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WHAT DID THE
MGA DO THIS YEAR?
DESTINATION: BATHURST, NEW BRUNSWICK
by Bob
Forest (your roving reporter)
August 3rd, 2001, a Friday. We left
our home on Montevideo in Kirkland, Quebec, at exactly 9am.
Our destination this day, was Charlo N.B., total miles 520.
A good days' drive, especially in a MGA.
The temperature already was 28C, and it got hotter as the
day wore on, but the MGA just hummed along. Almost like listening
to a symphony. Helen and I were elated that the holiday finally
started, and as I mentioned before in another article, the
beauty of going with a classic, is that the holiday starts
as you are backing out of the garage. Not when you arrive
at the destination. The way I look at it, I get more for my
money. Where as, a couple leaving with their regular car,
think of the holiday when they arrive, so if they arrive at
7pm that evening, the cost of that day is from 7pm to midnight.
Who else but me would think this way.
We arrived safe and sound in Charlo around 7pm, a good 10
hour drive, but we took the scenic route, up to Mont Joli,
then along the Matapedia to Charlo. If some of you have not
been in that area, plan a holiday to see that area of our
country.
We stayed at Helen's parents till the 8th of August and then
headed for Bathurst N.B. This was only a one hour drive along
the sea shore. We arrived at Danny's Motel, which is famous
for it's hospitality, and food. I can vouch for that. The
owner, Bob who also owns a 1987 4 door Jaguar special edition,
with only 43,000 km. He bought it new, and the car has never
seen winter. It also has the wire wheels. Just beautiful.
Bob let us use his wash bay. It had the high pressure wash,
with soap, rinse and wax, same as these do it yourself car
washes. So everyday we washed the cars, to take off the dust
and bugs that was collected that day.
We were the second car to arrive, as the day went, 10 other
British cars arrived for the 3 day stay. These were members
of the Nova Scotia Group, called the BANTAMS from Halifax..
Plus the local Bathurst British car owners also showed up.
Our last evening, Bob the owner set up the patio around the
pool with large containers of mussels, all we could eat, plus
hors d'œuvres, this was paid for by a couple from Bathurst
that owned a British Car. This was very much appreciated by
all of us. A Couple of hours later, we were all asked to enter
the dining room, which was specially set up for our group.
It was a fantastic way to end the three days. Helen and I
left for Charlo around 11pm as family plans we set up for
Saturday morning. A beautiful drive again along the sea shore,
and the temperature had cooled downed a bit. Could of driven
for hours, but 55 minutes later, we were there.
We stayed in Charlo till Monday the 13th, and came back by
Edmonston, not as scenic, but still very nice. Arrived home
at 5 pm, the MGA, full of bugs and dust.
Next Year, Les Iles de la Madeleine.
©VEA
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