#UnityProtest in Sint-Truiden - Official Protest/'Match' Thread 3rd/4th March 2017

Feeling sleepy on day coach

But... here goes

Day started in Maidstone, where I'd travelled down to from Norfolk the night before. Good chance to check in on my old dad.... the man who introduced me to Charlton aged 9, in 1986.

Felt good to be up at 5.30. Strong. Buzzing. On the hunt from breakfast from 6 o clock. Pulling into Ebbsfleet just after 7 and seeing a flash of black and white scarves outside the station. Parking up and wanting to rush to be with the Charlton tribe.

Hit the bus. Lovely people everywhere. Given a breakfast roll on the fund. Still only 7.30... everybody chilled and easing into the day.

Just before we got to the ferry though, we had a singsong and the media got their cameras started... brains clicked into gear as people began to think smart and talk smarter

Got to the ferry... people starting to chat. Saw a few more black and white scarves mooching around the ferry terminal....

Having sat on the bus and only seen the people around us, we were then unleashed onto the ferry. Roaming around for an explore, there were charlton bods at every turn. Each with a knowing nod if you wanted.

Up on deck, some of us posed for the media in front of the white cliffs, did interviews and milked the moment with selfies. More smiles. More shared moments with strangers.

This was Charlton... out in force and doing what we do best....

Soon we were on Belgian shores and speeding along the motorway.... am a keen traveller and have been around, but I didn't know or really even care which port we'd hit and what road we were on....

For once, the destination WAS the point

Forrest Gump was a welcome chilled distraction for a bit.... then the pre match came on from Northampton (ok ok... it was my bright idea to hold my phone up to the mic for an improvised connection to other supporters up in Northampton....and I'm glad I did.... as I nearly bottled it).

When we heard them sing... it felt tribal again. Disconnected members connecting accross vast distance.

Terry and stubley were slick on the commentary.... but when somebody tipped the elder member of the duo off that they were being relayed live to the day coach and he mentioned what an honour it was, a tingle went down the spine.....his mention of this being a historic day and one where supporters would remember where they were helped build the riding atmosphere on the bus

By the time we had arrived and been shepherded through the streets to the rendezvous bar at Wim's it's fair to say that the growing group we're excited. Our bus load had locked in with another group. Tribal again. United. Growing.

Then the bar.... timing impeccable... in we went and the band cranked us.... spot on... perfect...

I don't know if they were idling and waiting for the hoarded to arrive, or what.... but to be greeted after such a long journey by such welcoming sounds (and a bite to eat) was spot on for us arrivers

By the time the beer was flowing into the system, the music was REALLY kicking in. I rarely dance. Even with mates. But here I was dancing with Charlton strangers. It helped that the 2 percent play mostly reggae and ska to my taste (btw, boys.... "I am the one in 10" really needs to become "we are the 2%")

The music and the beer got me pumped up. The communal chanting of "We want Roland out" got the crowd into a veritable frenzy

The rat mask was funny

And then we were ready to unleash ourselves onto the streets

We'd been building all day..... sleepy bus ride... the excited ferry... to anticipatory commentary on the bus... to beers and tunes and chanting loud

And now we were out to do what we came here for

Send Roland a loud and clear message in his back yard