow.

Unperturbed we headed to the port for our 4am ferry. We were advised to arrive 45 minutes early but, in an attempt to ensure we wouldn’t have problems boarding, arrived at 3am. Nothing like being prepared.

We both felt worse for wear as we joined the queue for passport control. The minutes and hours then ticked by.

Three o’clock became four o’clock. Four o’clock became five o’clock. Five o’clock became six o’clock. You get the picture.

We’d missed two ferries. “You’d be better turning back and going home,” one glib lorry driver said to me on the tarmac. We had more resolve than that! (Plus it was incredibly busy and reversing was impossible).

Tom and I finally got through passport control at 6.45am. Good news, we’d made the 8am crossing. Bad news, it was delayed until 9.30am.

So more than six hours after leaving out hotel in Dover, we’d managed to reach…Dover. It was going well.

We finally arrived in Dunkirk shortly after midday. Our mood reflected by the gloomy weather and barren landscape.

But as the miles were ticked off our mood improved; partly helped by stimulating conversations which ranged from Watford’s pre-season tour to Tom’s unfathomable disdain for crisps.

France blended into Belgium, Belgium blended into the Netherlands and we only realised we’d hit Germany when a BMW hurtled up behind us. We’d reached the autobahns.

We reached our hotel - which was just outside Hanover - at 9.15pm German time. It had taken us around 17 hours but we’d made it.

The rest of that evening is somewhat a haze; lack of sleep will do that. We crawled into bed soon after our arrival. It was an early start on Saturday in order to cover the Hornets’ morning training session.

Marienfeld, where the Golden Boys were staying, is a world away from the Premier League but it was perfect for the Hornets. And also for Besiktas and Hamburg who Watford shared the hotel with during the week.

A group of Hornets supporters were gathered at the hotel on Saturday morning and we joined them to watch the players go through several fitness drills.

The highlights: Tommie ‘Hulk’ Hoban breaking free of the tension harness. Gabriele Angella being pulled over by the tension harness. And Jose Holebas’ shorts. If you’ve seen the pictures you understand.

Watford’s players all mingled with the gathered supporters after training. They signed autographs, posed for photos and had short conversations. Ultimately the squad were in Germany to work, and work hard. But they did recognise the efforts of those who travelled.

Tom and I conducted interviews with the well-groomed Valon Behrami, midfielders Sean Murray and Ben Watson and Hornets boss Quique Sanchez Flores. The Spaniard looked tired but spoke with verve and vigour about tactics and potential signings.

It was then back in the car, back to the hotel and back to work. Quite what the staff at our hotel thought when we lumbered through the foyer with laptop and camera bags aplenty is anyone’s guess.

It had been another long day but it was what we expected and, ultimately, what we hoped for.

After raiding the breakfast buffet on Sunday morning, we set off for Paderborn. In keeping with our travel woes on the trip the junction we needed to access to make it back on to the autobahn was closed.

We were forced to take the scenic route. There certainly are a lot McDonalds in Germany and windmills also seem popular.

Two hours later, however, we arrived at the Benteler Arena. Paderborn were in the Bundlesliga last season and their stadium was modest but impressive.

Tom, who is mostly fuelled by Diet Coke, was delighted to find several bottles on offer for the press on arrival. The German meat and cakes were also a treat too. Paderborn have set a high benchmark for Premier League sides to match!

 On the pitch Watford were very good. Quique Sanchez Flores’ men looked sharp and a cut above their opponents, who start their competitive season next weekend.

Due to the timing of their flight - their plane was set to take off just over an hour after the full time whistle - the Hornets players had to immediately leave the ground. 

It caused a few problems as, in their haste to exit, a few players forgot to applaud the small group of travelling supporters.

In the car park two fans confronted Flores through a fence as he was making his way to the team bus. The Spaniard apologised profusely and explained how important the supporters are to what he wants to achieve with Watford.

But a couple of dissatisfied voices shouldn’t taint what was a good showing from the Golden Boys fans who chose to travel to Germany. Also, a mention to the Hornets staff for their help during our trip.

We managed to grab quick interviews with Odion Ighalo and Almen Abdi, did the necessary write ups and then headed to our hotel for the night in Paderborn. Of course, we managed to get lost on the way.

After sampling the local cuisine it was back to the hotel, finish off working and straight to bed.

Our breakfast on Monday morning was basic. There was no full English on offer. Outrageous!

Fortunately our journey back was simple - although we were forced into a strange town where trams and cars seemed to compete for the lanes. The Vectra showed no mercy.

We trundled back through Holland and Belgium into France. The ten-year-old company car excelling. The two drivers now very much worse for wear.

But we safely made it to Dunkirk, crossed the channel and were back home by 10pm. Hopefully Watford supporters enjoyed our coverage. Despite our travails we certainly enjoyed the trip.

The Watford Observer's trip to Germany was kindly sponsored by DAS Heating, Bathrooms & Lighting Supplies Ltd. Visit www.dasheating.co.uk/shop/ for more information. 

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