Mothers Day Run Report by Bob E.

Click on photo for a larger view of Bob and his Citroen

     Ten whole cars assembled at the Exhibition Grounds parking lot under sunny skies (for once!) as the temperature continued to climb through the teens.  Kelvin arrived in his spanking new Mini to take part and give his car it's first real run since buying it.  We all took turns sitting in it and grinning like kids.  You just can't sit in a Mini and not smile.

Click on photo for a larger view of Dwight and his MGB

     Not wanting to waste away the day hanging around a parking lot, John called us to some semblance of order and we headed off south.  We took highway 7 towards Welsford which I found a bit boring since I don't really like droning along highways.  After a bit we left the clear skies that where gracing Fredericton and the temperature became less pleasant.  A few folks who had conflicting commitments left the group as we motored along and the six remaining cars continued south.  I amused myself by zooming up alongside other cars in passing lanes and taking their pictures. We soon arrived at Welsford and stopped in the general store to let some stragglers catch us up and have a pee break. Bladders emptied, we continued, now along the secondary 101 which I found to be a welcome change.  John had somehow managed to find a great little road through interesting countryside that was in reasonable condition. It wasn't long before we regained the sunny skies and John's plan became obvious.  The highway had gotten us down to the good road quickly so that we could take our time on the fun road getting back to Fredericton. It was also a perfect way for the cars to blow out some winter carbon.  I'd never been on this road before and enjoyed the new scenery.

Click on photo for a larger view of  the Alders and BLUJAY8

     We stopped at a little diner in Fredericton Junction for coffee and pie.  The temperature had continued to climb and most of us had shed our jackets by now.  This was now the last leg of the outing but was probably the nicest.  The road, not too bad to start with, had improved considerably and was smooth as a ribbon.  We meandered past some low areas and got a good taste of how far the flood waters had gone inland from the river.
     Everyone had a fine time on our second run of the season and Kelvin, despite some misgivings, was pleasantly surprised to find that his new Mini worked well on it's shakedown cruise.  Thanks to John B. for leading us on a fine outing.
   Bob E.

ADDENDUM from John B—Tour Leader:
     Nine intrepid FABACians (Jim and Ellie B, MGB; David and Carolyn N, Triumph TR6;  Kelvin P, Mini 1000; Bob E, Jaguar E-type; Bob L, Citroen 2CV; John and Shirley Ann B, MGB) left the Fredericton Exhibition Grounds for the 2011 Mothers Day Run. They were seen off by Gary and Barb (Triumph TR6), Curry and Sherry A. (Austin-Healey 3000), Stephen W. (Caddy), Jim and Shirley McE. (BMW) and Dwight B. (MGB) who were unable to make the drive due to family responsibilities.
      In beautiful sunshine, the group drove down H’way 7 to Welsford taking advantage of the high speed limit to blow off the cobwebs from cars kept too long in winter storage. At H’way 101, the group returned to Fredericton along the twisty road and escarpment of Hoyt and its covered bridges and the railroad tracks of Fredericton Junction. The Sunbury Diner at the Junction proved a pleasant stop for refreshments and some picture taking. All in all a pleasant three-hour Mother’s Day Run.

Photos at the gathering spot by Stephen W. 
Photos on the move by Bob E.
Photos outside the Sunbury Diner by Ellie B.