Sussex Balloon Fiesta

The Sussex Balloon Fiesta is coming up, running from Sept. 8th to Sept. 10th, with a car show on Sunday the 10th.  The photo on the car show page of the balloon fiesta website shows many LBCs and other cars at a previous event.
https://atlanticballoonfiesta.squarespace.com/car-show-shine/
Perhaps there might be some interest in attending the event on the 10th.
https://atlanticballoonfiesta.squarespace.com/schedule/

(Suggested by Phil O.)

If you missed the tall ships in Saint John...

...check out Sail Amsterdam! (Click on the photo to go to original post.)

Saint John Tall Ships Tour

     While only five cars ventured to Saint John to take in the Tall Ships we were all rewarded with a wonderful day. The weather in my view was absolutely perfect for viewing the ships. Yes there was a bit of cloud and yes there was a bit of fog but the sea breeze and smell of the salt air was the perfect back drop for viewing the ships. The ships, all 11, from Brigantines to large schooners were all a delight to see. Just seeing all the rigging and sails on all these ships attests to the complexity of these amazing wind driven vessels and to the competent men and women who crew them. David R. a sailor himself would be better suited to describe the types of ships and their lines than the landlubber I am.

      After touring the ships we headed to Steamers Co. restaurant conveniently located just across the street from the displayed ships. I can only speak for myself but my Fish/Chip dinner was delicious.

      We all went our separate ways after lunch but Barb and I returned later to watch the full parade of tall ships as they exited the harbour. A truly beautiful site to see these masters of the seas parade through the harbour just as the sun was breaking through the fog highlighting the hulls and masts of these ships. This all happening as the harbour fire fighting ship pumped water hundreds of feet into the air making all of this a truly spectacular sight. The end of a perfect day!

   Gary

Photos by Stephen W.

Click on any photo for larger view.

Another FABAC breakfast coming up at the Coffee Mill, Aug. 22nd at 9:00AM

EXCEPTIONAL 1974 MGB FOR SALE

Please see the "FABAC Automobile Ads" in the classified section in the column to the right for details. Additional pictures, also further details of the car's restoration and service record and test drive availability in Fredericton are available upon request from jmbowles@nb.sympatico.ca.

Once again, the E-Type comes out on top.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/enthusiasts/revealed-the-worlds-most-beautiful-cars/ss-AAppoCX?li=BBnb7Kz&fullscreen=true#image=101
A smug Bob E.

Saint John Tall Ships Tour Update

 Barb and I will be going to Saint John tomorrow, Sunday Aug 20, to take in the Tall Ships Festival. On board ship tours end at 1:30. For more details please refer to their site at:

               http://saintjohnfestivalofsail.com/

 For lunch, I propose we try the Steamers Co. restaurant near the event if it is not too busy. Parking could be an issue so we may end up in the Market Square parking lot.

Should you wish to join us we will be leaving the Irving Blue Canoe near Oromocto promptly at 9am. Where we will be staying overnight to visit family you will have to find your way home at the end of the event.

 Please advise if you are going by this evening latest.

Oh yes, while the weather should be ok bring umbrella's just in case.

Thanks

  Gary

Not even Kelvin's Land Rover can match this!!!

https://youtu.be/nq2jY1trxqg
(Submitted by Herb W.)

Stanley Fair Update

It continues to rain and is forecasted to rain for the morning so we will not be going to Stanley.

Gary

Click on anyone for a larger view.

Here is a collage from yesterday's party at the La Roche's party.

Dave and Pat

Stanley Fair Update—August 19

      Please join those of us going to the annual Stanley Fair that we have been attending for the past three years. We've always had a good time experiencing many rural sights and sounds while at the same time supporting a great community event.

     We'll meet at the Brookside Mall and depart at 9 AM.

Thanks
Gary

A question from new member Ryan

Hello everyone,
I'm just starting to get into this project I got a little while ago and I have a question.

I purchased a 1965 MGB and I'm getting into some wiring. The car is currently set up for a positive ground and I was going to order a retro sound radio(negative ground) for it to make it look cleaner then the one the previous owner installed(doesn't work).

Now has anybody switched their positive ground car to a negative or has anybody bought a voltage inverter if so which company did you go with?

Thanks,
Ryan

Click on the gang to see more photos from Bob E.

*Slap*..."Ouch!...darn!"......*Slap*
    "Bob, did you know you have a real nasty crop of deer flies?"
   "If you think they're bad, wait until the hornets smell the food!"
  
      Ten cars wandered down a great twisty road under perfect skies towards Rita-n-Bob's place on the lake.  Rain had been forecast (it always is) but never appeared.  Crisp blue skies followed us the entire day.
      The cottage visit/meeting/pot luck lunch was a hit.   We mostly lazed around, around the picnic tables and chatted away the afternoon.  This is not to say that BIG events didn't take place.  John B. announced that he was selling the 'B' and looking for something more comfortable, and easier to get in & out of (a place many of us are also thinking about).  He then asked someone to take it to the garage for it's yearly inspection.  This caused a huge fight with Dan eventually beating out all comers.   Unbeknownst to the gathering, Dan wound up buying the B (yes you read it right) while he and John discussed details. John now has money burning a hole in his pocket and will entertain suggestions for something practical with sporting aspirations.
      Bob offered folks a ride on his evil death machine (an ATV) but was turned down by all.  Sorry Bob, the boat was more fun (and safer).
      Gary regaled the gang with stories of his battle with the evil radiator hose, followed by some off-colour jokes from Herb, exchanged in private of course.   At this point a meeting broke out.

• Gary thanked Rita & Bob for opening their cottage to the demolition crew, and for the food.  The sesame chicken and chili on their own where easily worth the drive. 
• All were urged to partake of the Stanley Fair this Saturday.  Meet at the Brookside Mall at 9:00 AM on the 19th. 
• Gary offered to lead a group to Saint John to visit the tall ships on Sunday the 20th—that's this Sunday.  Meet him at the Blue Canoe near Oromocto at 9:00 AM. 
• Gary then dropped to his knees and sobbing, begged for more runs. 
• In response, John B (possibly still euphoric after the quick and painless sale of his much loved B) offered to arrange the Thanksgiving run to the Kingston Peninsula. 
• Robert then offered a 'present' to anyone in attendance but met zero takers, mostly because we had no idea what he was offering. Dan finally took the bait and was presented with a vintage creeper. 
• The September meeting will be held at 'Mokos' at the Lodge in the Mactaquac Park.  Details will follow.

    The rest of the afternoon was uneventful and pleasant with folks slowly drifting off into the sunset—er, dusty road.
     Thanks again to Rita & Bob for another excellent day on the lake.
  Bob E.

Click on this photo for pictures from Stephen W.

Touring Cape Breton Island in our MGB

1,174 miles in our red MGB to and from the Cabot Trail on a Tour of Cape Breton Island. Fantastic summer weather, great views. super places to eat and stay, all along with 28 friendly members of the British Automobile Touring Association of Nova Scotia (BATANS). What a treat!

Our (Shirley Ann and John) adventure started out in company with Larry, Sandi, Bob and Diana overnighting in Saint John for the ferry to Digby and onto Windsor for the British Motoring Festival. Held in the treed (and trendy) venue of the Kings Edgehill School grounds, the Festival featured unique highlights such as the Windsor Town Crier announcing the Festival's opening, English cream teas, a cricket match, a 3/4 scale model of a Spitfire fighter, and FABAC's display of vehicles from Kelvin's pink Land Rover to six FABACian's cars all in red.

The day following the Festival, tour participants headed for Port Hawksbury overnighting at the Maritime Inn, Then in groups of five, cars headed for Cheticamp, with a stop at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre and a lunch stop at the Glenora Distillery. People who visited the "whisky sampling centre", found the aroma from the mash close enough to oblivion! From Cheticamp (and dinner at the famous Le Gabriel restaurant) the tour route followed the Cabot Trail with its magnificent views, rolling roads  -  and major road construction every few kilometres complete with many traffic delays and dust, dust, dust.

A lunch stop at the expansive Keltic Lodge Resort was a welcome relief from the road problems encountered. Surprising what a beer, soup and sandwiches can do to revive the spirit!. We overnighted that third day in Sydney  staying at the Cambridge Suites Hotel. In the evening, tour participants were hosted for a barbeque by the British Car Club of Cape Breton at the Dobson Yacht Club. About a dozen of their club members shared in the pleasure from everyone's common interest in British cars.

We stayed in Sydney for a second night to enable participants to visit the Fortress of Louisbourg, the Sydney Mines Museum, the Marconi National Historic Site or a scenic drive around Big Pond.. We chose none of these attractions, having seen them in previous years..
However, we did join the group in attending the Beggar's Banquet in the Town of Louisbourg which replicates the food, music and other entertainment of life in Louisbourg in 1760. This included dressing up in costume!

The following day it was off to stay at the Silver Dart Lodge in Baddeck with optional visits to the Alexander Bell Historic Site , the Kidston Island Lighthouse and Big Spruce Brewing, a Nova Scotia craft beer success. By the next day, it was time to head for home. We stopped off in Sackville at the Coastal Inn to break the ongoing trip to Fredericton.

The MGB covered the 1,174 miles or 1,890 klicks without missing a beat. What a treat!

Pictures to follow.

John and Shirley Ann B.

Wings & Wheels photos as promised by David R.

And it looks like Jerry Wilcox was there with his massive engine project:

Wings & Wheels report

Well, I'm stupid and other FABACians are smart. I believed the weatherman when he/she/it forecast high probability of showers in both Fredericton and Houlton, so I didn't go—and I really wanted to.  :-(
- David N.

Here is David R's report on the day:
Great day! Joe (our leader) & son Dan, soon to be living in St. George, NB with the RCMP, Gary, John Crumley, Margot & I did the drive. Pics to follow. Weather was perfect for being outside all day—cool and overcast—good top down weather. Who knew??

Houlton International Wings & Wheels ***UPDATED***

LATEST UPDATE: Yes, the weather sucks, but Joe is going to go to the rendezvous point and get a consensus from any who appear there as to whether or not to head on.

UPDATE:  Joe is going to lead this tour, so if you plan to attend, you should meet at the Riverside Resort and Conference Centre at Mactaquac by 9:00am on Saturday. Check here before heading out if weather sucks.

It was a wonderful day for a drive today(Tuesday) in the B and we ended up in Houlton. Came across this posted for the Houlton International Wings & Wheels on August 12th, 7:00AM to 4:00PM with a number of things happening throughout the day.
- Phil

FABAC meeting/eating at Rita & Bob's Wednesday, Aug. 16th

This month we will be meeting at the cottage of Bob and Rita at Grand Lake. Hopefully this year the rain clouds will pass us by.

Please meet Bob at McGowan's Corner on the old TCH, it's just past Casey's Restaurant. 

Let's meet there for 2 pm and we then follow HWY 690 to Nichols Beach road which is about 2.5km past the Rotary Camp.

Bob is looking after the Beer, and Rita will have a Chile Beef Stew, Peanut Ginger Chicken and Orange Chicken. Bring whatever you would like to eat.

There will be one skill competition and the prize relates to 4-wheels. Every Man Cave or Garage should have one.

Hope to see you next Wednesday, August 16.

Rita and Bob

Many hands make light work.

     Today saw a fun outing for the FABACTRS&PC.  While the task was simple, it presented the opportunity  to make it waaay more complicated than necessary. So we didn't.  A couple of plans were discussed with one quickly implemented. A couple of minutes (and one metre) into the operation when we'd realized that we'd grossly misjudged the potential kinetic energy of a Land Rover (even a rusty one) descending a ramp from even a modest height, the plan was hastily modified with a come-along tying the front of the vehicle to the trailer.  The Land Rover descending slowly (and safely) into the garage to rest in front of the Mini. After exchanging hearty handshakes and congratulatory backslaps, we languished over tea in the house.
    FABACTRS&PC events are the most fun a group of gentlemen can have while remaining withing the bounds of community standards.  Don't miss the next one.  Ralph still needs some stuff moved from the church.  Are ya ready yet Ralph?
   Bob E.

Request from Kelvin

"Could you please put a request for assistance for Thursday morning, say around 10am, to unload the Landy from the trailer and put it in the garage. Should only take about an hour if all goes well !!!!"
Thanks.          
Kelvin

FABAC breakfasts switching to TUESDAYS

Phil has organized breakfasts upstairs at the Coffee Mill for the following Tuesdays around 9:00. Why not join in on a few.
 August 8th, August 22nd, September 5th and September 19th

Stanley Fair Update

Hello Folks

The Stanley Fair is fast approaching—Saturday, August 19. The Fair committee requested that we arrive around 10:00. They would also like to know how many cars to expect. Therefore, please let me know if you are able to make it, either by responding on the website, calling me 367-2443, or emailing me Heinlein@unb.ca. 

 Thanks. Hope to see you at the Fair. 

 Cheers, 

Larry H.