This story started during the "Keep Calm and Carry On" Tour. Relaxing at Haylett and Nina's cottage on the way home, they mentioned the Barra Strait, VW Owners Show in Grand Narrows. They also mentioned that they were taking their beautiful Austin Healey as well. As it turns out, there was a Antique Auto Show and Shine included in this event as well. So, lets come along shall we and spend a day with some great friends and help yet another community put on a spectacular show. Not that they needed our help, they had everything covered and I do mean everything, read on.

I never really know who is coming on  the run until I get to our rally point. Today I was surprised to see Francis and Bonnie, it's been a while sense they have been out for a run. Next to them, Bobby, flying solo today and then along came Joe, then Bill and Moragh. I knew Peter would be waiting for us at the show along with Nina and Haylett and Don told me to call him when we were leaving. Don was playing golf and he met up with us at the show. 8 old British cars and one great looking Westphalia from the BCCCB were going to Grand Narrows for nothing less then a perfect day.

One of the things I love about driving along the Grand Narrows Highway is when passing Coopers Pond, you see the old Malaqawatch Church sitting high on the hill at the Highland Village. If the people of Cape Breton find this sight breathtaking, what do tourists think of it? Amazing I bet. On Tuesday, November 25, 2003, this 129 year old Church was floated about 15 kilometres along the Bras D'or Lakes on a barge, then dragged up the hill to it's current location. We'll get the opportunity to see the church up close a little later today. Arriving at the Barra Strait Marina, the first sight we seen was Haylett's Healey and Peter's Jaguar. We lined up our cars beside them, let the show begin.

Almost immediately we noticed the Queen standing on Peter's Jaguar. On the Queen's purse is a photocell  that runs the the waving motion of the Queen's hand. A nice little display and sure got it's share of comments. 

Haylett and Nina's Healey just came from a Music Video Shoot. The first picture has a video camera suction cupped to the engine hood and the second is of the singer, Haylett and Nina's niece. The other pictures are of another singer/mechanic in the video, or is it Hatlett's Mechanic.... hummm.

This show initially was set up to celebrate Volkswagens and the Westphalias are the rigs to celebrate in, what great looking campers. The first pic is of Haylett and Nina's and what a nice versatile van. The second picture is of the more modern type. Not cheap. 

I seen a show in Quebec a few years back that celebrated the Westphalias and here we are, another show. What I noticed from both shows is that the owners and families are adventurous people who love to have fun. All the campers add their own personality to their pride and joy, from tents to awnings and even a toilet. 

This mint 1958 micro bus was a rare sight to see. I was told that the owner had spent a lot of money on this, restoring it, and it shows... flawless.

This show was put on by the Grand Narrows Waterfront Development Society and my hat goes off to them for putting together one heck of a day. First off, the venue. Everything you need is on site, from a hotel to a convenient store, a liquor store, also showers and washrooms, perfect. Add in the scenery and some great people and heck, I am sorry I didn't come here Friday and stay until Sunday, like the Westphalia owners did. Now, as we parked, a gentleman came over and told us that there is a pork chop dinner being served for $5 and heck, at that price, where do I go? The cooker was full of chops and the lovely ladies of the Society served up bean salad, Potatoes Salad and green salad. I had a brief conversation with them and they are doing a lot of work to make their community a better place to live and from what I see, they are all doing a marvellous job. There are a lot of car shows all summer long and I have to say, when deciding which ones to attend, make a point to attend this one. There were even tickets sold on a Husqvarna lawn tractor  and a huge air compressor as well. We were to late getting there to purchase tickets but we won't miss out next year.

Above are an example of the many cars that attended this great show. A few I haven't seem before and again, that is the beauty of going to another community for a car show.

This show had a very nice twist. At 1 o'clock, after the show, there was a community cruise to the Highland Village. The Village was open to us, as participants in the show, for us to enjoy. I few of us could have spent more time here exploring the grounds and the buildings of the old village, as it  portrays life of the early settlers of Cape Breton. Leaving The Barra Strait Marina and over the Grand Narrows Bridge towards the Highland Village, many of those who live in the communities were out on the side of the road waving and cheering us on. Nice to see the community spirit.

I am not sure how many vehicles took part in the parade, there had to be 30 or 40 and it sure looked impressive as we turned off into the Highland village. Turning up the driveway you could see cars lined up in the distance. Now to get up to the Highland Village Church. This is one steep gravel hill to climb. The road is a little choppy and I would hate to break traction and throw stones up on Bobby's car, so slow and steady is the trick to climb up the road to the church.

This is perhaps one of the best viewing points on Cape Breton Island. Most of the cars lined up on the high side of the parking lot and I think it was Joe who zipped over to the side of the parking lot that overlooked Iona, Grand Narrows and perhaps 60% of Cape Breton, what a spot. Life is so rushed these day, it was nice to have some down time to sink in the beauty of this region of Cape Breton.

While most of us took in the views, Peter took the opportunity to get a professional photo done by Kristy MacLeod Photography. Kristy was using every angle to get the best shot possible and after viewing her website, I see that this girl knows what she is doing... just beautiful. With Kristy's sharp eye and the breathtaking backdrop from the Highland Village, I am sure that Peter will be pleased with the outcome. I can't wait to see them. Kristy said to give her a week and the proofs will be on her site.

Now to get down the hill, again, slow and steady and the whole adventure was worth it. A tip.... don't drive by the Highland Village without stopping in, heck, don't drive by the turn-off to Grand Narrows either. Take the time to stop and sink in the beauty of this area, worth every moment. Back on the road, we decided to take the ferry at Little Narrows. Along the way we pass through communities such as Estmere, Ottawa Brook and McKinnon's Harbour. I bet most of you never even heard of these places.

Ferry Time! Arriving first, I looked at the spaces on the boat and then looked back over my shoulder, a quick calculation and I didn't think we would all fit on board. Not a big deal, I just like travelling together. I was going to flag off the boat and wait for the next but someone said we'll meet up on the other side, so away we went. The deckhand said he got everyone on... and as the ramp was going up.... there was Bill and Moragh pulling up..... Seeing them waving from the dock reminded me of the movie Titanic.... Gulp... See yah later guys.

We exited the boat and waited for Bill and Moraghs arrival, giving us a few moments to enjoy this very tranquil area. What a beautiful; spot for a cottage, I just love it here. There they are, we're all together again and time for the last leg of our journey. We were heading To Peter's to show Bill and Moragh his Morgan but turning into Baddeck, Bill said he had to visit a friend and had no time to stop by Peters's ... next time. We then drove through Baddeck and continued on home. A stop for supper for Don, Francis and Bonnie, as well as Paula and I completed our day, and what a day it was.

What a great day yet again! The Grand Narrows Waterfront Development Society put their hearts into this and it shows. I wish I had a Westphalia so I could join then all on Friday night next year. Maybe I'll book a room at the Grand Narrows Hotel, it would be a blast. I have a feeling that this is going to be bigger next year once the word gets out on how great this show is. Regardless, show or no show, you should really stop for a moment here in Grand Narrows and the Highland Village, that's all you need to be hooked on this place. Cape Breton is full of scenic, tranquil treasures that you should seek out. We at the BCCCB do just that almost every Sunny Sunday. Once again, If you weren't there you missed it, and to think you could have won a Lawn Tractor or Compressor..... Come along next time.