It is almost sad to hear the joyous bark of A Series engines as they come to life this morning. After all it is time to move on and head home. Mini Meet East 2000 has been a wonderful event, well organized, friendly, low-key but with exciting events and...great people! For example, Andy Vanko of DeKalb, Illinois sought us out to make a donation to 'Wheels for Wheels'. His wife has MS and needs a wheel chair on not so good days and he wants to help too!

We have business to attend to in Montreal, almost certainly the #3 exhaust valve has burned out. So we limp into the Montreal island suburb of Ile Bizard and the home of Mainly Minis and MME 2000 leaders Debbie Bolton-Degauque and Keith Degauque to effect repairs. Although he must have been tired, Keith D. jumps to moving various Minis, including the Silver Bullet, and gets Pooh into his shop. There, nose to nose with Keith's GT5 race car, off comes the head. Everything looks good except #3 exhaust valve, which is burned out.

A special Mini Meet guest and at Debbie and Keith's home is Keith 'The Knowledge' Calver of Mini Magazine, Mini Spares and Mintec. He too pitches in as a commentator as the head work proceeds. Keith C. is a pleasure to visit with as Keith D. quickly laps in a new valve and reassembles the head and ancillaries. Elaine settles accounts with Debbie. Happy to be on our way, Debbie and Keith can resume their well deserved wind down from the Meet's responsibilities and time with guests.

We are off to Quebec City by the north shore of the St. Lawrence River on Hwy. 40, arriving late to Au Petit Hotel inside the walled upper town. The delightful little hotel provides an excellent room and welcome bed after a long day