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Members report on travels #1


Pam and I went to Nova Scotia via the Fundy Princess September 7th – 11th to visit friends and relatives.  A great trip and the B worked flawlessly.  We tested the car’s water tightness and the wiper’s efficiency on Monday (remember the flooding in Truro?).  I can report that the wipers were barely adequate in letting me see through the deluge although they have performed well on other occasions.  Pam can report that the design of the cowl vent does NOT stop water in some cases, particularly when the driver has left the vent open.  She got her feet went when we met a very large bus which buried us in a monster wave.  It shook the car!!   I’m proud to say that there were no other leaks or explosive intrusions of water.

We had a great time, renewed acquaintances and had plenty of excellent seafood.  Next year we plan to drive the whole south shore of NS to the Lunenburg area and then on to Halifax and PEI via ferry and bridge.

- Phil
(Click on photo for a larger image)


Tour to Rickett's Vineyard

Report from Bob E:
Under ominous skies and not-quite-warm-enough temperatures, a whole bunch of cars headed down the old Trans Canada towards Kingston. Those who braved the fall weather with their tops down found that it was almost pleasant—call it bracing? John led a brisk pace over fog shrouded hills and through mist laden valleys. 

Arriving at the John Carter tea room (open just for us!) we drove aimlessly in circles for several minutes before (somewhat like a dog) settling down and parking. 

Nestled at a confusing but scenic intersection, the Tea room was a two hundred year old home offering a traditional turkey dinner. It was served quickly and everyone enjoyed it thoroughly. Dinner was followed by a short tour and history of the home over pie and coffee. 

The group continued on the short drive to Tony Rickett's winery where we once again drove in circles for a few minutes. Finally, the winery was reached and the group toured the facilities, enjoyed a wine tasting of mead (?!), and did our best to empty Tony's larder of his latest production. Although a 'driving test' had been promised it (mercifully) did not happen. Whether the weather hampered the spirit, or memories of last years blood-letting were still too fresh, we were allowed to leave without having to prove our driving prowess. 

A few folks headed to Saint John or other parts leaving a small contingent to drive back to Freddy. We opted to take the Bellisle and Evandale ferries on the return trip. Those who headed south will be disappointed to hear that the northern gang drove into increasingly clear and sunny skies. Like the mythical figure of Moses parting the sea, the Bellisle ferry parted the gloomy clouds and temperature climbed. We completed the rest of the journey under almost idyllic conditions with crisp blue skies decorated with a few clouds. 

Thanks go to John Bowles for a thoroughly enjoyable fall trip. 
- Bob E.

Bob LaR: "It was a great tour, naturally the food was great and today the wine tasting was super."


View more great photos from Bob and Rita here.

BREAKING NEWS! NEXT SUNDAY’S TOUR SEPT. 23RD

Sunny weather forecast! Great drive on good roads!! Country turkey dinner!!! Winery visit!!!!

11.45 Rendezvous at Ramada Inn, Fredericton.
12.00 Depart along Rte 105 to Kingston via, Cambridge Narrows and Norton.
12.45 Arrive Kingston, Country-style fall turkey dinner at Carter House Tea Rooms (By special arrangement, The Carter House is usually closed. Home-made dinner cost $15.00 per person.
(NOTE: Cash only.)
2.00   Depart for Tony Rickett’s riverside vineyard and newly-opened winery. Tour and tasting.
3.00   Fun driving tests on vineyard grounds.
3.45   Return journey.

NOTE: FABAC’s Saint John area members can join us in Kingston. I still have some spaces available. Late entries please email me at jmbowles@nb.sympatico.ca.  
Absolute deadline noon Saturday, Sept. 22nd.

John B.
Tour Organizer

Report on September's Meeting

The Diamond House Restaurant in Oromocto again sagged under the collective weight of many dozen FABACians. We pretty much took the place over (again) and all enjoyed their fare. We greeted long time FABACians John DeWitt and Gary Hetherington who have been scarce the last while.

John Bowles detailed the plans for this Sunday's visit to Tony Rickett's winery and asks anyone who's attending to please email him (jmbowles@nb.sympatico.ca). Timings will be published here soon.

The highlight of the evening (at least for me) was Curry Alders' tale of how he came into possession of a Jaguar dealer's sign from the dealership in Halifax that had gone out of business in the 60s. It was almost a metre square and made from thick glass with chrome fittings and frame. There were many oohs and aahs from the gang as it was unveiled.

In between more tales of his squirrel trapping exploits, Jim Bleakney announced plans for our annual fall visit to the Gyles Restaurant, five miles south of Woodstock. This is always popular and is usually our big last run of the season.

Curry talked about the trip to the Magdalen Islands and the car show on PEI. It seems that the show has been resurrected at Cymbria and has been well received with over 80 cars this year.

The Nielsens displayed (proudly!) their finally-functioning Morgan. The new engine sounds great and by all accounts runs well.

Our next meeting will take place at McGinnis landing  October 17th.

- Bob E.

FABAC Monthly Meeting Wednesday Sept. 19th

The third Wednesday of the month (TWOTM - trying to make a unique anagram out of this, but not working) is rolling in quickly and it will be FABAC's favourite past time again - eating and meeting! This month's meeting location is the Diamond House Restaurant, 261 Restigouche Road, Oromocto. I have advised the restaurant that we will be arriving 6:15 pm +/-. The weather looks like it will allow a top down evening, so let's get out with our LBC's for another local gathering of socializing, tales/lies, etc. For the first time, I have a show and tell item to bring and looking forward to showcasing this cherished item that I now have proudly displayed in the garage. No Dave, it is not a Morgan.

See you there.
Curry

SEPT 23RD VINEYARD TOUR AND PICNIC??

On Sunday September 23rd, Tony Rickett has invited FABACians to visit  his “annual” riverside vineyard estate in Kingston for a bring-your-own picnic and some auto games. Tony is a welcoming British classic car fan and has an Austin Healey 100, Triumph TR3 and Jaguar E-type to prove it. John B. is willing to organize the tour provided enough people sign up for this rain or shine event. Email him at jmbowles@nb.sympatico.ca (please don’t sign up under “Comments”)
John B.

Photos from the PEI and Magdalen Island tour


More photos here from John B.
(Just making me feel worse for missing this. - David)

Ministers Island Tour Update - Sunday Sept 9

Latest:  Unfortunately the latest weather forecasts for tonight and Sunday with high winds and rain are not going to accommodate our planned picnic at Ministers Island. Disappointing I know! We'll reschedule as soon as feasible or alternatively plan another day event soon.
 Stay tuned,
  Gary


I was finally able to get the information needed to complete the planning of this proposed tour to Ministers Island near St Andrews.

Due to this now being off season and with the facility now being at reduced staff, we would have to meet one of the coordinators at the gates of the island promptly at 11am or earlier. That would mean we would have to leave Black Restaurant in Harvey an hour earlier the first reported. So we would now leave there at 9am.

Here is the planned itinerary:

 - leave for departure from Black Restaurant at 9am and travel via Route 3 and Route 127 to St Andrews.
 - arrive at Ministers Island around 1045 to meet up with one of the island coordinators.
 - drive around and explore the island on our own till lunch time.
 - have our picnic lunch
 - tour starts promptly at 1:30 (  it's approx. a 2hr tour)

The tour cost is included in the admission which I verified is $15.00 for adults and $10.00 seniors ( 60yrs)

The weather is still forecast to be beautiful making this an opportune time to visit this wonderful historic property.

Please let us know if you are planning to attend as the tour folks would like to know numbers.

Again thanks,
  Gary

Report on the PEI show and Magdalen Islands tour

Last August 25th, the “British Car Days in PEI” show came alive again thanks to the Cymbria Lions Club of Rustico in collaboration with the British Motoring Association of PEI. The original event was discontinued four or five years ago.

Held on the grounds of the Lions Club community hall overlooking the sea, some 85 British classic cars were displayed in perfect sunny weather. They included four FABAC entries: the Triumph TR3A of Karen (and Terry), the Jaguar E-type of Curry and Sherry A. the MG TD of Rod K. and the MGB of Shirley Ann and John B. The newly refurbished community hall was used for the previous evening’s “meet and greet” (fantastic clam chowder and mussels galore!) and then for the show’s awards dinner. Heavily supported by BMAPEI and BATANS members, the cars on show included a rare Rover 2000TC, a Morgan 4/4, a TVR Tuscan and a brace of Morris Minor convertibles. Strangely though, not a Rolls Royce in sight! An equally rare Hillman Minx convertible scooped the top prize.

After the show, for the Alders and Bowles, it was onto a five day adventure tour to the Magdalen Islands (Iles de la Madeleine) population around 13,000. This involved joining up with 22 BATANS club members on a very well organized trip starting with a five-hour ferry voyage from Souris in PEI to Port de Cap-Aux Meules Island. With a road that runs almost 100 kms from one end of the chain of five islands to the other, the archipelago in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence features winding roads, deep green valleys, spectacular sandy beaches and deep red cliffs. Tour organizers Dave and Carol Munro with Rosalie and Fraser Cox led a program of site visits to fishing villages, craft centres, a salt mine interpretative centre and cheese, beer and herring factories. Some excellent food restaurants were also on the menu! One of the spectacular sights were the scores of kite-powered surf boarders skimming the waves at 70 kph. Apparently the islands are an international magnet for surf boarders due to sustained winds and shallow waters.

For most of the tour, top-down weather was the order of the day. Only on the last morning, did rain spoil proceedings as the cars lined to embark for the ferry back to PEI. Both the Alders’ Jaguar and the Bowles’ MG didn’t miss a beat having covered some 960 miles or 1600 kms from Fredericton back to Fredericton. How’s that for British classic car reliability! All in all a great trip to be recommended.
- John B.

A run to Ministers Island

Barb and I are tentatively planning a tour to Ministers Island near St Andrews this Sunday Sept 9th.

Ministers Island, was the summer estate of Sir William Van Horne, the first president of and the driving force behind the Canadian Pacific Railway. The Island is a historic property with much to see and to experience. Included is the link for more details and your perusal:

                                     http://www.ministersisland.net/index.html

I'm trying to get more details but the office is closed today for the holiday.

 Here is what we had in mind:

 - meet at Black's Restaurant in Harvey for a 10 am departure
 - a picnic lunch either on the Island or close to it, perhaps Centennial Park.
 - there is a 2 hour guided tour of the Island at 1:30. One of my questions will be do we need to
   reserve? So please let us know if your interested in accompanying us.
 - rates for visiting Ministers Island.  adults; $15.00   seniors; $10.00. I will ask, what age senior
   rates start at as well as group rates.

  I will post the final details once these folks return my call. What we do need, as soon as possible, is the number of you interested in attending. The long range forecast is for sunny and nice weather on Sunday.....a perfect day for this type of outing.

 Thanks,
 Gary

A request

I am in the process of building a 2 car transporter, 24 ft long bed, 7000lbs capacity to carry both my cars to shows next year. It will have an E Track tie down system and whilst building, I would like it to be able to carry other cars if the need arose.
I need the maximum width of popular club cars. This is the dimension measured at the tyres, that way I can make sure that the trailer will be a universal fit without being a behemoth.
I plan on it having a beaver tail for ease of loading and a front winch for recovery of non drivers.
Your input would be really helpful .

Kelvin