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.
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??
- 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
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.
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
Thanks.
Kelvin
FABAC breakfasts switching to TUESDAYS
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.
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