by Bob Forest

Helen and I left the house around 7am Wednesday morning to meet our 3 other traveling companions at a place called Barbies, in Dorval. Sure enough the other three MGB's were there. Bob Kavanah and his wife Odette, Terry Burke and his wife Lynne, and Dick Hamilton and his wife Gaetane. We said our hello's, I passed out the walkie talkies, which all four cars had one, and all on channel 5.03. This way, we would not be bothered by a lot of garbage talk, except my garbage.
So off we went, 7:30am, heading for Drummondville our first stop for gas. >From there we drove just a few miles past Rimouski to our destination La Maree Douce, a B&B that we have been staying at 2 or 3 other times, and have enjoyed the quality of dining and the clean rooms and friendly service. A bit pricy, but what a way to start a holiday.
The next morning up and early, some went for a walk and in the dining room for 7:45am for a lovely breakfast. Then off to Mont Joli, on our way there Dick radioed us that Gaetan forgot her ring in the room, so he headed back to the B&B and we headed for Mont Joli, but decided to stop at the turn off for Mont Joli and visited the local boutiques, while Dick drove back to get the ring. About 40 minutes later he was back with us, and luckily Gaetan found the ring. That morning while cleaning her counter did not see the ring and it was still in the garbage pail, so that was a good luck omen for all of us. Bad luck became good luck.
So back in the MG's and headed now for Charlo, for a 30 minute stop over at Helen's parents and her brother and sister in law. It gave a chance for a little break from the driving and our friends got to meet Helen's parents and friends and relatives.
From there we headed for Shediac, and turned off the highway and headed for Murray Bay, so that we could drive the scenic route along the water, and get to see the Confederate bridge. Otherwise, if you drive in from the main highway, you do not get to see the bridge from the side. It is a very impressive site to see.
We crossed the bridge and met some of the fellows that were going on the bridge tour. There was a good 40 of us taking this very special tour. The Manager of the Confederation Bridge is a Michel Lechasseur, who owns a TR6. This part of the bridge is open only a few times a year for a couple of groups of 5 to 10 people at a time. So here we are with at least 40 of us. This was due to Michel. This was an amazing site to see. We were all given hard hats to wear, then headed for a very small door that leads us to the interior of the bridge. One of the engineers of the bridge now a permanent staff gave us a history of how and what happened in the construction of the bridge. At some points inside this tunnel, it had to be like a 8 or 10 story high building. We had to be very careful of where we walked, not to hit our heads on bolts that stuck out from the rails that held some of the communication wires. This is a masterpiece of engineering. We were all amazed at what we were seeing.
So thanks to the group that did all of the organization of this tour for us. It was a great success, and what a way to start the weekend.
Once the tour was over, we headed to our cars, and then drove to Cavendish. We were now on the Island. As you know you pay only when you leave the Island.
We arrived at our cabins, after a few turn arounds, we did not know of roads that were closed off for construction, but we still found our way. I forgot to mention, that the only time that we had our tops up, was just before arriving in Shediac. We saw a few drops of rain, and decided to put up our tops. Well guess what, the rain stopped and we had no rain to this point of the trip. Top down all the way.
When at our cabins, and the Kavanahs and Hamiltons were so far very impressed with the way things were going, even though I was with them. They loved the cabins, and after an hour of getting ready for another event, we headed for Bob Bentley home. Bob Bentley and his wife are the organizers of this whole weekend so for the ones that pre registered are all invited to his home for Beer, Soft drinks, coffee, shrimps on the BBQ, meat balls, mussels (which are a big export of this part of the Island), chips, ice cream, and fresh cut strawberries, all this done for at least 200 people, all by volunteers of the PEI British car club. Plus on his lawn over 125 British cars are parked and we get our first chance to see what is going to be at the show on Saturday. Bob and Dick thought they were in Heaven, as it was their first time at this event.
Saturday morning, another sunny day, but maybe some rain, but it did not. So Dick went to the site early, and set up his $44.95 Gazebo from CDN Tire, which was great. We parked the 4 MGB's in front of it, and Ducked taped our Montreal MG Car Club Flag, to one of the legs above the roof of the Gazebo. Then got our chairs out and voila we were set up for the day. For those that have not been there, the view of the location is one of the best I have seen for a car show. It is an open area, slanted towards the water. So from where we were sitting, we could pretty well see many of the cars, as we were at the top of the hill.
All the wives got ready to go for the bus trip into Charlottetown, and not any bus. It was an old English double decker. We waved good by with our sad faces, and off they went, and off we went towards the cars.
We saw many beautiful cars, Jags, Healeys, MG's of all types, Triumh's, Sunbeam's, Riley's and many more. Some had their cars displayed under their own gazebo, and other had displays of all the history of their cars, show in the opening of the trunk, or on a display card with pictures and original papers next to the car.
About 3:30pm after the gifts and winners were announced, we headed back to our cabins, Some of us spent some time napping, showering and getting ready for the big evening event, the banquet. A 20 minute drive, with phenomenal views. We arrived at the big tent, which was on the grounds in front of Shaw's Restaurant with a sitting for 250 people. It was a Roast Beef supper that was to die for. Strawberry short cake and carrot cake for desert. The awards were handed out and a few short speeches were given, one in appreciation of all the work Bob Bentley and his crew did to organize this event and the other, given by Bob Bentley himself in appreciation of all who came. Not to be disappointed, I even got a few words in.
Sunday morning early, 6:30am, Dick and my wife Helen, headed out for a game of golf. They met us at a restaurant called Rachael's for breakfast at 9:30am. Every where we ate, the service was friendly and always, the food was very, very good. PEI is a great place to visit.
At 11 am we met about 80 cars for the day's tour to Victoria on the Beach. The cars pretty well took over the town. A beautiful spot. After getting out of our cars we were guided towards the Theater where we were introduced to the history of the area, by a local fellow whose name I do not recall. We all thought sitting in this beautiful theatre, that he was going to tell us about Victoria, well we were wrong there, as this guy was a great one man stand up story teller, with lots of humor. He had us in tears laughing. It was an hour that went by so fast. He got a standing ovation from all of us.
We then headed across the street for the Pub called the 40 KNOTS. Again we were treated to a wonderful lunch. I had the lasagna, and others had the veggie wrap with salad. The soft drinks were also included and you paid for the beer.
We could not get over, what was included in our fee for the weekend. It was the deal of deals. Bob Bentley told me that without the sponsors, the fee would be much higher.
We all left from Victoria on our own, and drove to Summerside and visited a shopping area and tried to get on a Canadian Naval vessel. We were 10 minutes too late so then we headed back to the cabins. We all sat outside on the grass having a few drinks and discussing which place we should go and eat, for our last evening in PEI. Bob Kavanagh had the winning suggestion, in finding this great Lobster restaurant. We ate on the outside terrace, the weather was perfect, and a beautiful sunset was happening while we were eating this delicious lobster. It was an evening to remember. What a way to end the day in PEI.
The next morning early, we were all packed and headed for the Prince Edward Island Preserve Co. a beautiful place to have breakfast. Again, beautiful views of the gardens while we ate. After and before the breakfast and during, some of us did a little shopping in this place. They had many beautiful things and many types of jams. Also, the girls went to visit the Country Gardens, just up the hill, a short walk.
Then we were on our way to Saint John N.B. Back across the PEI bridge which, when you think of it, we were under this road we are driving over last Tuesday. You only pay on the way out, so we each paid the 40 dollars and off we were to Saint John. We stayed at the B&B called Homeport. (www.homeport.nb.ca) for those who want to see what it looks like. It is just beautiful, and on arrival Ralph the owner, who is also a car guy, had the MG flag up for us.
That evening we went to the Opera restaurant where we had a great meal. Saint John has the look of Old Montreal, lot's of history, worth a visit.
The next morning we had a wonderful breakfast and got the cars packed and off we were for North Conway, a very long drive. Arrived in North Conway around 6pm and visited a few Motels for price comparison, and it was worth it. We all had a suggestion, which we went to, but Bob Kavanagh had the last suggestion, and it was the best one, so he got the best room. After that long drive, we ordered Pizza and pop and wine, and ate on the sun deck off Bob's room. Early to bed.
Our last day, was breakfast at the Blueberry Muffin restaurant, a little shopping and then headed for home. We arrived in Montreal at 3:30pm, and did 1781 miles of driving. Out of the 4 MG's we had one flat, one over heating, which was also fixed, as Dick had extra water and a bottle of antifreeze. We were well prepared.
Last but not least. Two other occasions happened to us on this wonderful trip. We celebrated a wedding anniversary, Terry and Lynne Burke, and we also celebrated a 75th birthday of Dick Hamilton, who doesn't look a year over 90, but has mental awareness of a 25 year old.
A great Trip, and Thanks to Odette & Bob Kavanagh, Lynne and Terry Burke, Gaetan & Dick Hamilton for making this trip for Helen and I a great one to remember.

July 12 to 20th, 2006

©VEA