The Petrol Can Story—from the Earl of Burton

      A story?...of course there's a story.  It's difficult to say where it started since it's more a chain of events...or lack of events; the event where a driver decides to pull into a gas station and fill his tank.  For whatever reason, this event was postponed with embarrassing consequences.
     The main story started at our regular rendezvous at the Timmies by the Exhibition grounds.  The rain had actually stopped for a few days encouraging everyone to make their cars all clean and shiny.
A whole bunch of folks showed up and Gary, on a tight schedule, hurriedly introduced some new folks then herded us off on time (for once).
     The drive out was almost uneventful save for Kelvin who joined us enroute then un-joined us soon after.  A few of us saw him pull off by Mactaquack and assumed he was having mechanical problems again.  We continued out and stopped only for a moment in Harvey to gather another group who where waiting for us. 
     We arrived at the McAdam train station in short order and were quickly whisked inside to dinner.
Much to our surprise, Kelvin arrived shortly, saying that he'd gotten slowed down by several trucks and decided to take an alternate route.
      The station has been slowly undergoing a massive (and expensive) restoration and we dined in the elegant main dining area.  Our host entertained us with some historical anecdotes and after eating most of us took the tour through the station.  Much of the upstairs is still unfinished and it's interesting to see the old building methods laid bare through the crumbling plaster and lath work. Most of us have been there before and the restoration progress is apparent.
     Although it was now getting on in the evening, the sun was still out and it was reasonably warm, promising a pleasant drive home. Most folks left on their own time as they finished wandering around the station.  The last three carloads chatted for a few minutes then headed out. Two of us only got a few metres as 'someones' car failed to start. The bonnet was raised and a lack of fuel was quickly diagnosed as the problem.  I gave 'someone' a lift to the nearby gas pumps where he purchased a few litres of gas and a shiny new jug. Naturally, everyone made sport of his dilemma as he filled his tank.  The LBC chugged a bit as the fuel was pumped through the lines then quickly fired up into full song.  Again, we waved at each other and with teeth clenched, negotiated the province's worst stretch of road as we left the town. 
     On the open road the promised nice weather held and dusk seemed to last for hours.  The normally boring upper Hanwell was lit by the setting sun and framed by a mixture of cloud formations that reflected the reds and yellows of the evening.
     We welcome Gail and Hurden Hooper and their MX5 FTLOOSE, and Larry Heinlein, who was traveling with Dwight.  Larry is looking for a TR3 so keep your eyes peeled for a car for him.
- Bob E.