NEWFOUNDLAND TRIP IN A 1961 MGA 1600
VIKING INVASION 2000
by Bob Forest


This is a trip that I could write a book about, but as space does not allow it, will try and make it short as possible, that is, if it is possible.

July 28th, 8:25 am, backing out the MGA from our garage in Kirkland, I noticed that the odometer read 11999 miles. We were leaving for 18 days, which finally turned out to be 17 days. Where we saved a day, I can't remember, or maybe I counted the wrong days and ended up with 17. This was without question one of the most enjoyable trips we have ever undertaken, so maybe that is why we ended up with 17 days, but maybe it was 18 days as time flew, who knows.

Our plan was to drive to visit Helen's parent's who live in Charlo N.B. for a 3 or 4 day stay, this would be one of our big driving days, 506 miles. We had a wonderful time at my in-laws, ate like a pig, and one must be careful not to eat too much if you own an MGA, as this is a car that is very difficult to get in for people who can't see their shoes. During our stay in Charlo, there was a car show, The Bon Ami Show and Shine. That day I headed for the show, and to my surprise got a nice plaque. I was one of 3 European cars. 145 were American. I had a good time meeting many people who were interested in the MGA.

We finally left for Halifax the morning of the 1st of August. There we stayed 4 days, got a chance to visit the city. We were the guests of Gerry and Sandra at their lovely home in Waverley N.S. There we got a chance to meet other members of the British Automobile Touring Association of Nova Scotia. As a matter of fact went to one of their Friday 10 am OLF meetings. These are held every Friday morning. I was a little worried as those letters are not very friendly letters here in Quebec (Office de la Langue Française) we call them the language police, but in Halifax, it stands for the Old Farts. It seems I fitted in pretty well, at least that is what Helen said.

August 5th, we departed the house, Gerry and Sandra in their Healey and ourselves in the MGA. Bedford Mall was the destination for the meeting of the group that was going to do the tour. On arrival at the shopping center, it was nice to see some of the members come out to wish us all a nice trip. In my case it was nice to see Roger and his wife Irene in their XK 150 coupe.

It was here that we were all given a three ring binder with maps and schedules for every day of the trip. On the left side of the binder was the map and the darkened color of our days travel, and on the right side the times and stops for visits or eating. This had to be a lot of work to prepare. Every page was inserted in a vinyl insert, so even if it rained, we could still find out where we were going. At this time I want to thank Preston & Betti Ann, Tony & Monique, Andy, for the work they did in organizing this trip.

9 am we departed for Sydney, and our leader Preston and his wife Betti Anne led the way in their 1980 MGB LE. The rest following who consisted of Bob and Pat Hamilton, 1953 Sunbeam Alpine, Harry & Karen, 1967 TR4A-IRS, Gerry & Sandra, 1965 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III, John & Gladys, 1966 Morgan 4/4, Robb & Charlotte, 1977 MGB, Bob & Sandra, 1962 MGA 1600 MK II, Gillian 1976 TR6, Tony & Monique, 1976 Lotus Eclat, also with our group, which, once in Sydney would leave us and do the Cape Breton Tour, were Lynn & Ron in a 1977 MGB, Robert & Helen 1960 TR3, Drew & Sheilia, 1954 TR2, Arnold & Sharon, 1974 MGB, Stuart, 1968 Morgan 4/4, Jim & Nancy, 1976 MGB.

We had a few stops on the way, as many of us are over 50 years old, you can understand why stops are very important. It is quiet a funny scene for anyone watching us arrive. It is the opposite of the LeMans Start. We don't run to the cars, but run from the cars, and you know where. During the trip, I thought it would have been a good idea to have a trophy for the one that arrive at the toilet first. It was quiet funny to watch some of the members in the line up waiting, including myself, doing the up and down beat. None of us had walkmans, yet we all had the same beat.

That evening in Sydney all headed for Brian and Arlene home for a fantastic BBQ. This is a couple that belongs to the BATANS but could not come along for the trip. I could not believe the amount of work they did in preparing for this evening. Brian brought in the renowned Nova Scotia Chef Mr. Harry who was all dressed up in shorts, tee shirt and Apron all matching in the British Flag. We ate, drank, and talked cars. Brian is restoring a 1968 Triumph Spitfire and from what I saw in his garage, this is one beautiful restoration. It was nice to see all those British cars parked in front, side and back of Brian and Arlene's house. The party ended about 10pm as we had a long day tomorrow.

Aug. 6th was our date of departure for Port aux Basques Nfld. We were on the new Cat Ferry, Max Mols. No more 7 hour crossing. What a trip, this catboat travels at 48.5 miles per hour, the rooster tail was like a mile long. This is a Danish Cat Ferry, and the whole crew was Danish. (knowing that the crew was all-Danish, I was very disappointed that there were no Danish pastries on board.) It holds 220 cars and 780 passengers.

Bob and John had hand held GPS and I can tell you that we were doing 48.5 miles per hour. That is really moving on water. Once on board, and the cars safely tucked away, we all headed up to the dining room level. This was going to be a 2 ½ hour crossing. For $10.95 a buffet all you can eat. The return ticket is $201.00. We figured, if we are going to be sick, may as well fill up with lot's of food so that we could use as many of the bags as possible.

Here we are on the Rock. I could not believe the condition of the road, I figured this could be a Newfie ploy, make the first 10 miles beautiful, same, as when you arrive in Quebec, then after 10 miles you have to wire your teeth together. No, I'll tell you right now, the roads were in beautiful shape for the whole trip.

The following days on the Rock, was without exception a fantastic experience. New friends, laughter, sights that were just spectacular, for one the Fiords in Gross Morne National Park. We all took the 2 ½ hour boat ride through the fresh water lake, which took us in deep in one of the fingers of the Fiords. Just Beautiful. Our visit to L'Anse aux Meadows is where the Vikings landed 1000 years ago. Dr. Grenfell Mission in St. Anthony, and his house, which is now a walk through museum. The Light Keepers Restaurant where we sat and ate a fabulous supper, watching from our table Killer Whales in the bay below. What more would you want. The Table Lands, is where there are no birds or animals of any sort. No plants of any sort. These are mountains that are so high that snow was still in the large Crevasses. Iron is the reason for this phenomenon, too much of it.

The scenery was just beautiful, no matter which way we were going, to St. Anthony or from Anthony to Port aux Basques, we had on our left or right the ocean. When you get a chance to look at a map of Nfld. look at our route. We visited many little towns and places. Corner Brook, Cow Head, where that beautiful beach is located called Shallow Bay Beach, Rocky Harbour, was we checked in at the Wild Flower B&B. This B&B is highly recommended, it overlook Rocky Harbour. The food is excellent and beautifully served. The owners are a class act. We stayed in Rocky Harbor for 3 nights. This is the most central place to stay in Gros Morne National Park. Also the area where I think there is the most to see.

At one point in our trip, Tony and Monique in their 1976 Lotus Eclat, took the Ferry over to Labrador. When we caught up to them, after their stay in Labrador, they mentioned that they enjoyed the scenery but not the black flies. I also mentioned that we caught up to them, as Tony can drive that car at over the legal limit. He always left a few hours after us, but Tony and Monique were always there in the evening to enjoy the good times we had together.

Things we saw, two live Moose, one dead one, one of the first Bombardier Snow Mobile, with the Flat Head Chrysler engine. We saw knives that were over 1000 years old, not only saw them, but touched them. Norris Point, near Rocky Harbour, is a view to die for. We walked, relaxed and read, and did some shopping at the local boutiques. Did some driving around looking for little inlets. The roads again are in beautiful condition, and just a pleasure to drive, but luckily not much traffic in these towns, as we would have had a few accidents. Not looking at the road in front, but the scenery, which was mind-boggling.

August 13th departure for Port aux Basques, we met at 10 am and it was a beautiful day, very sunny, but just a few miles down the highway, I saw a wall of fog coming down the lake, I stopped and took a picture, I had never seen anything like it.

Only one exciting thing happened on the way to Port aux Basque. Bob and Pat in their 1953 Sunbeam Alpine ran out of gas. Luckily for us, Bob had a two-litre container of gas with him. This gave us any excuse to stop and watch him pour that gas. Can you imagine, all of us watching him pour that gas, the sound of a waterfall, which is what it sounded like. You know what happens to 50 and over when they hear running water. We could not wait to get to Port aux Basques, somehow we all headed for the gas station again.

Aug. 14th, 5am, at the ferry, then we departed Port aux Basques at 7 am. The ferry ride back to Sydney, was not as smooth as coming over. A few from our group got sick, but many aboard also got sick. You have to keep in mind that this is a catboat. If the seas are rough, she will sway from side to side, not bow to stern. Again it made me proud to see how many of our group was able to fill those bags. Like they say, they let it all out. Another advantage of the Catboat is that it does the crossing in 2 ½ hours rather than 7 hours, so rather than being sick for 7 hours you are only sick for 2 ½ hours.

Not much happened on the way back to Montreal. Antigonish, my generator went, Ignition light on. We drove to Halifax on the battery, took out the generator and regulator. Next morning brought it to Diesel and Auto Electric Limited in Dartmouth, where Norm found me a rebuilt generator and matched it to my regulator. All for the sum of 193.00 taxes in and I kept my old generator. This little incident kept our departure back 3 hours.

We drove back to Montreal, with a stop over in Charlo again, for a visit with Helen's brother Dale who was in from Calgary. Helen had not seen her brother and his kids for 3 years. That was the emotional part of the trip. You need Emotion, danger, problems, beauty, fun, friendship, shopping, and last but not least many bathrooms.

We arrived in Montreal around 5 pm, with 15617 miles on the odometer, at total of 3618 miles in 17 days with only one little problem. Without question this is a trip that we will not easily forget, the friendships, the spectacular views, the laughter, the sounds of the cars, the sights of the cars, all in all just a wonderful trip. Any of you that have not been to Nfld, make it one of your future vacations. Before I finish this article, I would like to talk about John and Gladys from Los Angeles, California. This couple in 1994 in their 1966 Morgan 4/4 did an around the world trip. Countries not in order of how they did it, as we were on the cat boat coming back, and thinking was difficult. Japan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Finland Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, France, England, Canada, Wales Spain, Scotland, 7 provinces in Canada, 32 states including Alaska. Now I ask you, why are you afraid to drive your British Car?

©VEA
 

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