Shelton

About a dozen CVBMC members’ cars gathered at the Four Brothers station in Wilkesboro and caravanned to Shelton Vineyard for “The Gathering”. This show, put on annually by the Triumph Club of the Carolinas, is the largest British car show in the Southeast. This year the uncertain weather forecast reduced attendance from last year. That didn’t affect our enjoyment of the day. As has become our custom, we commandeered a picnic table and set up “Camp CVBMC” alongside the creek in front of the winery. Everyone brings food to share and enjoy. Oh yeah, we also venture out to look at the cars on display.

This year the Gregory’s took home a First Place Plaque in the “Other Triumph” class for their Harold. The rain held off long enough for them to receive the award – barely, and then it poured. We left earlier headed for Lenoir and avoided the downpour though we did get sprinkled upon. Good timing.

Shelby

The Broad River European Classic car show is held in Shelby and features marques from many European countries. This year there were cars from Britain, Italy and Germany. The cars are displayed on the streets next to the old Cleveland County Courthouse which now houses the Earl Scruggs Center--"Music & Stories from the American South" which opened in 2014. The tree shaded streets provide a pleasant venue and there are a number of shops to peruse and enjoy as well as vendors set up on the Courthouse grounds. After all, man can’t live on cars alone.

We opted for lunch in one of the local restaurants and returned to the Ahrendt’s TC. We visited with friends and others who passed by while waiting for the door prize drawings and awards to be presented. The Ahrendt’s TC placed second in their class which included T-Series and MGBs bracketing MGAs which were the other MG class.

The drive home included a quest for fresh strawberries, the season having just begun. At the first stop we were greeted with a “Sold Out for today” sign. At the second – and last opportunity on the route – we found two large containers. One for Dave & Kathy and one for us. Success and good timing again.