Home
Travel StoriesLa France!
Emotional Endings And Homeward Heartache
By Bogger
Friday Day 10 (and more)
We were up early and packed away for 9.00am, then we rode to Ronan's to say our goodbyes. I do admit I had a bit of a lump in my throat and the wind was making my eyes water a little. We all agreed that in the not too distant future we would all meet up again. All too soon we were heading back in the direction of Rennes and Normandy.
The ferry was the next day at 11.00am so our lodgings for this evening were back in Epretot at Ronan's sister's place. Gluttons for punishment or what... errrr them, not us.
It was hot on the way back and at one fuel stop I did my normal trick of having forty winks. From Pont-L’eveque I led and missed the turn off on the Peage for Epretot, Doh.
We finally arrived in Epretot to find the house deserted. They’ve had second thoughts and done a runner! Ooh err. I tried the front door and it was open. I gave a very loud knock and shortly Ronan's nephew answered the door. Ronan had mentioned that his sister and her husband were off to the theatre that evening. We had our last night in France eating baguette, camembert and drinking red wine. You know what, we is practically French we is.
The last day was the normal slog home, along with remembering all the good times we’d had and the thoughts of work on Monday. Welcome back to reality. My total miles for the trip was 1,790mls mostly at fifty to sixty five miles an hour. There was the odd seventy four mile an hour spurt by a certain French test pilot. I kept all my fuel receipts and the bike averaged 142.8 mpg. I thought that was pretty amazing.
We might make Croatia next time. There again, the area of Brittany we visited was stunning, so who knows?
Bogger.
Sponsor Bikes And Travels - 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
Ross said :-
Thanks Bogger, another interesting trip write up, I enjoyed it!
30/12/2022 16:07:09 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I must admit, I can't help but be tempted to have a look around that there Brittany area. My only worry is accidentally being there while Bogger is.
30/12/2022 20:04:28 UTC
Bogger said :-
Thanks Ross. Charming Ren, charming.
I'll go with you Ren and introduce you to the local hostelries and populace. You can join in on our drinking games with the hip youngsters.
Bogger
30/12/2022 20:46:23 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Sounds like a spiffing trip Bogger, and Normandy sounds great. I've been all over France but only once to Brittany and that was about 40 years ago. I must admit that the area north of the Loire has always seemed to me an obstacle to negotiate before getting somewhere more interesting but I'm warming to it especially as it's so much quicker to get to than the Cevennes, Pyrenees, Alps and Provence - all of which I love.
31/12/2022 10:16:09 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I meant Brittany sounds great of course. Freudian slip?
31/12/2022 13:36:08 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Bogger, glad you got back safe and not tooooooooo Francophiled. You've got it out of your system now, so off to Croatia for you all.
Upt'North.
01/01/2023 13:41:38 UTC
Rev. Mick! said :-
Dear Bogger,
Love your trips. I look forward to reading each part.
CUBS RULE.
02/01/2023 01:21:26 UTC
Bogger said :-
Merci Beaucoup Upt'Nord et rev Michel.
Au Revoir mes ami
02/01/2023 20:37:15 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
oh mon seigneur il est devenu natif.
Upt'Nord.
02/01/2023 23:19:06 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Oh the power of Google Translate.
03/01/2023 17:10:51 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
We're currently on the camp site at Malestroit mentioned in Bogger's odyssey - sadly not on bike(s). It's excellent and I would recommend it to anyone. It's a huge change from a week we spent on a highly recommended site near Robin Hood's Bay earlier in they year where everyone was packed in like sardines and it cost £30 a night - double what we're paying here.
The town itself is gorgsous with a great weekly market, plenty of eating, artisan butchers and boulangeries as well as enticing cafes to while away the hours. The area is also excellent with lots of great motorcycling roads (he said enviously) and pretty little towns & villages.
So I owe Bogger a pint if I ever meet him!
20/06/2023 14:11:03 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Awwww, that's pretty cool! Sharon and I also have plans to head in that direction but due to a foolhardy decision to engage in gainful employment once more... those plans are scuppered for this year at least. I want a job that runs from 1200 to 1300 with an hour for lunch and unlimited holidays. Any offers?
21/06/2023 07:57:33 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Just a further note - last night (summer solstice) there was a musical fete in the town. Everything from AC/DC tribute bands to string quartets via Breton sea shanties and Celtic folk-rock, set up in various corners around the central square. All free*, although the bars and restaurants were doing a roaring trade - to which we added our modest contribution. If you were heading this way it would be something to try for, as it seems to be an annual event.
In fact there are loads of events of all sorts around the area - we're off to a festival of the canal just down the road tomorrow. Sadly much is happening after the start of July when we'll be back home and I will be getting stuck in to the Tri-Greeves.
*Imagine that in the UK!
22/06/2023 09:52:33 UTC
Bogger said :-
See, see. I said it was nice. Glad you enjoyed it.
Bogger
22/06/2023 20:07:20 UTC
Bogger said :-
Did you go to the Resistance museum?
Bogger
22/06/2023 20:29:40 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
No, I'm afraid i find these things a bit too upsetting. I remember once being brought to tears by a war memorial in (I think) Stow on the Wold where there were whole families listed as missing - fathers and brothers. Which doesn't mean I'm not appreciative of the heroic achievements of the Maquis.
As it happens, my wife's family was very involved in the Greek resistance and subsequent civil war (all on the left wing side) - her father was shot by a quasi-military policeman when she was 2 years old. So I've heard many tales of what went on there.
23/06/2023 10:55:02 UTC
Rev. Mick! said :-
Mount Grammos.
23/06/2023 11:19:23 UTC
Name
Comment
Add a RELEVANT link (not required)
Upload an image (not required) -
Uploading...
Home
Travel StoriesLa France!