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East Tour Diary Day 14

At morning class at 8.05am on the bus we were advised that teams Jura and Bruichladdich would be dropped off at Carleton curling club for their game and lunch with Fettercairn and Dalmore going on to Hampton curling club for their game and lunch. The bus will return to Carleton before going on to Heather curling club for our game and banquet, thereafter going to our hotel at Fredericton. There will be no bus tomorrow as Bob requires to take a day off. The Sherrif issued fines to several including himself for appearing at breakfast without the Tammie, before awarding the Tammie to captain Dougie and team of the day to Jura organiser Ron Hutton welcomed the teams to Carleton a three sheet ice hall, which has a sand based ice pad which is looked after by Dale Price. Carleton are proud of their history in partular the fact that they hosted the first Strathcona tour in 1903. They have 150 members with an active juniors and learn to play programmes, including Broom and Brews where people pay $20 to sample ales from a craft brewery and then play a four end game. We were piped on to the ice by member Brittany Maston , with George Paterson and Ron Hutton as flag bearers and then sang Flower of Scotland. Jura lost by 2 shots but Bruichladdich recorded a good 6 shot win which included a steal of four on the last end. President Alicia Love formally welcomed us and then we sat down to an excellent lunch of soup, sandwiches and cakes prepared and served by member Marc Leblanc with Connie Bartlett managing the bar. The bus returned from Hampton where on a very cold ice hall Fettercairn and Dalmore came away with an overall 2 shots up.
We then set off for the three shot game against Heather curling club, St. Andrew’s who were hosting for the first time and were welcomed by organiser Sue Verner. We were piped onto the ice and again sang Flower of Scotland which was recorded by a local TV station, which also recorded part of the games, recorded an interview with Dave McKay and all watched by a goodly crowd. This was an amazing response from a club with only 70 members. For the first time we managed to record wins in all three games, in part due to strengthening Jura and Dalmore who both recorded good wins and Tamnavulin winning by 1 shot. The excellent ice was provided by Verne and the whole afternoon overseen by manager Roger McNab. The club was formed in 1922 and have recently had belated celebrations for 100 years of curling Drinks, nibbles and chat followed before sitting down to a sumptuous meal provided by chef Alex Haun. Mayor Henderson formally welcomed us followed by grace given by captain Reid. The vote of thanks was given by George Paterson. John Henderson presented the mayor with one of his ice shirts and then we bid our farewells and set off to our hotel in St. John.