I’VE finally made it back to Brittany for a brief pit stop before heading to Paris on Friday for the knockout stages and a reunion with former Newport County AFC striker Conor Washington.

After Wales’ magnificent win over Russia on Monday night the squad enjoyed a relaxing day off on Tuesday – partaking in a barbecue with family and friends before flying back north.

My return journey from Toulouse was a little less straightforward with car problems delaying my arrival in Brittany by roughly 30 hours.

I filed copy from my hotel garden in 35 degree heat, a nearby shopping centre and, after my Corsa was towed, from a garage before eventually being able to start the eight-hour drive on Wednesday lunch time.

The hotel and restaurant owners in Dinard are pleased to see the Welsh media pack back in town.

And the locals should be happy too, with all hostelries near my hotel in Saint-Enogat offering free evening drinks and a baguette filled with charcuterie from 5pm to 7pm on Welsh match days.

It’s another sign of the Wales team being taken to the hearts of the Breton people.

Dinard FC even played a friendly match against Amlwch FC from Anglesey on Wednesday night, though the result is being closely guarded by S4C who filmed the contest.

Also delighted by Wales progress will be the owner of Dinard’s only launderette – three weeks in and clean underwear levels are critically low.

The prospect of Chris Coleman’s men beating Northern Ireland on Saturday and making the quarter-finals in the first week of July will, however, have Marc Gunter getting seriously worried that his best man – brother Chris – and several friends will be missing his wedding in Mexico.

The big day is July 7 – the day after a potential Wales semi-final in Lyon.

Wales just getting out of the group means I will miss out on seeing old school friend Rob tie the knot with Kate in Pembrokeshire this Saturday.

And, even worse than being denied my presence, Rob is now having to scrabble around to find a projector to show the match after his nuptials to prevent guests deserting the speeches to cheer on the team.

Good luck Rob and Kate – hopefully Bale and the boys don’t put a dampener on your special day.

South Wales Argus: