Home
Travel StoriesLa France!
Miles And Mates Coming And Going
By Bogger
Monday Day Six
I awoke at my normal hour. 5am. I don’t think Ronan had much sleep, apparently he said me and Fatboy had been snoring. How rude. So Fatboy was to head for Dieppe and home, whilst myself and Ronan were back down to Bayeux to scoop up Nige and Jason and onto Brittany. We bade our farewells to our latest French friends and Fatboy, but we shall return!!
Ronan astride his CB1000, asked how fast the C125 would cruise at. Sixty is fine mate. The journey back to Bayeux was uneventful and I was soon introducing Nige and Jason to Ronan.
Bayeux to Malestroit is 160 miles. Not too far, even on a fully loaded 125. We set off at 11.00am and again take the faster Peage. We have a couple of stops in the Aires on the way and basically we're getting our heads around part two of our trip. My only real concern was would the lads enjoy the ‘organised’ itinerary (with my input) and not feel pressured into going to places they didn’t really want to? Previous to the trip I’d bought them up to speed with what we’d planned and they were more than happy to go along with it. We’ll see!
On the way to Malestroit we skirt Rennes and are soon off the Peage and down the beautiful country roads of Brittany to Malestroit. Our campsite for the next few days is right on the river L’oust and a two minute stroll to the village. Ronan stays with us whilst we unpack and set up our tents, chatting and getting to know Jason and Nigel.
Our new home in Malestroit.
Of course you are all invited to our home tonight for a meal and drinks. How nice of you to invite us. Are you really sure? It is not negotiable. Seven thirty it is then.
Ronan and his family are lovely people and we enjoyed a delicious meal washed down with very strong beer. Ronan said that the beer was his ‘Peche Mignon’, excuse the spelling. The rough translation means ‘my favourite’. We could see why. The conversation flowed freely and my worries about everybody ‘getting on’ melted away. A very enjoyable evening was had by all. I think we were in the tents for 12.00am. I had a dreadful night's sleep. I just couldn’t get comfy.
Advertise here - contact ren@bikesandtravels.com
La France Day 1
Bogger provides an acceptable excuse for going to France but the first day of this adventure sees them in Dorking. Dorking is not in France but it does have the best beer garden ever. Apparently.
The Ferry and France
There's a ferry then there's some getting lost then there's some drinking. It seems there's an ongoing theme to this tale that involves alcohol. This time beautiful Bayeux hosts the liver apocalypse.
Normandy Beaches And Booze
Bogger and his entourage might have been to the D-Day beaches before but there's still more to see and do. They might have been tipsy before too but that won't stop them joining the locals for a round or 6.
Dead Man's Corner (And Less Beer)
Bogger and the crew take in a WW2 museum but have to curtail the rest of the day due to unforeseen circumstances. Not to worry, there will surely be more alcohol to soften the blow.
Friends With Food
The group temporarily fragments while Bogger and Fatboy visit Bogger's French friend. Food abounds all around and of course there's a beer or two to wash it all down.
Miles And Mates Coming And Going
There's people leaving, people joining, lots of riding and well wouldn't you know it - some beer! There's a crew change and a location change for Bogger today.
Cars, Motorcycles, Engines, Nap Time And More Beer
Bogger and pals (both French and English) take in the splendours of an automobile museum. There's a lot of lovely cars, a few motorcycles and one napping Bogger on display for all to see.
More Of Everything That Bogger Enjoys
Guess what? Bogger's et al are riding motorcycles, visiting museums, eating, and drinking all of Brittany's fabulous hospitality. Poor Bogger, it's a hard life.
Bogger's Brilliant Day Out
As Bogger's trip draws to a close there's still an awful lot to do, an awful lot of fun to be had, then throw in some delightful motorcycles and Bogger's a happy chappy.
Emotional Endings And Homeward Heartache
It's the end of Bogger's Brittany experience and it appears he's rather enjoyed this sojourn. Alas and alack it's back to reality though, all good things must come to an end.
Reader's Comments
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I think Bogger and Co may have been to that campsite before Ed, they ain't half tucked them away from other paying masochists/campers.
Upt'North.
07/10/2022 15:48:21 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Just had a look at that campsite and it looks very nice. Maybe for next year's trip to France? The link is below.
https://www.campingmalestroit.com/...
07/10/2022 16:46:29 UTC
Bogger said :-
Upt, you've got us all wrong. were really nice, calm (well,calmish) chilled people. Everyone was happy to see us..ish.
When we arrived at Ronans house for the meal that evening (we'd even washed), he offered us his best and I have to say most expensive beer. 'Ahh, lovely, Bonjour. No that's not right is it. Aha Merci (phew).
As Nige puts the bottle to his lips, there is a loud Gallic NON, NON, Nigel. Nige freezes like a rabbit in the headlights. He's got that WTF did I do wrong look on his guilty face and his eyes are flicking left to right.
Non Nigel, at the dinner table we drink from glasses, not the bottle. That's the entente cordial up the swanny then LOL.
What's that saying, you can take the lad out of Wales but.....
Me and Jason laughed like drains. We did have a great meal evening and the conversation flowed freely. Ronan and his family did struggle at times with the Welsh lilt.
On my first visit to Malestroit I fell in love with the place and the surrounding area. It's well worth a visit
Bogger
07/10/2022 19:39:44 UTC
Bogger said :-
Just an explanation ref French pronunciation. Take the name Ronan. We'd pronounce like Ronan as in Ronan Keating. Simple?
The French pronounce it Grrarnonne with the French (obviously) nasal 'on' sound at the end. In other words completely and uttuerly different to us.
Just saying like.
Bogger
07/10/2022 19:46:12 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Bogger,
It's a fact, the French can't pronounce any blummin proper words....try em on Guinness. It's hilarious.
It doesn't get any better in French Irish Bars either.
07/10/2022 23:22:11 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I kid you not here. When I speak my high-school French in France I always put on a thick "'Allo 'Allo" French accent. I have always been complimented on my accent by the French. In fact they think I'm French and come back at me with a torrent of words that I have zero understanding off then I have to explain "Je suis Anglais!" ("Sher sweess on-glaze").
Of course there's some miserable sods in France as there is in any other country and culture but generally I find the French to be quite amicable. I just can't understand why they all drive on the wrong side of the road though. It's so bad they've thrown in the towel and put the steering wheel on the wrong side too. I noticed the Germans, Spanish and even the Dutch have done the same. Damnably inconsiderate I tell ya.
I saw on one of the deeply dark and sinister "Scandi-noir" murder mysteries that even the Danish and Swedes drive on the wrong side too. Henrik, tell me it isn't so!
08/10/2022 09:36:03 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
As anyone else got a mental picture of Ed walking and talking like the Allo Allo Polecemon.
It's not good. I need mental dettol, Glenlivet will probably work.
Upt'North.
08/10/2022 19:09:24 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Talking of bottles and glasses - I've never understood this fashion for drinking beer out of bottles. What can be better than a carefully poured glass witha lovely head? Drink it out of the bottle and it gets all frothy and horrible.
Aficionados of Newcastle's finest know that it is best drunk from a schooner regularly topped up to maintain that head.....
09/10/2022 10:56:52 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
It's fashion Ian, and whilst not wishing to judge, I'm pretty sure it'll be lost on us.
Upt'North.
09/10/2022 12:52:22 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Urgh, Newcastle Brown Ale. I still have nightmares about drinking that stuff. I mean it tastes like tar and is a heavy as lead on the stomach. Also when you drink 8 bottles of it - mixed with vodka because you are young and stupid - it tastes even worse coming back up. This is the reason I am now teetotal.
Upt' - I'll hoov yoo noo mi Fronch is peerfict. I om almoost kneetave.
10/10/2022 15:25:33 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Mange Tout, Mange Tout Ed, I shall say no more about it mon short ami. You've have obviously got it cracked.
Au revoir and not goodbye.
Upt'North.
10/10/2022 16:27:23 UTC
Name
Comment
Add a RELEVANT link (not required)
Upload an image (not required) -
Uploading...
Home
Travel StoriesLa France!