Run to St. Andrews

Click on big blue to see more photos from the trip.

     "Oh great!  Another redneck on a tractor blocking the road."  This particular one turned out to be a fellow FABACian and his presence couldn't have been better timed, however I'm getting ahead of myself.
    Three cars met at the Timmies and while a couple more dropped by to see us off, it was a determined four who braved the incessant rain (Dwight had brought along a potential member).    It rained most of the way out the Hanwell but slowed to a fine mist by the time we where on highway 3.  Dwight led at a brisk pace and the roads where deserted and got dryer as we motored on.  It was an enjoyable drive for the most part.
    Once in St Andrews we parked and wandered to the restaurant where I badgered everyone into sitting outside on the patio.  This turned out to be an excellent idea as it warmed up and the fog lifted while we wiled away a couple of hours over lunch and coffee.  We where pleasantly surprised by Joanna Pendral butting in and joining the group.  It seems she was there for a meeting of some sort and invited us all to stop at her place on the way home to inspect their 'big trench' in the back yard.
    With lunch out of the way, Dwight led us to the Huntsman Marine Science Centre just outside of town. This was quite enjoyable and even a bit educational.  It's a modest facility but well laid out with unique displays that invite visitors to get wet and handle some of the animals.
     It had now warmed up a good bit and one of us put our top down to enjoy the drive home over the now dry roads.  We did seem to run into a few old poops dawdling along thirty K's under the speed limit which tested our patience a couple of times.  After what seemed like only a short drive later we found ourselves on the close side of Harvey looking for number 670...or was that 760?  In a stroke of perfect timing, some yahoo on a tractor pulled out in front of us, blocked the road and directed us into a driveway.  I was relieved that it turned out to be Bruce Pendral.  We where offered the chance to inspect their all-mighty excavation of a trench in the (very muddy) back 40 but decided to stay on dry ground.  The grand tour of the new heat exchanger, it's associated plumbing and excavations plus the recent house renovations was followed by pie and tea in the 'great' room.  There, Joanna and Bruce, knee deep in nick-nacks tried to foist some of them on us in an attempt to get some clearing done gratis.  I very much appreciated the Chinese book mark (which is now stuck in an anthropology book) and will be looking forward to any yard sale they care to have.
   The outing gracefully ended as we split off towards our respective homes under warm skies.
   A big thanks to Dwight for arranging a memorable outing. 
  ...and Bill, if you need help with your TR6 please call Dwight and have him arrange a visit by the FABAC traveling road show & pit crew.  We'll get her roadworthy in short order.
   Bob E.