BRITISH CAR DAYS IN ACADIAN COUNTRY

HISTORY, NATURE, PROGRESS...  IN HARMONY... IN REXTON

The end of one journey makes for the beginning of another. Crossing the J. C. Van Horne Bridge from Pointe-à-la-Croix, Quebec into Campbellton New Brunswick marked the end to our Gaspe Tour but it also began a great weekend in Rexton, Saint Louis De Kent and Richibucto. These three communities hosted the British Car Days for the last two years, this being the third year, we thought it would be nice to attend and see first hand this show in this beautiful area of New Brunswick. The four from the Gaspe Tour rolled into the V.N. Star Motel in Richibucto where others from the BCCCB were already checked in. Peter and Sandy as well as Don, Nina and Haylett were awaiting our arrival. We were at the Motel no time when we had to leave for the Bonar Law Historic Site for a British Car Days meet and greet.

What a great venue for a car show, Bonar Law. This great park / historic property had everything we needed and tonight there was a little extra. Our hosts had  set up in the main Chalet our registration, a wine area where we had our choice of red or white wine and a fruit and meat tray along with other tasty snacks. Outside the music was playing in the large screened in building and in another open building there was a BBQ fired up with hamburgers and hotdogs. My favourite meals.. how did they know? We were told to relax and stroll around the grounds and enjoy ourselves, and we did just that.

There was enough cars here already to have a show. Some cars I have seen before and then there was those that I hadn't. It doesn't matter if we seen the cars before or not, I always marvel at the shape the owners keep their cars in. Their cars put my junk yard dog to shame but I love my car just as much as they love theirs.

There were three who represented the tri communities and who were the backbone to this great British Car show, Mayor David Hanson, Pierre LaMonde and Barry Glencross. These three gentlemen did a fantastic job in promoting the area and the show and I am sure there were others behind the scenes that I should mention but I don't have their names. All who had their hands into this deserve a pat on the back for a job well done.

Returning back to our great motel  after the meet and greet, it was time to wash off 6 days of road dirt from the Gaspe cars. Don is always so eager to help, below he is giving Carol a hand. Even after all the miles we drove the Healey still looks stunning, dirty. Haylett's Healey always looks amazing as well, maybe it's the body lines but regardless, clean or dirty these cars look amazing, it's no wonder these cars attract attention wherever they go.

Now some of us ate at the meet and greet and some of us didn't, so a run to a local restaurant was in order. GK's Wharfside Family Restaurant was the place to be. The staff here treated us very, very well. Here is one of those stops where you barely made it back to the car you were so full. I think the BCCCB should write up a "Where To Eat" Guide. This place would have a 5 star rating.

Nothing like a good breakfast to start your day. Paula and I left early to secure a table at GKs restaurant but we were to early, the restaurant was closed. We then decided on another spot up the road were we enjoyed the the company of Preston and Betty Anne Smith. What a wonderful chat with some great people. Their MGB LE looks amazing, as it turns out their room was directly across the hall from us. These cars sure bring a lot of people together. Strangers one moment and friends the next. The rest of the BCCCB did get into GKs restaurant, it opened a few minutes after we left. Now it's time to hit the field.

Site preparation is so important for both comfort and display. I made a little error in placement, I was thinking that there would be more cars and we setup separate from the others. I figured when the rest of the cars come we would be sitting pretty. Oh well, we had to settle for sitting separate, it wasn't so bad, we had the breeze from the water keeping us cool. All hands on deck setting things up.... Where's the guys? Carol and Sandy carried the picnic table from down the field to behind our cars. Yes that's right, I stood by with the camera and watched them do it but I was putting up the banner and just happened to see them from the corner of my eye. Site is set now lets prep the cars.

  It didn't take much to prep them, all the cars of the BCCCB look amazing, so much so that a guy wanted to buy Peter's Jag and he had a hard time excepting that Peter said no.  Of course it didn't help matters that Don placed a for sale sign on Peter's windshield. LOL I was ready to cut a check myself.

Everyone is ready and the gates for the public were opened. The car count was just over 40 and I am sure the public had a eye full. I am not sure what the others did but if a family came over for a look at the cars, the kids had the opportunity to sit in the cars and most parents took pictures of them behind the wheel of a great looking British Car.

Sit talk and laugh is the norm at these events, oh and eat as well. the BBQs were again set up and beer was served in the screened in building. The perfect Venue I thought. I didn't need to bring my beer cooler here.

Ed and Nicole Saulnier, Father and daughter team, entertained us all afternoon, the air was full of music and made for a very pleasant afternoon indeed. The following 7 photos after that are of cars I don't remember seeing before. Man what a show it would be if all the British cars from the Maritimes and surrounding areas got together. The biggest show I was ever at was in Stowe Vermont, I know we have the same numbers in eastern Canada, we just all have to get together at once.

   Later in  the day this stunning looking Jag  rolled in, no show tag on the windshield to identify it, I am going to have to look this one up, this car is amazing. This has to be $100,000.00 car, there wasn't a lick of dirt anywhere and all was flawless. I asked if it was a Barrett Jackson car, he said no. He said he would love to tell me what he paid for it but his wife was within an earshot and she would kill him.... I have a feeling he is right.

Banquet time! The banquet was held at the Rexton Lions club and you never know what things will be like until you get there. I am not sure of the amount of people who had supper here but it looked like everyone who participated in the show came here. Plenty of elbow room and the atmosphere here was so friendly. Pierre LeMonde stated in his speech that this was more of a fun event and that is all he wanted us to do... is have fun. He didn't have to tell us twice because we sure had fun. Everything was perfect and very enjoyable.

Again we were entertained by Nicole Saulnier and her Father Ed Saulnier at the Banquet. What a great duet, I love listening to this type of music, it sure beats some of the music we hear lately. I know the fiddle is hard to learn and Nicole has it down pat. I know the rest of the crowd enjoyed the background music, I heard comments.... Great job!

The crowd trickled in while we enjoyed a refreshing drink and shortly afterwards the staff started to serve a garden salad. Nice, very nice. Pierre gave his speech and directed us how we were to be served. The Cape Breton Table was first... lol. The guys made a mad dash for the counter nearly knocking over the women. I, being the gentleman that I am, waited for our lovely ladies to get in line a head of me. Paula said "If your mother was here she would be very proud of you right now". Don was first in line with his ravenous appetite and yet he sat the furthest away from the counter. I am sure I heard the word GERONIMO! 

Well.... if you walked away from this banquet hungry, you best go see a doctor. Our plates were full and so was our bellies. You had a choice of turkey or Roast Beef and there were generous portions of everything. Pierre thanked the staff from the Rexton Lion's Club for a job well done but now it's the BCCCBs turn. Guys if you read this, you did one heck of a job and our bellies thank you.  Time for the awards I am not sure what the award was for, people's choice or participants award but Jerry Hull's Healey was the winner. All the Healeys were winners in my eyes but for some reason Jerry's stood out a little more. Congratulations Jerry.

Very nice awards were presented and yes I want one. The competition is fierce to say the least, the winner's car are always amazing looking, as if they were just driven out of the factory's doors. Below you see Sherry Alders and her Husband Curry receiving the Mayor's award for their great looking Jaguar XKE.

I forget the name of the gentleman and his wife in the first photo but they won a prize for their stunning T-car, a prize well deserved. The following photo is of Jen Steves and her husband Todd. Jen and I had emailed a few times concerning this show, it was a stopover on there Maritime tour. Jen and Todd in their car and Tony and Bev in their car made the trek from Ontario. Their award is for long distance and little did Pierre, the presenter know, there long distance wasn't over yet. The Ontario 4 wanted to do the Cabot Trail before returning and they wanted to follow us into Cape Breton, they did just that and with a little side trip to boot.

Breakast the next morning and again the BCCCBers were first on hand when food was being served, you would swear we were starving. Ron and his lovely wife from B.A.T.A.N.S. noticed we were first fed the night before and joined us for breakfast hoping they also would be one of the first fed... and they were. Ron is a great guy who kept us laughing and it was a pleasure have him and his wife joining us. Ron, if you read this, on our home page, click on the membership application and send it along... lol.

The expression on Sandy's face says it all.... How in the hell am I going to eat all this. For $5 they covered all the breakfast food groups. Eggs, Bacon, Beans, Biscuits, flap jacks, toast, tea, coffee and juice. Peter being a take charge kind of guy seen that more coffee was needed at our table, he jumped up and retrieved the coffee pot and began to pour. Me, not wishing to be out done, did the same. I may have been pushed into it by Paula, because she said "I need tea hun". If Paula is happy my life is so much easier so 15 minutes later I followed Peter's lead. Folks, this was a great show. We were treated like gold everywhere we went in this beautiful Acadian Country, my only regret was that we didn't do the rally Friday. The drive would have taken us to places we didn't see and I hate to miss anything. Next year we'll be there.

On the way home, Nina had suggested we stop by their cottage for a tea and a stretch, what a great idea. Turning off at the P.E.I. Ferry turnoff, Haylett took the lead. We drove over a very windy road to reach their cottage and in hindsight.... I should have dropped bread crumbs to find our way back. Not a problem, when we left Carol the navigator lead the way. What a beautiful spot Haylett and Nina have, from their balcony you can see the Northumberland strait. What a spot to sip a tea and stretch.

Literally stretch that is. Todd had troubles with his sciatic nerve and a stretching exercise I use, he tried. I am not sure if it helped but I did say he and Jen were going on the web doing this, so here it is. Nina and Haylett's hospitality is always so welcoming, cake and cookies were available along with tea. I am sure they were as tired as the rest of us but they still found time to entertain us.

A view of the cars from the patio overlooking the cars on Haylett's beautiful lawn.  

Time to part ways. Saying goodbye to the crew from Ontario in Baddeck, we all headed in our own direction at our own pace. Don, Carol, Paula and myself stopped for supper at the Cedar House because we were just to tired to cook something up.  Man what a trip.

The odometer keeps clicking off the miles and in the 15 years I had my car, most of the miles were BCCCB adventurous miles. I have gone places and seen things as well as met great people that I never would have if it wasn't for the BCCCB and the end is nowhere in sight. From Vermont to the Gaspe and many many destinations in between, where the heck will we wind up next. Again, if you weren't there you missed it. Come alone next time.