Holding hands

This card is completely blank. I don't know anything about it, but I think it is beautiful. So much is said in that very simple image.

Michigan

Sent to me inside a book in 2004.

Greetings from Michigan.
Nickname: The Wolverine State
1995 population 9,295,296.
Area in square miles: 56,959.
Entered the Union: January 26, 1837.

I find I recognise many of the place names, including Mackinac Island. A few months ago, in a very untimely way, I posted a card showing autumn colours.

Genoa again

Two cards for Ludovico!

A card bought when on holiday August 1993. It was never posted. There is no explanation on the back about any of the pictures.

This card was bought at the same time as the previous one. It shows the sea fromt at Nervi. The promenade provides a lovelywalk along the coast.

HMS Victory

Postmarked Gosport, dated 7 april 1982.

H.M.S. Victory

HMS Victory was launched in 1765 at Chatham Dockyard and was commissioned in 1778. She continued in active service for the next 34 years which included her most famous moment-the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. In 1812 the Victory was retired from frontline duty and anchored in Portsmouth Harbour, on the south coast of England. For the next 110 years the Victory remained at her moorings in Portsmouth Harbour fulfilling a combination of practical and ceremonial roles. In 1922, amid fears for her continued survival, the Victory was moved into Portsmouth's Royal Naval Dockyard and placed in No2 Dry Dock. Work then began on restoring the Victory to her 'fighting' 1805 condition and continues today.

She's a beautiful ship, and worth a visit, especially as HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose are in the same place.

Barcelona

Postmarked Barcelona and dated 13 April 1983.

Barcelona no. 071
Plaza de toros Monumental

The bull ring (link in Spanish) in Barcelona was built in 1914 as the Plaza de Sport, renamed Monumental in 1916 and expanded to take 20, 000 spectators.

Monaco cathedral

Postmarked Monte Carlo, Pté de Monaco, dated 18 May 1979.

Monaco - Principauté de Monaco
La Cathédrale

Monaco is a tiny sovereign state on the Mediterranean coast, at the south east of France, close to Italy. Apart from the sea, it is entirely surrounded by France. The Grimaldi family has ruled over Monaco since 1297. It is the world's most densely populated country and the smallest French speaking state.

In the past there were 3 communes or wards: Monaco-ville (the old city), Monte Carlo and La Condamine. These last two have been since added to and sub-divided so that there are now 10 communes.

Jungfrau

Never posted. Bought January 1992.

Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera/Switzerland
Jungfrau 4158 m im Abendrot
(Berner Oberland)

The Jungfrau in a red evening sunset.

The Jungfrau is the highest peak in the Berner Oberland region of the Swiss Alps. It now has a railway running inside it, the Jungfraubahn cog railway, which goes to the highest railway station in Europe, the Junfraujoch.

This card was bought by my younger son when he went on a school ski trip. We were in Paris at the time. I had to get him to school by 6:00 am, return home, leave the car there and catch a bus to the Métro, go to the Gare du Nord and catch a train to Calais. Cross to Dover and catch a train to London, then another to Southampton in time to see my older son swim in some important competition that evening. I can't remember the reasoning behind the logistics, but it must have been the only way I could get there in time - it was pre- cheap flights, and pre-TGV. All I can remember is complete and utter exhaustion.

Genoa

 

Never posted. Bought August 1993.

Genova - Nervi
Porticciolo

I bought this when we stayed overnight in Genoa on the way to Florence. Genoa itself is quite an amazing place, or was. It was like walking back into medieval times. Nervi is slightly further along the coast, also very ancient. It has a wonderful promenade following the coast and clinging to the cliffs at some points. The scenery is spectacular.

Postmarked Genova Ferrovia, and dated 17 November 1917.

"TO THE VALIANT ENGLISH BROTHERS OUR WELCOME"
Ansaldo's Direction and Staff
San Pier d'Arena, Novembre 1917

San Pier d'Arena is now Sampierdarena and an area of Genoa. The Ansaldo ship-building and armaments company was the probably the most important industrial activity in the town. The message on the card reads:

Dear Mum & Elsie
I am in best of health and going on great.
From Sidder

Counting your luck

The stamp from this card has unfortunately been removed, so obliterating both postmark and date. A little detective work places it during World War I. The message mentions Davington Station (Faversham, Kent) which closed at the end of that war, and "Ern's 6 days' leave".

Why Gert, the writer of the card, would send this particular one to her friend Elsie to arrange a meeting, I really don't know. It may have had a hidden meaning for them, who knows?

Chatsworth

Postmarked Buxton, dated 10 August 2006.

Chatsworth and the River Derwent from the west, 1828, by William Cowen (1791 - 1864)
Devonshire Collection, Chatsworth, Derbyshire.
Chatsworth, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.

Chatsworth House has been voted the UK's favourite country house several times and the gardens are famous. Although building of this mansion was started in 1553, the estate has a history going back to Anglo-Saxon days.

The house featured in the film version of Pride and Prejudice as Pemberley, Mr Darcy's home.

Heidelberg Schloss

Never posted. Bought while on holiday, July 1992.

Heidelberg, stadt der Geschichte, Wissenschaft und Kunst.
Heidelberg, city of history, science and art.
Schloss und Altstadt
Castle and old town.

 Heidelberg is part of a densely populated region known as the Rhein-Neckar-Triangle and lies on the river Neckar. The castle of today was built in 1537 on the site of an older one destroyed in a gunpowder explosion.

Dartmoor

Postmark illegible, dated 21 May 1997.

Dartmoor: the mysterious windswept hills of Devon, climbing to over 2,000 feet above sea level, are a paradise for those who wish to leave the turmoil of modern modern civilisation behind for a while. Picturesque granite-built villages nestle in folds of the moor, such as Widecombe, made famous in song, and antiquities, hut circles and clapper bridges abound. Dartmoor ponies will be found grazing in all parts of the moor.

The moor covers 368 square miles (953 square km). Over half of it is private land, much of it owned by the Prince of Wales, but there are no restrictions on where people can walk, even the areas used by the army.

Gloucester Cathedral

Never posted. Bought July 2008.

Gloucester Cathedral seen from the south-east.

First founded in 678-9, not much was known about the religious community there until the Norman conquest in 1066. It was then rebuilt to be the cathedral we know today. In 1216 Henry III was crowned there, the only monarch since William I not to have been crowned in Westminster Abbey. After Edward II was buried there in 1327, considerable remodelling work was carried out at the east end.

It has a number of interesting American connections, one of which is that the person who wrote the music for The Star Spangled Banner, is buried here.

It is not the largest cathedral by any means, but one I like very much. It is a really lovely and welcoming place.

Lefkada

Postmarked Lefkada, dated 21 June 2007

Lefkada - Egremni beach

Lefkada is one of the Greek Islands. Acording to the message on the card the beaches really are like that, and empty too. For June 2007 it seems remarkable but apparently this particular beach is reached by 347 steep steps which could go some way to explain it.

Rocamadour

Never posted. Bought November 1991.

240 BW A travers le Lot
Roc amadour
2 site de France

Rocamadour is an outstanding, even breathtaking, sight and site in the Midi-Pyrénées. Once it was a centre of pilgrimage. It still is, but nowadays the tourists outnumber the pilgrims by a long way.

In the 10th or 11th century a small shrine was built here in honour of the Virgin Mary. Hermits settled nearby and were called "Amoureux" of the Rock. When, in 1162, a perfectly preserved body of one of the hermits was found in a tomb, he was revered as Saint Amadour. Miracles subsequently became associated with the site, hence pilgrimage. Now it receives over 1 million visitors a year. It is a small place - go out of season.

Tower of London

Neither posted nor dated.

The Tower of London and Tower Bridge
The Tower of London dates back to William the Conqueror in the 11th century and in its time has been a fortress, royal residence and state prison. In the background Tower bridge spans the River Thames as it flows eastwards to the sea. PLO/22144

The Tower is one of the "must sees" in London. When we had young exchange students staying with us I took all of them up to London, and the Tower was always one of the attractions. Once inside, you can visit the various parts at will. The Yeoman Warders, or Beefeaters, are very knowledgeable and will take you on a conducted tour. They are all servicemen of at least 22 years standing.

Tower Bridge is also open to the public. The walkways provide a stunning view of the river and many famous sights in London from 42 metres above the river.

Dollymount

Although obviously an old card, it has neither been posted nor dated.
Green Lanes Dollymount Co. Dublin  9211

This is a very special card for me, found in a bundle of others. It brings back so many memories.

Dollymount is a suburban area of Dublin, part of Clontarf. The name of Dollymount seems to have originated from a house of the same name. The house must have been renamed because it disappears from the records, then in 1838 the name reappears as an area as Green Lanes, Dollymount, the name on this card. It is thought that the name was first used by a member of the Vernon family for his wife Dorothy or Dolly. My grandmother's family lived on Vernon Avenue.

Dollymount as a name also appears as Dollymount Strand, the beach on Bull Island, which is connnected to Clontarf by a wooden bridge. My grandmother and her sister ran a small shop on the sea front, facing Bull Island. As a child I spent many happy hours playing on Dollymount Strand. My parents moved away from the area but I returned many times when visiting my grandmother. The last time I was there my grandmother was no longer there, but I had a charming young man for company.

Rochester Cathedral

Postmarked Medway, Kent and dated 17 September 1975.

Rochester Cathedral West front. C 2898X

The second oldest cathedral in England, founded in 604. Only Caterbury is older.

Japanese bridge at Giverny

Postmarked Kent (unfortunately), dated 21 September 1997.

Le pont japonais de Claude Monet.

Monet's house in Giverny, in spite of the hoardes of tourists, remains one of the most wonderful places near Paris, both the gardens and the house. Apparently Monet saw the village from a train and decided he would live there. In 1890 he bought the house and land, then created the magical gardens. When you see it, you can totally understand why so many of his works feature the place.

Lamington National Park, Australia

Postmarked Sydney, dated 11 April 2006

One of the walks through Lamington National Park in south-east Queensland winds from the Park Ranger station near O'Reilly's Rainforest Guesthouse through lush rain forest to Morans Falls. Among the abundant bird- and wild-life is the crimson Rosella (inset).

Lamington national Park is part of the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves, a World Heritage Site. Most of it is 900 metres above sea level. It is one of Queensland's best loved parks.

The longer I live

Postmarked Ingfield, dated 1921

An old and battered card with a sentimental message. It was written, apparently, to a very special person.

Puntarenas

Postmarked Ecuador, dated 17 March 1986.

Vista de Puntarenas, Puerto principal del Pacifico. Sobresale el Ferry Chuchequero. Puntarenas Costa Rica.

View of Puntarenas, the main port on the Pacific coast. The Crambs Ferry can be seen. Puntarenas - Costa Rica.

The card from Costa Rica was written in Panama City and posted in Ecuador. Three countries in one!

Holy Island

Never posted, dated March 2008.

The Harbour and Castle, Holy Island, Northumberland

Holy Island - for centuries called Lindisfarne - covers approximately 1350 acres. It is situated about 1 mile off-shore from the mainland and can be reached on foot except at high tide. Lindisfarne castle was built about 1550 out of material from the dissolved priory. In 1994 the castle was given to the National Trust and can now be visited, at set times, by the public.

A week in Venice (day 7): canal

Never posted, and again from the collection dated between the two world wars.

An unidentified canal. This is a different style from the other cards but all of these old ones seem to show Venice in the evening. This week has made me want to return before too long to this most romantic of cities.

A week in Venice (day 6): Basilica of St Mark

Never posted, bought in 1987.

Venezia
Basilica di San Marco - Alba
Basilique de S Marc - Aube
St Mark's Church - Dawn
Markuskirche das Morgengrauen
Basilica de S. Marcos - Alba

The Basilica is a stunning building and not, I think, done a great deal of justice by this postcard. It was first constructed in 828, a temporary building, then replaced in 832. It burned down in 976 during a rebellion, was rebuilt in 978 and again 1063.

Although the basic structure has remained more or less the same, the decorations have undergone constant change. Every time a Venetian ship returned from the east, it would bring a frieze, a column, a carving, often even older than the basilica itself.

A week in Venice (day 5): Rio Priuli

Never posted. From the collection dating between the First and Second World Wars.

The Rio Priuli is one of the many smaller canals in Venice. It is in the Cannaregio district, to the north. The canal is unusual in that it has a pathway on one side. Normally canals and pathways are at right-angles to each other.

A week in Venice (day 4): Vogalonga

Never posted. Bought in Venice in the May of 1980.

Venezia
Bacino S. Marco - Partenza della Vogalonga
Bassin de S. Marco - Le départ de la "Vogalonga"
S. Marco Basin - The leaving of "Vogalonga"
S. Markusdock - Abfahrt von der "Vogalonga"

The Vogalonga is a non-competitive rowing regatta held as shown, in front of the Doge's Palace. Any type of rowing boat can take part. It started in 1974. Apparently some people choose to swim the 30 km route instead of rowing. Much as I love Venice, I couldn't even contemplate doing that.

A week in Venice (day 3): The Rialto Bridge

Never posted and undated, but found in a collection most of which date from between the First and Second World Wars.

Venezia - Il Ponte di Rialto

Never posted. Bought on my first trip to Venice 1970.

Venezia
Ponte di Rialto
Pont de Rialto
Rialto Bridge
Rialto Bruecke

The oldest bridge in Venice, the Rialto Bridge must be one of the most easily recognised landmark. Until the mid 1800s, it was the only way to cross the Grand Canal on foot.

A week in Venice (day 2): The Doge's Palace

Never posted. Bought 1970 on my first visit to Venice.

Venezia
Palazzo Ducale
Palais des Doges
Palace of the Doges
Der Dogenpalast

First built in the 9th century, the Doge's Palace has been rebuilt several times. The current building dates mainly from 1309 to 1424. It was the seat of the Venetian government for hundreds of years and is now preserved as a museum.

A week in Venice (day 1): a bridge

Postmarked Venezia Marco Polo, dated 16 August 1982

A card taken from a photograph by Manolis Baboussis, who is now Associate Professor in Fine Arts School, Athens.

To me, this is so typical of off-season Venice. From George Bull's Venice "a city valued still mostly for its mysterious combinations of water and sky, light and shade, decline and survival, mud and marble". Beautiful.

Goodnight

Postmarked Faversham, Kent, and dated 1 July 1917.

Very little I can say about it, apart from I like it.