gramblor Build

The Unsinkable Ship

19495625_10155262071225953_1675489875_o
In February 1912, prior to the maiden voyage of the Titanic, one Toronto newspaper had two advertisements side by side – one for the White Star Line’s RMS Titanic, and right next to it was for the Cunard’s RMS Carpathia. The Carpathia was the ship that ended up rescuing more than 700 survivors from the Titanic’s wreckage.

Although it may seem an odd choice for a blog featuring items related to Canadian history and culture, the Titanic does indeed hold a spot in the nation’s history. Ben MacLeod, of Tyne Valley, Prince Edward Island, knew as much, and spent about 2000 hours over 3 years and used over 125000 LEGO pieces to put together this monstrous model of the ill-fated vessel. The final piece spans just shy of 3 meters in length, half a meter in width, and three quarters of a meter tall, with a remarkable level of intricacy and detail including engine rooms, turbines, dining halls, and guest cabins.

Continue reading “The Unsinkable Ship” →

gramblor Build

A Beacon on the Water

img_3893
You can almost smell the salt-air rising up from the waves crashing on the rocks in this build.. or is that the scent coming off of the beard of the lighthouse keeper?

With the Canadian motto of a mare usque ad mare,  translated as from sea to sea, it should come as no surprise that lighthouses would play a prominent role in defining Canadian identity. Canada’s history is one tied deeply with mariners, fishermen, and sea travelers, so it is no wonder then that Rocco Nufrio of ToroLUG decided to build this beautiful little diorama.  The style of the building itself is quite engaging, but it is the landscape that really brings the piece together, and the pair of seagulls, circling the beacon suspended by two transparent arms, is also a very nice touch!

Continue reading “A Beacon on the Water” →

gramblor Build

A Great Way to Break the Ice

Icebreaker
The Canadian Coast Guard Ship light icebreakers currently in service are lead by the CCGS Martha L. Black, which is named after the renowned “first lady of the Yukon,” who was the second woman ever nominated to Canadian Parliament

One of Canada’s points of pride is our ability to not only endure cold weather, but to embrace and conquer the cold.  Although it is estimated that over 75 percent of Canada’s population lives within 160km of the border with the USA, there is still a great deal of the population that lives in the far north.  In order to serve these northern communities who are often isolated in frozen environments, the Canadian Coast Guard has a fleet of icebreakers stationed across the east coast, including: Ontario; Quebec; Nova Scotia; and Newfoundland and Labrador.Adam Dodge of SLUG (and one of the coordinators of the Canada Buidls 150 project) has assembled a wonderful vignette that really makes you feel the icy environs surrounding it.

Continue reading “A Great Way to Break the Ice” →