There can be few British transport enthusiasts who're unaware that yesterday was a significant one in terms of Malta. For many years interested parties from all over the globe converged on the little Island to witness the incredible variety of buses to be found there, most of which had seen service in a past life in the UK. The legendary Maltese engineering prowess had transformed many of them into something quite different, often they'd successfully persevered with several types which had been unloved in their country of origin. Over night (3rd- 4th July 2011) the old order was unceremoniously swept away, the yellow route buses being replaced by a system franchised to Arriva with largely Chinese built vehicles. I'm sure debates will rage for months to come regarding the pros and cons of either system, but from an enthusiast point of view the country will be much the poorer as Malta's transport becomes as bland and 'plastic' as everyone else's within Europe. The picture above was taken in February 2011 at Bugibba's bus station where works to accommodate the new service and it's buses were in hand. A reminder of the type of thing the country's seen fit to jettison here with the traditional lines of the Maltese bus represented by FBY 663 on the right, and much modified Ex London Transport AEC Swift EBY 576 on the left.

Riding the broad shoulders of Clyde "The Glide" Drexler, ably backed up by Buck Williams, left, and Jerome "Romeo" Kersey--Portland won the Western Championship before falling to the Pistons. This week, the Blazers announced that their Number One draft pick, Greg Oden, will be out for the season with a knee injury. Hopes for a resurgence had been high with the signing of Oden, and Blazer marketing promoted those dreams, but once again, the franchise finds itself backpedaling into a corner. Everyone recalls those Glory Days of Clyde and Buck, Jerome and Terry. We all loved Kevin "the Duck" Duckworth, and the fiery Danny "Strange" Ainge. As Portland's only major league sports franchise, the "Rip City" is forever poised to renew their love affair with the team, but it continues to feel like a slow motion car wreck, or a blind date with an "ex" that ends in a handshake.