canuck

No Connie, I'm a Burlington Ontario Canuck!

Happy Birthday to Jock Watt in Oz -- It's a long way from Laurel Avenue! 75 years is a significant milestone, keep healthy.

Scotty, never felt unsafe in Toronto, for anybody planning a visit don't be concerned about crime figures, for a large City it ia probably safer than most. As you mentioned Highway #401 which connects Montreal to Windsor through Toronto is reputedly the World's busiest, I had to drive it for 27 years, this is the one thing that I certainly do not miss since retirement, in retrospect, I don't know how I managed it! It is a beautiful city and the skyline at night is breathtaking. The theatre district, the shows, entertainment,places of interest and dining is excellent. For non residents The Air Canada Centre is the home of the famous Toronto Maple Leafs ice hockey team (not Maple laughs) who, in the not too distant future are going to win the coveted Stanley Cup, slightly overdue since they hav'nt won it since 1967! Many people move out to the suburbs where house prices and property taxes are much lower, for example , Burlington, where I stay has a population of 165,000 with very little industry, most people commute into the big Cities of Toronto, Mississauga and Hamilton. What area do you live in Scotty? thats a helluva distance to travel to and from work every day. I would like to meet you sometime next year, maybe have a couple of pints, once we get over the Winter, meantime as far as the Leafs are concerned -- keep believing.

Eliza. Got off with a slap on the wrist for getting our fishing locations ''mixed up!!!'' Unfortunately I had to leave a nice size fish hidden when the game keeper and Polis appeared over the horizon, apparently where Bobby had parked his car was a dead giveaway.The Copper was an Inverness Lad (I forget his name)who also frequented the Gellions, as soon as he recognized us- he had to hold back the laughter! I will be arriving at Glasgow Airport early Wed. 16th April, will be going directly to Ayr to spend a couple of days with my Brother.We will travel up to Inverness on Friday evening for the big Family celebration (my Sister and Husband's 50th. wedding anniversary) on Sat 19th. Hope Caley Thistle are at ''home'' on that date as I would love to watch them, unfortunately as that date is after the ''split" there is no way of knowing where they will be. I, too am looking forward to reminiscing over past times, a lot of water has passed under the Bridge in the last 32 years! Thanks for calling me a fine, upstanding person - are you sure you are talking about me? you did'nt always think that!

Jock, please read my reply #36 under Highland League Legends (memories section) Bobby Bolt Jr. retired from Highland Printers a number of years ago, he did a lot of part time bouncer work for many years, at present I believe he is driving a taxi in the town. I heard from a mutual acquaintance a few months ago that he was diagnosed with some, debilitating illness (early stages) I recall many moons ago Bobby and I spent an afternoon in the Beauly Police Station after being caught red handed by a game keeper poaching for trout at a local ''stocked'' pond!

Emigrated to Canada in 1977 at the age of 31 years (and single) the most difficult choice I had to make in my life as I was very ''set in my ways.'' Left a good social life (often too good) the best friends and family in the world. It was ''touch and go'' whether I was going to board that plane at Prestwick Airport, plus the fact that I was nursing one **** of a hang-over did'nt help! I still miss friends and family, the social life, the football (almost said soccer) but all things being equal I believe I made the right choice to come over here.I keep in touch with all that's going on back ''home,'' friends and family come over for visits and I try to get back every few years,in fact I am booked to fly back next April when I hope to meet some of the users of this site and some old acquaintances, and of course take in a game or two. I live in a city called Burlington, Ontario population 165,000, just over half an hour's drive to Toronto and the same distance the other direction to Niagara Falls and the big U.S.A. I have travelled a lot within this huge Country and am familiar with Victoria (home of Alistair) Vancouver (Scarlet Pimpernel) Ottawa (Glebeict) and Nova Scotia (Canada Bob) I hope to contact Scotty next year and raise a glass or three prior to a game in Toronto after all I believe he and I were near neighbours when he lived in Hawthorne Drive, just around the corner from me when I stayed in lilac Grove. It is difficult to compare living here opposed to back ''home'' as everything is different, both have good and bad points, personally I have no regrets and although I prefer living here I'm sure it would'nt suit everybody. It is a wonderful Country to visit for a holiday(almost said vacation) people from the U.K. would find the prices of most items much cheaper than home. If any of our ''users'' ever plan a visit and would like to know more about what to do or where to go I would be happy to help, just send me a message.

Wyness Legend, Pele Is God, blackieforce, Charles Bannerman and Canuck.

I remember the Beast, Jane Russell, Happy Harry, Horny Art, Horny Geog, Titless, Frozen Face, Fatty Cameron, Arthur Askey and Bulldog. I wish I could say happy days - God how I hated School!!!

Congratulations Tommy Cumming - nice to hear good news for a change. Hopefully I will get a chance to congratulate you in person when I come over in April. Well done! could'nt happen to a nicer guy. L G, will you please see Tommy gets this message? I believe he is a neighbour of yours. thanks.

You tell 'em Eliza!! Sounds like the organization has a real communication problem, all this on top of all the ''on field'' disappointments/ lack of discipline, fans second guessing management, a high profile court appearance and shambolic, laughable stewarding. Please note that I am not being too long winded, perhaps that may change next year when I reach your age!!

Well done! for someone who does'nt really play the game of golf, an excellent achievement. Hope it encourages you to ''get out'' more often. Canuck.

Right on davieB! R

1) Get some lessons! 2) Hit the driving range/ practice facility! 3)Take a bucket and spade to build sandcastles if you can't get out of the bunkers! Maybe a stepladder also! 4)Pray for nice weather!no wind! 5)After tou wash your balls. take plenty with you! 6)Don't take it too seriously!Don't worry about your score. 7) Be thankful it's a ''freebee'' 8) Most importantly, KEEP THE HEID DOON! Enjoy your outing, wish I could join you. don't forget the most important hole is the 19th. something tells me you will be ready for it!!!

Having read so much about Marius and so many different points of view I will have the chance to watch him for the first time on Saturday against the 'Gers on Setanta. Obviously, realistically, one would have expected him to hit the net by now especially against some of the ''minnows'' but before someone replies to me telling me I should'nt voice any opinion never having seen him play, cardboard cut - out supporter etc. I shall be watching him very carefully and will forward my unbiased opinion after the game. Note that I refrained from mentioning his salary!

Arguably Caley's finest team, however not many of our ''users'' ever watched them play - unless over the age of 65! I remember Frankie MacBeath on the right wing but all the others' careers had ended by the time I frequented Telford St. Bruce. MacGillivary. Galloway. Bolt. MacKinnon. Fraser (stootie) MacBeath. Jamieson. Mitchell. Mac Kenzie. Fraser ( Ernie) I think Frankie MacBeath was one of the finest ''crossers of a ball'' I have ever seen - at any level of football.

Eliza. I vaguely remember Davie Reid. with his straight, black, combed over to the side brylcroomed hair. He could run for 90 minutes and was a nightmare for any centre- half! S.P. ''Old'' Bobby Bolt was indeed a wing half for Caley. I never saw him play with Peter MacKinnon but believe it was a formidable team. I remember Bobby as the Caley Trainer after his playing days. I was told a true story about Peter - when asked about his training methods, he replied ''I train on nips and pints!'' I did'nt think Jimmy (jumbo) Smith played in goal quite that early! Jim's wife is a cousin of a friend of mine, when my friend and his wife visited me about 20 years ago we enjoyed a wonderful day with the Smiths at their beautiful home in Oakville Ontario (about 15 mins. drive from my house) they made us very welcome and enjoyed a swim in their pool. Jimmy showed me his scrap books!!! I was ''in my element'' it was quite a collection, a real football history, for as you know Jumbo was the Caley 'keeper for many years. I have ''bumped into them'' a couple of times since at our local Costco Store, it certainly is a small world! ''Young'' Bobby Bolt (probably in his 70's now) Did indeed play centre half for Caley and I believe Nairn County.He finished his playing days with both Gellions teams, Gellions and Bribge Street in the Welfare Leagues.Happy days! Yes S.P. Vancouver Island is a huge and very beautiful place, as is most of British Columbia. Pleased to know you enjoyed your vist to the Island, it holds happy memories for me also. Some parts of Ontario are beautiful but nothing - in my opinion - can compare to B.C. and The Rockies, although Newfoundland comes close. Better stop ''ranting'' hope I.C.T. gets 3 points tomorrow, will be glued to the computer, Canuck.

As an ex-postie (albeit many moons ago) I am interested in the mail strike.What are the issues? I remember having to work overtime to earn a decent wage and the biggest'' kicker''was working every Saturday, especially when most people were on a five day week. It was a real ''bummer'' coming off the ''Strath'' dance bus, going home, getting changed and going to deliver Her Majesty's Mail every Saturday morning. As far as I know they still work a six day week. I know their pension plan was very poor also. Their extremely unsocial hours, both in the dayshift and evening shifts would'nt suit too many. There are, I am sure some ''plusses'' but possibly outnumbered. Could somebody please enlighten me? What was the strike vote? Do they have a history of bad Management/ Union relations? Is the Union too militant? Are they demanding too much? Is the Corporation looking for cut-backs/concessions? Who holds the ''high cards?'' I know we have some ex Union officials who are regular users of this site, maybe they could ''shed some light'' and hopefully not too biased! I am interested to know why they went out as I was one who ''downed tools'' during the strike in the late 1960's. If I remember correctly we had to go back with little or no gains. Hopefully it will end soon with minimal disruption.

Words cannot explain how much I enjoy this site! if I replied to all the entries that I recognize and remember I would be on this computer for hours and definately have a callus on my right finger (singular!) Eliza I remember you very well, I am still in contact with our mutual friend. It is hard to believe it was in the mid 70's when we shared the same social circle. Incidentally I was at the same game when Jimmy Davidson continued playing with the severe head injury - what a change from modern day players (actors) I still love the game of football and the era whilst playing for the Gellions at the Bught (and in Spain)are days I will never forget. Ed Waiter,We find out that through corresponding to this site we realized that I was best man at your wedding! and now have made contact after ''losing touch'' for about 35 years! Who is going to ''turn up'' next?' I will be coming ''home'' around the middle of April 2008 for a family celebration, hopefully I will get to meet many of our users either before a game at the '' Innes'' (where incidentally, Tommy Cumming and I played for the same domino team for years) or at a game, home or away. I will ask my Niece L.G. to be kind enough to set something up.

Charles, Lilac Grove was built by the Scottish Housing Development in 1951/2. We were the first occupants of #20 in 1952. Hawthorn Drive was possibly built prior to 1951. Other characters who lived in ''The Grove"either mentioned in your book or on this website include Mike Shewan, Rod ''the mod'' Mac Donald, Lawrence Spence. Charlie Cuthbert, Jimmy (Hutchie) Hutchison. Bobby Noble and last but by no means least - Danny and Vicky Fridge.

I remember the Muirtown Motel very well, a lovely young lady called Liz ( I don't want to mention her surname) also worked part- time in the bar. I found out a couple of years ago that one of her workmates at her present full- time job has a brother who emigrated to Canada, and in fact worked with me directly at Boeing Toronto, small world! John Pirie was indeed the name of the man at the turnstiles at Telford St. park. I worked with him for many years as a ''postie'' I remember him as being Caley and Rangers ''daft!''

At the other side of the Telford St. Bridge, behind the prefabs was the ''Lion's Gatie'' or'' Tarnies'' where we used to knock the ''chessies'' off the trees and build tree forts. It was a wonderful place to play war games or cowboys and indians - very popular spot for us Dalneigh kids. I'm sure Jock Watt, Alex Mabon and some of our older ''users'' will remember the "lion's Gatie""

How many of our ''users'' remember the old Canning Factory on Telford St?

Postie in Inverness to Maintenance Manager, Boeing Toronto LTD (with a few detours along the way)

Also on Greig St. was ''Scotty''the barber's shop, he was always good for a few jokes.His shop was at the bottom of Greig St. next to where Tait Grant's shop used to be. Scotty and his wife lived in Wells St.

Used to enjoy going to the Washington Soda Fountain restaurant in the early 60's, placing the coke bottle into the slot of the cooler machine, pulling the handle and removing a ''freezing cold one'' Great juke box, wonderful songs, still my favourite musical era. Being an old ex. postie working out of old H.Q in Queensgate most of us ate breakfast in the Locarno Cafe, using the market entrance across from the music shop, their filled rolls and cream doughnuts were wonderful. I can still picture Renzo (the owner) Jean, who I believe was the manageress and the very likeable Olga working like crazy- it was a very busy, popular place.