The annual BCCCB Lobsterfest may have to have a name change, the BCCCB Lobstermania comes to mind. There is nothing refined about this event, this is the funniest, belly filling, chaotic event that the BCCCB puts on and it's no wonder it attracts most of our members, even members as far away as Newfoundland. Yeah, Members from Newfoundland..... this got to be good.
I am not sure who predicts the weather here on Cape Breton, Bozo the clown comes to mind as sun was forecasted all weeks for Saturday and Sunday but when Saturday, Lobsterfest Day rolled around, wouldn't you know, rain, yet again. Being a die hard British Car owner, rain wasn't stopping Paula and I from taking our BRG B to the soiree. Arraignments were made with Bill and Mora MacDonald to hook up with them in North Sydney to have them follow me to Carol's house. Bill, loving his new car and enjoys driving it, took their car along in the rain as well. Hey, could we have a true car guy and gal here? Bill has a 1969 MGB that he recently had painted and, like myself, threw on a set of Minilite wheels. The Minilite wheels really sets this car off as it even impressed Paula, not an easy task.
We arrived on time but there were only a few who had arrived ahead of us and at this point, Bill and I had the only British cars in the driveway. Diehards I'd say. Anyway entering Carol's I seen Bonnie and Francis, now this was a treat for sure as Francis had a few health issues and we weren't sure when exactly our paths would cross again, I couldn't think of a better time for a reunion then this joyous (chaotic) event. This event will put the smile back on his face and the bounce back in his step. I introduce Bill and Mora around to those that were there and unfortunately they had to fend for themselves as the Picture taking and chatting had started. Within minutes of our arrival the rest of the BCCCBs elite started coming through the door with auction items in one hand and lobster tools in the other.
And before long, in comes our Newfoundland connection Dave and Susan Warr. It's been a few years sense we seen our Newfoundland friends and as a matter of fact, when we did visit their home in St. Georges Newfoundland, this is what we seen along the highway in their effort to stop us and guide us into town. I hope we made them feel as welcome here in Cape Breton as they did in St. Georges. Within moments most of the BCCCB crew arrived and it was time for the fun to begin.
The auction table was to the overfill point as, I think everyone brought a donation. Last year there were only a few items and this year .... perhaps to many. Then! In walks "Bill the Auctioneer". Bill, a dashing young man with a very good talent of separating you from your money. Above Bill is having a chat with "Lotus" Paul Voynovich. If you look closely, Paul has his hand in his pocket clinching his money tightly. Bill likes to work the room first to feel out the bidders, see who's got the the fattest money clip so he can work them when the bidding stalls..
With Bill still working the the crew in the other room, he avoided the "you can't get blood from a stone gang" "TC" Barc, "Spitfire" Brian, "MG" Alfred and "Bugeye" Joe but he loosened them up as the afternoon moved on. Time for Bill to examine the bounty and ready his mind for the financial assault. With a derby on his head, cane in hand and a devilish black cape, Bill the Auctioneer was ready to work his magic.
Item number one broke the ice, and from them on it was laughter and bidding for the rest of the afternoon. There was no bad spot to watch the show, the house had many vantage points and no one missed a thing. Just look at the goings on and listen to the laughter in the background. Check it out Click here .... and then Click here
Bill the auctioneer never missed a beat, from the moment he touched the first item until the last, the Bill the Auctioneer never stopped joking, taking shots at our old British Cars and separating ourselves from our money. Just look at the crowd in the house.
Bill the Auctioneer is truly a master at this and everything he puts his hand to for that matter. The man worked the room like a pro. There were bids from all over the place and Bill the Auctioneer was on top of everything, trying to get others to outbid by a buck or two and with is smile and quick wit he accomplished just that, raising the total to a whopping $413.00. I am not sure how she did it but once again, Paula had her finger on the financial pulse, as she recorded every winning bid and transaction, excellent job and we all thank you. I'll try and get a BCCCB events tent with the money.
The Auction had passed and I am sure Bill the Auctioneer had a sore throat form talking and even perhaps yelling, a throat soothing lobster was in order. Craig, the King of the Q and in this case the Boss of the boilers as well had his finger on the pulse of the food preparation, With a spatula in one hand, a beer in the other and a close eye on the boiling crustaceans Craig did his own magic. Hummm there was more then Craig's eye on these crawlers from the sea. I snapped this pic of Lee and Ricky and Lee looks like the cat who ate the canary. Was he sneaking a peek to see if they were done yet? Meanwhile, while the aroma of steaks and Lobster started to fill the air, Paula the auction bean counter was settling up with bidder Susan English,
It appears that the favourite pastime this time of the year is watching water boil as crowds started to gather around the large pots that held the lobsters. Craig has this down to a science as he fills a tray with bright orange lobsters I slapped a BCCCB sticker on the back of one as if to lay claim but heck, we're all BCCCBers and someone quickly snatched it up.
Just look at the lobsters and look at the smile on Bonnie's face, I think she was just licking her lips. Next to her you have Joan getting a little dipping butter. I think we have some professional lobster gobblers here. As fast as Craig was placing trays of lobsters near the stove they went missing. Pass the lips and over the tongue look out belly here they come.
Pot luck was the deal and just look at what fed 41 hungry BCCCBers. Oh man speaking solely for myself here, I have to stop hanging around these guys in order to lose weight. We all love our cars and we all love to eat and not only do we have car owners in this great club but little did we know, we have chefs as well. Gosh Darn this stuff was good. I took a pic afterwards of the table and outside of a few scraps of food at the bottom of each bowl, all was gone. There would be no taking a plate of leftover home that's for sure. All was fantastic.
Tables were set up throughout the house and there was enough seating for everyone. What a huge house, a gorgeous house and it was a sin to eat inside but the rain. yet again, was relentless. The fun and chaos that that had ensued earlier had turned into a more tamer conversation over a great meal as our professional lobster gobblers pulled out there weapons of choice to extract the the bounty from the confines of the lobster shells. I seen wire cutters and specialty tools of all sorts, I seen lobster tools that came out of satin sheaths and I think I seen gold handle shell breakers. man I am totally out of my league. I just sat with a regular knife and fork and eat my steak.
Many took advantage of the sunroom and the sounds of shell crushing filled the room. not a sad face to be seen. Ole buddy Ray is looking up at me wondering I am sure, what I am going to say about him in the story. Well, he and Georgina behaved, no one got knocked down near the lobster tray, there wasn't shells flying in the air as they devoured their lobsters, they did well. Lobster/ crab lover at their best.
Maybe a candle and a bottle of Chianti would be in order for the Renzi's here, as it looks like they had a romantic little lobsterfest of their own in the sunroom. A well deserved Lobster for Bill the Auctioneer in the dining room, I bet he wasn't auctioning off his catch of the day. Now look at the dining room table, Carol has it draped in plastic, the only way to eat lobster inside. Growing up, my folks used news papers to soak up the lobster juice, I think the plastic look a whole lot better.
Even Arlene did well. Could she still be full from the British Motoring Festival Banquet? Not a chance. Next we have a table with two very fine, handsome Gentlemen and two very lovely and beautiful ladies. No shenanigans here, this was the best behaved table in the place.
Desert time.. oh man! Where does one find the room for such tasty treats, just have a gander at the selection. I was tempted earlier in the day to tear off some cellophane and snatch a cookie or two, everyone was watching the auction, no one would notice but I behaved. Besides the sweets we have..... rhubarb n strawberry pie, yum yum. Trifle that is to die for, (my fav) and chocolate cake with boiled icing. This went fast and if I didn't snatch two pieces, one for Paula and one for Gloria, Paula would have knocked me on the noggin. I caught Ricky and Don doing a little sampling... ah ha, they were caught with their hand in the cookie jar, literally.
There you go. Lobstermania 2011 was a huge success despite the weather. Would it have been better if the sun was shining? Well, this was sure hard to beat. Any day you laugh is a good day and today was a very good day. A big BCCCB thank you going out to Bill English, Carol Miller and Craig Miller. You three made this a day to remember for all who attended. What a great club. You know how it goes.... If you weren't there you missed it ... and that was great... more for the rest of us. Come along next time.