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A Day Of Classic And Vintage Vehicles
Ride Date 23 Sep 2025
By Bogger
Day 8 Tuesday
Thankfully I awoke at a decent hour, 8.00am. Rosa had already left for school and breakfast was served. More guilt, but I’m getting used to it.
The weather is good so we are on the bikes for our jaunt out today. Ronan explains that we are to go to Franck's house first to see his bikes. Then we'll all ride over to Brient's house to look at his bikes. Then onto the classic cars. Basically it was to be like a a top trumps mini tour. Each place we were to visit just got better and better. How many miles today Ronan? About one hundred, give or take.
We set of for Franck place near to Pleucadeuc at just gone 9.00am. We’re there in no time as it’s only five miles from Malestroit. We take a look at Franck's bikes and he wheels out his BMW for today's ride. Of course Franck's house is massive with two acres of land at the side of it. Grrr, not jealous at all! He even had a pet sheep. The sheep eyed Pete suspiciously - Welsh you see boyo.
The four of us set off down the back roads for the village of Caden and Brient's place. Again this is not a big distance, just twelve miles. We're soon there and looking at all his bikes which are lined up outside. Brient is an ex club racer and he does like his Ducatis. In fact it was a Pantah 450 that he chose for his ride with us today. After we’ve had a look at all of his bikes we set off once again.
Dreffiac is the next port of call. Well I thought it was, but in fact we called in at the Folleux marina on the river Villaine. Brient needed to check something on his boat.
We set off for Dreffiac again at what I would describe as club racer speeds. We didn’t hang about. Ducati Pantah 450? I just love the smell of un-burnt hydrocarbons on a sunny French morning. Most of the route was following the Villaine River through the villages of Rieux, the cobbled streets of Rochefore en Terre. Through Theillac and Gidas des Bois and onto Dreffiac.
Where, we somehow managed to get split up. As we’re waiting for Brient and Franck to turn up, a pristine Citroen Avant sails past, with the occupants waving at us? We’re soon back together and just after just a couple of miles we’re pulling into Dennis’s place. Dennis is the father of Ronan's best mate.
On Dennis’s drive sits the Traction Avante that passed us a few minutes earlier. Also present were two mint Peugeots from the 1940’s and 1950’s. A Peugeot 101 and a Peugeot 203. There was also an Alpha Spider Veloce, obviously this was also mint.
Introductions and kisses all round and then we had a really good chat about the cars. Dennis and his wife were really nice people. Dennis used to own the garage next door and the front garden of his house used to be the petrol forecourt. The petrol pump ‘islands’ were still present. After an hour it was time to depart for our next classic car overload.
However we’re not going on the bikes, we’re going in the Traction Avant and the Peugeot 203. What a treat. Ronan where are we off to now? Ronan explains that we are off to Bernard Chaillan's place just five miles down the road. Apparently, Ronan when he was a kid used to cut Bernard's grass for him. But he was never allowed to look at Bernard's car collection?? In fact he has never seen it. This will also be his first time.
Bernard is waiting for us when we arrive. A bit more kissing goes on and we are shown to the side of the house to look at his 1936 Renault residing under a car port. Sitting next to it is a Porsche Boxter. Ronan explains that the Boxter is just used to fetch the bread from the Boulangerie each morning. Come to think of it that’s exactly what I use mine for. Harumph.
We then walk past his massive house and outdoor heated swimming pool to a large barn. Inside is a Ford manufactured Willys jeep, of 1944 vintage. It is documented to have taken part in D-Day. Next to the Jeep was a Citroen 2CV and a Citroen Dyanne. All three vehicles were immaculate. Looking around the barn you could just tell Bernard was a perfectionist. There was a place for everything and everything was definitely in its place.
Righty ho, over to the next barn. We opened the door and there was the pet Donkey obviously and another mint 1936 vehicle a Citroen this time. There were a few motorbikes dotted around as well.
Time for the last garage. This was a more modern building with motorised roller shutter doors. Inside this garage was an Austin Healey 3000, a Triumph Spitfire, a BMW and two Porsche 911’s. Not standard 911’s, both were fully tricked up. We retired to the swimming pool and various conversations were going on. The French contingent were looking at their watches. Time for lunch!
Back into the cars and we’re all off to lunch at Relais de Beaulieu Resaurant at Pont Chateau. I think there were ten of us for lunch and very nice it was too. It was one of those Plat du Jour type restaurants with all types of cliental. Workers, business men and us lot. I was fearing my wallet would take a hammering. It was not to be, Ten Euros each, what a bargain.
I was starting to get knackered, where to now Ronan? Back to Dennis’s place, for coffee. After coffee we thanked them all, bade our farewells and kissed the same blokes as we had done earlier in the day. To be honest it had been quite a special, memorable day.
First place on the way back was Brient's place, where more coffee was consumed. Then, onto drop of Franck. The sheep was hiding at the far end of his field. Finally back into Malestroit for a rest? Well, actually no! We can rest when we’re dead apparently.
Paul is back from Hospital, minus his appendix. He’s actually walking round and has a smile on his face. I wasn’t expecting that. Ronan explains that Rosa is going to dance class tonight and we are going to the pub to wait for the class to finish. What! More beer, I suppose we’ll have make the effort and go. Under duress, off course.
The dance class is at Ploermel, twelve miles away. At 6.00 pm the four of us set off. Ronan, Rosa, me and Pete. After we’ve dropped Rosa off we drive to a modern industrial estate. Where’s the pub then Ronan? Basically the pub is a modern industrial unit that’s a pub, wholesale off licence and micro-brewery all in one. It was called Pub V and B.
They had some very nice beers on tap. The only trouble was, they closed at 8.00pm. How rude. Ronan collected Rosa and it was time to get back to Malestroit. Where another meal was cooked for us. To ease the mounting guilt, of which there was plenty, we didn’t just have Ronan's beer we started on his wine as well.
This was our last night in Malestroit. We’d crammed so much into one day it felt like we’d been there a week. Never mind, it’ll be an easy day for us tomorrow, just pack away and around lunch time head for Cherbourg. Yeah my arse.
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Feet Forward Prologue
Bogger is organising his next French escapade. It's the who, why, what, and where this time, oh and the how. The why never makes sense, nor should it.
Naughty Boys On Strange Bikes
It's a discouraging start to Bogger's Feet Forwards French expedition. Not to worry, soon the 2 old men are sneaking around like naughty school kids.
Queasy Crossing And Useless Till Roll
Rain, wayward boarding passes, useless navigation systems, and rough seas - it's just another day in the life of a Bogger. As ever there's food and booze in the life of a Bogger too.
Haulin' Ass
It's gonna be a long long long ride for Bogger and Pete today. Our brave heroic riders are up to the task and it all seems rather easy overall. Hopefully the digs at the end of the ride will allow their asses to rest comfortably.
Feet Forward, Food, And Friends
It's a much more relaxed day for Bogger and Pete. There's a handful of miles to ride, people to meet, food to eat, and of course the odd beer.
The Art Of Doing Something That Is Nothing
Bogger has many plans for the day, alas the temptation of food and beer is more alluring. It's a chill day but that's fine, I'm sure there's more chaos to come.
Much More Something That Is Nothing
Another lazy day for Bogger before some big miles tomorrow. Ice cream this time with no mention of beer but I'm sure some was involved.
Everyone Has Their Troubles
A long, cold and moist ride today for Bogger and Pete. Turns out their host isn't having the best of days either. Fear not there's still beer and smiles.
A Day Of Classic And Vintage Vehicles
A rest day for Bogger? Hardly. There's classic and vintage and fast motorcycles and cars. There's posh places and new friends. Food and booze too much as you'd expect.
Reader's Comments
Upt'North ¹ said :-
You see right there, that had the makings of a good day, but, pubs closing at 8 and hugging and kissing blokes. France is strange innit. It's all a bit French.
05/05/2026 09:30:41 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Although, I'm sort of envious, it sounds like a blummin good day....in a French sort of way of course. No kissing for me though please. Pffffffftttttt.
05/05/2026 09:32:23 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Sounds like a brilliant day. Those relais places are great - supposedly set up for lorry drivers but everyone uses them. I'm always slightly amused that a half litre of red wine appears on the tables although maybe not as often these days. That Commando looks brilliant, and I love Traction Avants. Ducatis? Don't do a lot for me.
05/05/2026 09:56:38 UTC
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