Report on the “First Annual”
MMSCC Trip to Prince Edward Island British Car Show
A
weekend of typical British damp weather failed to depress
the spirits of those attending the 6th Annual British Car Days Across the Bridge on Prince
Edward Island
this past weekend. Visitors to the island and residents
alike enjoyed viewing and talking with the
owners of the one hundred seventy British
cars that took the field overlooking the
beautiful Rustico Bay on Saturday.
The Triumph TR6 celebrating the 35th anniversary
of its introduction, was the featured car this year.
Our own little TR took its place in the honored line
up. MMSCC members were well represented with a full
range of cars. Jim Lea, George Jennings and Don and
Dela Factor made the trip in Austin Healeys; Dave and
Emily Hawkins added an MGB; Tony and Kathy Fontaine
with their niece contributed to the Jaguars attending
and Ray and Katherine Campbell had the only TR8 in the
whole show. A special thank you to Tom Laurent and Rosemarie
Nervelle who made the trip in their BMW wagon. They
carried the club tent and brought up the rear for the
entire trip ensuring a safety net if we needed it. Other
New Englanders were in attendance as well, in fact the
featured club of the show this year was the New England
MG Car Club with many members from Maine.
On
Thursday, five MMSCC cars armed with radio communication,
(handy for pit stop requests), began the trip in
caravan along the coastal route through Maine with the intention of visiting Campobello Island and to take the ferry to Deer Island and St George, NB. Unfortunately the fog washed out
this part of the trip but we did stop at
the St Croix Island International Historical
Site to commemorate the 400th anniversary
of the French settlement where we ate our picnic lunch.
It was on to St. John, NB where we stayed the night.
Friday
morning we headed to the Fundy Trail Parkway
and drove its winding, twisting roadway. George Jennings
pondered how we might take over the park roadway for
a day and use it as a racetrack! Many of us ventured
onto the bouncing rope bridge across the rushing Salmon River and took in the visitor center where we learned about
the local history. It is
beautiful spot; with waterfalls, lookouts, beaches and
trails, but once again the view was hampered by fog.
It was on to the Confederation Bridge,
Canada’s longest. We crossed all 12.8 kilometers over
the Northumberland
Strait
to PEI.
That
evening we enjoyed the hospitality of Bob and Sandy
Bentley and the host club, the British Motoring
Association of PEI. It was a time to feast on PEI mussels, Nova Scotia beer and a delicious buffet. And oh yes, it was the
first chance to get a look at all the cars in attendance
as they road in and filled the grassy field with color
and chrome.
Saturday, Show Day, was fun for all, making and renewing friendships and
sharing ideas. Cars from Manitoba to Connecticut gathered on the Cymbria Lion’s Club grounds for
the big event. Ogling each others cars was the feature
of the day. We set up the club tent, anchored to the
Fontaine’s Jag to hold it down in the wind and
gathered to compare notes. Two of our members served
as judges and while none of us came away with a winning
entry, we all enjoyed ourselves. That evening at the
awards dinner the winners were honored.
Sunday
morning brought clearing skies as two MMSCC cars joined
the seventy-five others who made the drive into Charlottetown, the capital of PEI. The folks of PEI got a real treat as we all paraded by their homes and
parked on their streets. The Confederation Center was the destination where we were entertained by a
local Acadian family who provided lively traditional
music and dance. The meal was excellent and after closing
remarks we dismissed just
in time to find the sun shining for real! Tops came
down and LBCs buzzed all over the island.
Prince Edward Island is a beautiful place with friendly welcoming people.
There is much to see and do, so if you have never been
there or even if you have, mark your calendars for next
July and the “Second Annual”
MMSCC Trip to Prince Edward Island Car Show!
Submitted by Jim and Sue Barker
