Toronto Maple Leafs ....

.... of long, long ago!

There is curly headed, unhelmeted Daryl Sittler.

The Captain, number 27

jumping over the boards on a flying change.

Oh, did we love them!

Isn't this "Wendel Clark" 

throwing himself into the fray?

Here they are: The goalies:

Johnny Bower and Terry Sawchuck.

I remember them all !

In flesh and blood. 

Those were the days of 

one Stanley Cup after the other

Today we have to be satisfied

with their figures made of Bronze.

Bertstravels

remembers the "good old days"

Europe! Where goest thou?

Exactly 30 years ago, today, the "Iron Curtain" between Austria and Hungary came down. 
It signaled, unmistakably the End of the East-Block. 
All the countries, enslaved by Russian Imperialism of the Communist Variety, threw off their shackles and embraced various  forms of Democracy.
The actual and official date of this demise is pegged as the 19th August 1989.
Slowly but surely country after country, even the staunchest Communist enclave, East Germany, decided to accept a free way of life. 
It was not always easy, but the struggle continued as countries fought their way out of Russian dictatorship, sometimes violently and with much loss of blood.
The American author, James Michener, described the fate of many Hungarians fleeing from Hungary into Austria in his book: 
"The Bridge of Andau."
A small, rickety wooden bridge, but it offered freedom for thousands who were welcomed by the population of a more fortunate Austria.

What has become of Hungary, and several other countries of the then "East Block?"
Besides Hungary, there is Poland, The Czech Republic, Estonia who are moving further and further to the Right of the political spectrum.
There are several other European countries, where right wing parties have gained more and more influence: Italy, France, Denmark and Austria, to name but a few. 
Fortunately, those are still nominally "democratic" since they have free elections and to varying degrees they preserve the right of assembly and a free press.
But "the Far Right" is working hard to change this fundamentally.

Only the Future will tell.

Bertstravels
for now, will keep it a secret.

Roses and Roses and Roses

This is where I live.

At Arowhon Pines

This is not just a sign at the entrance to the Arowhon Pines.

This is the feeling you get as soon as you arrive.

The Dining Room, from the outside and from within.

An area where the finest foods are served.

Impeccably prepared,

  Impeccably presented.

Even a red umbrella reflected in green waters

is an adventure to behold.

10 strokes with your paddle

and this is what you experience.

The "Painted Turtle" (above)

This is "the magician" ...(below)

the Chef, who performs culinary miracles

which makes your mouth water, 

just at the thought about the next meal.

a staff, more lovely, more efficient 

and friendlier is hard to imagine.

                                    Three happy campers.

... and this is the lady, who holds it all together
and makes it all happen, from day, to glorious day.

Big Flower and a Bug

There isn't much to say!

it's just a "Big Flower and a Bug"

Toronto City Hall

Below: 

 Canada Sign near CN Tower

Toronto - World of Highrise

I come to Toronto once a year

and each year I feel like a country bumpkin

for the first time in "the Big City!"

New high rises reach for the sky 

and force you to crane your neck.

These, shown here, are just a few of them

Imaginative shapes 

and adventurous styles

make you look at them time and again. 

A great arrangement of balconies.

The Old Royal York Hotel, once one of the tallest buildings, 

is now dwarfed  by surrounding high rises