The weekly gathering of specialty cars (informally called "Freddie Beach") is starting again on Thursday evenings. It takes place at the Legion parking lot just off Queen street. Folks normally show up around six or seven. It's a fun little low-key weekly event and a good excuse to go for a little drive afterwards for ice cream.
from a Forum note by Bob E.
A Beautiful Day for Mothers and Others
Here's a fine report on the tour by our talented resident author Johanna Bertin:Thanks to James Bleakney, he of the problematic PCV valve, we have identified an essential item to be added to our trusty “remedial kit” to be carried on all FABAC tours.
A little bit of background is required. We started the day in fine form, heading off from Tim Horton’s only a few minutes behind schedule. This was due in part to Johanna Bertin “absolutely having to finish the novel” she was reading. (When she was younger she could read in a moving car, but alas that ability has gone by the wayside.) So, novel finished and handed on to Margot Russell, we headed out.
As we crossed the Westmorland Street Bridge, we were momentarily taken aback. It seems that they were electing a pope in Nashwaaksis, or so it appeared by the plume of black smoke arising from the west. Uncertain as to whether black smoke meant that a pope had been chosen, or that the vote was defunct, we carried on. The stream of police cars coming our way with sirens on indicated that there was probably more amiss. Later we learned that vandals, hearing of our passage over the bridge had sought to provide entertainment for us.
We headed east to Gagetown and the Old Boot Pub where Bruce Pendrel was greeted with a great hug by a bountiful young woman. While other men looked on in awe and some jealousy, the women managed to order tea and seafood chowder. Replenished and warmed, for it was a chilly day, we carried on to another eating establishment in Queenstown. (Did I mention that we had eaten already at the Old Boot Pub?)
But the eating establishment whose name I know not, was full of people celebrating Mother’s Day. Surprisingly, seeing our lot, they didn’t ask everybody else to vacate the premises, but they didn’t and a sorry and hungry bunch we were. All except for Bob Earle that is. He was too busy using rolls of toilet paper to soak up the gasoline that was flooding his carburetor. The more he sopped up, the more there was, until there was this huge pile of rather disgusting yellow reeking toilet paper beside his car. Initially we stood guard, lest a Mother’s Day reveler chose to fling a cigarette butt, but as the pile of paper grew, we found ourselves standing further and further back until Bob and his car were a mere speck in the distance. We love our fellow FABACians, but are not prepared to be blown up for them.
So then it was onto the Evandale ferry. The Evandale Inn is for sale, and though I suggested that it would make a most nifty clubhouse for our lot, there were no takers. All of us fit onto the one ferry and we trundled across the water, clearly with one purpose in mind – to reach the Big Canoe for food. Did I mention that we had already eaten at the Old Boot Pub? Bruce Pendrel’s Sunbeam Alpine was making rude noises as he had put bigger tires on than would fit.
But then came the moment that this story is leading up to, in a long and roundabout way. We are at the Big Canoe. Well, that is, most of us are there – the Bertin Pendrels, the McKeown’s, Stephen Wheatly, and the Russels. But where were Jim and Ellie? We thought maybe they had snuck off for a romantic interlude, but no. It seems that Jim was having trouble. Not with Ellie. But with his car. He pulls into the parking lot, turns off the engine and announces “I’m dead.”
Well, he looked very much alive to us. But no, he declared again,”I am dead.”
There was something amiss with his PCV valve. It seems that the cap had taken an opportunity to do a bunk. Jim searched through his tool kit, all the time muttering on about his demise. But Jim hadn’t counted on the one sure fire thing in this group of aging boomers. It is not the frequent pit stops to which I refer, not is it the insatiable appetites. It is “intensive rehydrating cream”, known to some as “anti-wrinkle” cream. It seems that the cap off a Vichy’s Thermal Fix 2 is the perfect cap size for a PCV valve.
Mechanical challenges fixed, we carried on to the dining room and ate. You would think we had run a marathon rather than simply sat in cars considering the turkey and fish and chips that we managed to put away. It was noted that “even Stephen Wheatley” had pie. Fully satiated, we headed back to the cars for the trip home. Only two specks of rain had fallen on this happy group and it was a truly wonderful way to spend Mother’s Day.
Click on the BMW for pictures. Thanks to Ellie Bleakney and Margot Russell for the photographs.
The Annual Chowder Run - a great success - for some!!
Beautiful skies, nice temperatures, fabulous hosts, great food and wonderful friends–what could be better? Details on just how some members fared will appear here at a later date. For now, click on the photo of Ralph to see lots more. 
FABAC Meeting/Eating Report
We had 29 FABACians gather at Ringo's last evening for our dinner meeting. The food and service was fine so it looks like a possible repeat sometime.
We discussed the upcoming Homeport Chowder Run at Ralph and Karen Holyokes. Here is the plan for a group run from Fredericton.
Leave the new Tim Hortons - top of Hanwell Rd. - Sunday at 9:45 AM ( sharp ) - to Oromocto and down Route 7 to Welsford - rest stop at Irving S/S - then to 80 Douglas Ave. in old Saint John.
Our next meeting on the 16th of May will be held at Seasons Restaurant, 369 Lincoln Rd.
Bon Voyage to David and Carolyn, we will look forward to a complete trip account on your safe return from Japan.
Jim B.
We discussed the upcoming Homeport Chowder Run at Ralph and Karen Holyokes. Here is the plan for a group run from Fredericton.
Leave the new Tim Hortons - top of Hanwell Rd. - Sunday at 9:45 AM ( sharp ) - to Oromocto and down Route 7 to Welsford - rest stop at Irving S/S - then to 80 Douglas Ave. in old Saint John.
Our next meeting on the 16th of May will be held at Seasons Restaurant, 369 Lincoln Rd.
Bon Voyage to David and Carolyn, we will look forward to a complete trip account on your safe return from Japan.
Jim B.
Our Ceilidh at the Chef’s Manor; March 17, 2007
(Submitted by Al Thomas)
Even though we encountered a very wet evening, 30 members found their way to our gracious hosts: Terry and Sharon Pond. Doug and Nancy from the Saint John area even commented that instead of driving out of the fog they drove into it as they approached Fredericton!
We had only been there a short while, when Terry received a call from Dave Strang. Since the party atmosphere had already begun we understood that Dave was stuck at the bottom of the driveway. Several of us ventured down to offer assistance. As it turned out Dave was not stuck at all! He was lending a hand to an Ontario vehicle that had slid off the driveway leading to Terry’s house. The license plate read “K9 Care” and my first thought was a weary traveler looking for Terry’s Bed and Breakfast had slid off the road. After the rescue we found out this person was Kelvin Perry, our newest member.
As I was drying off I overheard the phone again. It was one of our members who unexpectedly would not be able to attend. I remember the conversation ending with the suggestion that the caller could still send his food item by taxi. ;-)
Terry and Sharon made room in their spacious kitchen to set up a fabulous potluck buffet. I do not believe that we even had one duplicate item.
After all the food and good conversation came the judging of the most “green items” worn by each member. Faith Sharpe had reached a perfect 10 (green items that is) when I simply had to step outside for air. She definitely won the contest, however I think everyone had stopped counting.
Initially I committed to writing a few paragraphs. Therefore I think I will end with the following little rhyme:
For some, the highlight of the evening was Faith’s green thong,
For others it was the fiddler fiddling a song.
Yet another admired the kettle boiling from red to blue,
And finally for one soul it was simply eating more Irish stew.
On behalf of everyone I want to thank Terry and Sharon for their generous hospitality at their beautiful Bed and Breakfast. This event will not be forgotten.
Kelvin, Bob, and our wonderful hosts Terry and Sharon.
Even though we encountered a very wet evening, 30 members found their way to our gracious hosts: Terry and Sharon Pond. Doug and Nancy from the Saint John area even commented that instead of driving out of the fog they drove into it as they approached Fredericton!
We had only been there a short while, when Terry received a call from Dave Strang. Since the party atmosphere had already begun we understood that Dave was stuck at the bottom of the driveway. Several of us ventured down to offer assistance. As it turned out Dave was not stuck at all! He was lending a hand to an Ontario vehicle that had slid off the driveway leading to Terry’s house. The license plate read “K9 Care” and my first thought was a weary traveler looking for Terry’s Bed and Breakfast had slid off the road. After the rescue we found out this person was Kelvin Perry, our newest member.
As I was drying off I overheard the phone again. It was one of our members who unexpectedly would not be able to attend. I remember the conversation ending with the suggestion that the caller could still send his food item by taxi. ;-)
Terry and Sharon made room in their spacious kitchen to set up a fabulous potluck buffet. I do not believe that we even had one duplicate item.
After all the food and good conversation came the judging of the most “green items” worn by each member. Faith Sharpe had reached a perfect 10 (green items that is) when I simply had to step outside for air. She definitely won the contest, however I think everyone had stopped counting.
Initially I committed to writing a few paragraphs. Therefore I think I will end with the following little rhyme:
For some, the highlight of the evening was Faith’s green thong,
For others it was the fiddler fiddling a song.
Yet another admired the kettle boiling from red to blue,
And finally for one soul it was simply eating more Irish stew.
On behalf of everyone I want to thank Terry and Sharon for their generous hospitality at their beautiful Bed and Breakfast. This event will not be forgotten.
Click on the photo for pictures courtesy of Jim and Ellie.
Kelvin, Bob, and our wonderful hosts Terry and Sharon.We have a winner!
Long ago, you will remember Jim Woodford's challenge for the first LBC on the road in the new year. Well, we finally have enough evidence to announce that Mike Smith and son and his Mini were on the road back on January 9th, 2007—before the snows, you will notice. Here's a view from the driver's seat—remember, right-hand drive–out in Mactaquac country:
and a shot of the car with the witness:
Congratulations, Mike. Maybe you'll receive your prize at the St. Patrick's day FABash.
Also making a respectable effort in the spirit of competition was last year's winner, Paul Allen. He ventured out on March 5th and says, "Thought that a little warmup run through the woods might get the juices/oil flowing! Well, at least I beat the running of the sap!"
Ah... spring is just around the corner. :-)
and a shot of the car with the witness:
Congratulations, Mike. Maybe you'll receive your prize at the St. Patrick's day FABash.************************************************
Steve Ball went to Tim Hortons in Hampton Feb 24.
************************************************
Also making a respectable effort in the spirit of competition was last year's winner, Paul Allen. He ventured out on March 5th and says, "Thought that a little warmup run through the woods might get the juices/oil flowing! Well, at least I beat the running of the sap!"
Ah... spring is just around the corner. :-)
8 Minutes of unbelievable driving
Wait until you see a passenger changing a tire while the driver has the car operating on two wheels!!!
Cold Weather Contest Announcement—Finally!
Well friends, I have a confession to make. On January 26th—the day I posted the first hint—I received an e-mail from Mark Brown in Saint John saying, "Oooo..I'm 99% I know it, but t'would be a shame to end the game so soon! ;)" So I e-mailed him back appreciating his wish not to end the fun, but asking him to verify that he recognized the car from Hint #1. His reply was right on the money: "If I had to put my money on something, I'd say it's a Caterham (or possibly Lotus, Westfield, Birkin, etc. etc.) 7!" He pretty well covered all the Super 7 bases. The car is a Westfield Super 7, owned and enjoyed by Kelvin Perry, just in the process of dropping that wonderful little aluminum block Rover v8 in it to replace the little original 4 cylinder. At 1200 or so pounds in total weight, the little thing should skat! So, congratulations to Mark Brown. Check out his blog and you'll understand that he may be just a little beyond being a car fanatic. Looking forward to meeting you, Mark. And, looking forward to having Kelvin join us over a good steak this month at McGinnis Landing.
Thanks to all of you who went out on a limb to guess, or proclaim, your answer. Participation is what inspires your webmaster to continue pounding the keys.
Well, for those of you who are still in the dark, and have not had the pleasure, here are photos—complete—not just tantalizing bits.
Well, for those of you who are still in the dark, and have not had the pleasure, here are photos—complete—not just tantalizing bits.
PS: Congratulations also to Ralph Holyoke who not only was among those with the correct answer, but continued in his posting to say, "I also guess that it is white!!!!!!!" Bravo!
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