Corfu

Postmarked Karussades, dated 16 September 1997.
Corfu is the second largest of the Greek islands, separated from Albania by only 3 km (2 miles) and up to 23 km (15 miles). The principal town is also called Corfu.  The island is steeped in history and features in Greek mythology.

This was sent to my parents from their only grand-daughter, to assure them that she had remembered her sun tan lotion! 

Cupid

Postmarked Rovaniemi, dated 08 September 2005.

I was sent this by someone I don't know, through Postcrossing. It's from Finland, confirming my notion that Finnish postcards have more artistic style than the average.  It's a card for a lover I think - I'm sure that's cupid there on the stamp in the clouds - but it's not easy to send a message to a lover on a postcard.  Written in code perhaps.

Washington DC

 

The postmark is unfortunately unreadable but the stamps are beautiful. The card is dated 31 August 2008.

A. Capitol Building
B. White House
C. Washington Monument
D. National Mall
E. Jefferson Memorial
F. Lincoln Memorial
G. Vietnam War Memorial
H. Ford's Theater
I. Iwo Jima Statue
J. Capitol Dome

The sender wrote:

I live in DC and work near the White House. I like to walk down to the National Mall and watch tourists by the Lincoln Memorial. It's my fovorite place in the city. The view is amazing and so inspiring.

One day, one day, I'll get there.

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

Not postmarked because it was sent to me inside a book. The date was 18 August 2004.

Edinburgh
E53 Edinburgh Castle

The castle, which dominates Edinburgh's skyline, in its present form dates back to the 16th century although the site was inhabited from the 9th century BC.  The Edinburgh Military Tattoo is held there every year during the Edinburgh Festival. John Allen, an officer of the Massachusetts Militia, was born in Edinburgh Castle.

I used to take my two sons to see the castle quite often when they were small. I remember it well, but what I remember most of all is the cold, cold wind that seemed to be blowing perpetually.

Zwolle, Netherlands

Postmarked Zwolle, dated 7 July 2008.

Zwolle, Sassenpoort.

Zwolle is 120 km north east of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The picture on the card is of one of the old city gates, the Sassenpoort (Saxon gate) dating from 1408. In several places in the town, parts of the old medieval city wall can be seen.

Wells Cathedral, Somerset

Postmarked Taunton, Somerset and dated 28 April 1998.

West Front, Wells Cathedral

The first church on this site was built in 705 but the present cathedral dates mainly from the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. It is apparently known as the most poetic of English cathedrals, and I can see why. I think it is one of the most beautiful. It has one of the largest collections of medieval stained glass in England. There are frequent short guided tours of the windows. They say binoculars are useful but not essential!

Suomi Finland

An extra card from Finland, in memory of the 9 catering college students killed yesterday by a fellow student who then killed himself, in Kauhajoki, western Finland.

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Turku, Finland

Postmarked Tampere, dated 25 August 2008

Turku Abo
Suomi Finland

Turku is the oldest city in Finland, and was once the capital and the largest city. The Declaration of Winter Peace takes place each year on the Old Great Square of Turku, apart from 1939, "advising devotion and to behave otherwise quietly and peacefully, because he who breaks this peace and violates the peace of Christmas by any illegal or improper behaviour shall under aggravating circumstances be guilty and punished according to what the law and statutes prescribe for each and every offence separately".

Peterborough, Canada

Postmarked Ottawa, dated 26 August 1983.

Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
World famous hydraulic lift lock completed in 1904, lift 65 feet, each chamber is 140 feet by 33 feet and holds 1300 tons of water. It takes 12 minutes to lock through.

No external power is used to operate the Peterborough lift lock. When one compartment reaches the top, it stops slightly below the level of the canal. When the gates are opened, the weight of the water flowing in is enough to power the hydraulic lift. As one compartment lowers, it pushes the other to the top.

Aarau, Switzerland

Postmarked Aarau, dated 12 September 2008.

The town of Aarau is situated on the Aare river. It was for a short time the capital of Switzerland and home to the first Swiss Houses of Parliament. It is well known for the painted gables, called Dachhimmel, on the buildings (bottom left). The Upper Gate Tower (bottom right) and one or two other buildings are all that remain relatively unchanged from the medieval period. During the 16th century most were replaced or expanded.

Missing you

Never posted.

The message on the back says "36 hours and counting". One can only speculate.

I have never seen a beach like that. Beautiful.

Shanghai, China

Postmark illegible, dated 4 September 2008.

Ancient towns in Shanghai
The Stone Pillar of Tang Dynasty inscribed with Buddhist scriptures. Standing now in a primary school on East Zhongshan Road in Shanghai, this stone pillar was first erected in 859 in the Tang Dynasty.

I'm posting this to today to mark the coincidence of receiving a card from Shanghai yesterday and a visit from Gone with Postcards from Shanghai today!

Zamora, Spain

Postmarked Zamora, dated 30 May 2006.

115 Zamora
Cupola de la Catedral.

Zamora, origianlly a Moorish settlement, was once the scene of fierce fighting between Christiona and Moors. In those days it was a very important city but in later years lost a large proportion of its population which emigrated to South America - and there built a number of towns called Zamora, for example in Mexico and Ecuador.

The cathedral of Zamora dates back to the 12th century.  The dome pictured on the card is the symbol of the city.

Northland, NZ

Although a postcard from New Zealand, it was posted in the Netherlands, postmarked Grave and dated 2 August 2005.

Northland, New Zealand
New Zealand's far north is a wonderfully diverse district of warm, sandy beaches towering kauri forests and lush tropical growth. With world class big-game fishing off the coast, this area makes an idyllic holiday venue.
Background: Cape Reinga. Top left: Fun buses, Ninety Mile Beach
Top right: Cape Reinga Lighthouse
Bottom left: Hokianga Harbour, Whangerei Falls
Bottom right: Waipoua Kauri Forest.

Northland sometimes goes by the name of "the tail of the fish" because, according to Maori legend, the North Island was an enormous fish caught by the adventurer Maui. It is the least urbanised of New Zealand's region and has gone against all trends by becoming more rural over the years.

Estonia

An interesting set of postmarks because it has obviously done some travelling before it arrived here with me, slightly the worse for wear.
Postmark 1 Pärnu, Estonia, dated 28 August 2008.
Postmark 2 Tallinn PK, Estonia, dated 9 September 2008.
It arrived with me on 17 September.

Estonia is in northern Europe bordered by Finland to the north. The capital and largest city is Tallinn. Pärnu is known as Estonia's summer capital, a popular holiday resort. The only picture I have been able to identify on the card is the white building on the right which is the University of Tartu, founded in 1632.

Arizona

Sent to me inside a book, so no postmark. Dated approximately June 2006.

Arizona
Sun sets on thick strands of saguaro and cholla in the Sonoran desert.

This is a landscape that is largely completely alien to me. I've seen pictures of course, but I have no idea what it can be like to live near this. A cactus to me is something that lives in a pot, shrivels up and dies - quite soon if I'm looking after it. Now that I've looked up the links I have learnt a lot.

Red roses

Postmarked Faversham in Kent, and dated 15 November 1918.

Some things never change, red roses symbolising love.

O my Luve's like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June!
O my Luve's like the melodie
That's sweetly play'd in tune!


As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry


Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.


And fare thee weel, my only Luve!
And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho' it were ten thousand mile

~ Robert Burns

Syracuse NY

Never posted or dated.

3. Results of Tornado Near Syracuse N.Y. Sept. 15, 1912

Three people were killed and fifty injured by a tornado which worked a ten-mile trail of destruction across the northern part of Onondaga County late today.  The property loss was estimated at $250,000.

The message on the back of the card reads:
"This is a barn blown down. There were acres of orchards all taken up by the roof."

Ronda

Postmarked La Línea de la Concepción. Dated 14 September 1979.

Ronda (Costa del Sol)
City partial view, the Tajo and Bridge.

This isn't somewhere I have ever been, but according to the message on the back of the card the view is quite breath-taking and the card just doesn't do it any justice.

Ronda is famous for its views and for the deep El Tajo gorge carved out by the rio Guadalevín which passes through the centre. Although the city was first settled by Celts, Roman and Moorish architecture is widespread.

An award

Alison of Eleanor Blog has given me this award. Thank you very much Alison, I am truly honoured! I am supposed to pass this on but my difficulty is twofold - many of my blog friends already have received it and anyway, how I you choose out of all the blogs I love? So my friends, consider yourselves loved! :)

Updated to add that I have received the same again from Sharon Hart.  My cup runneth over!

Zuihoden shrine

Postmarked Yokohama and dated 29 August 2008

The information on the back of the card is in Japanese, and I just can't read it.

The sender of the card works in Kawasaki, the neighbouring town to Tokyo, but was brought up in Sendai which is where the Zuihoden shrine can be found. Sendai is famous for having many beautiful trees and is called "The City of the Forest" in Japanese. It is home to various historical sites related to the Date family. The ruins of Sendai Castle are located close to the centre of town on Aobayama, which also gives a panoramic view of the city. The Zuihoden Mausoleum is the tomb of Date Masamune.

Twin Towers

Postmarked Brooklyn NY, dated 18 June 1982.

174 New York City
Lower Manhattan as seen from the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, showing Williamsburg, Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges crossing the borough of Brooklyn.

Stamped but no postmark. Dated 19 February 1982.

C196 New York City
Statue of Liberty and the Battery.

Two views that will never be the same again.

Hannover

Postmarked Briefzentrum 30 and dated 31 July 2008.

Hannover an der Leine
Hauptstadt des Bundeslands Niedersachsen mit ca 500,000 Einwohnen. Traditionsreiche Messestadt mit den Welt größten Messen und "Hannover Messe Industrie". Im 11 Jahrhundert aus einer Marktsiedlung entstanden, im 17 - 18 Jahrhundert Hauptstadt des Kurfürstentums bzw. Königsreichs Hannover.
Liebnizhaus. Haus des herzogl. Bibliothekars und Philosophen Gottfried Wilhelm Leibnitz, stammt ursprünglich von 1652.

Capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony with approx. 5,00.000 inhabitants. Exhibition centre rich in tradition with the world 's biggest industrial fair the Hannover industry fair. In 11 centuries from a market settlement to, in 17 - 18-century, the capital of the electorate or king's empire of Hannover.
Liebnizhaus. Ducal house of librarian and philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibnitz, dating originally from 1652.

The Hannover Messe started in 1947 in an undamaged factory building in Laatzen, south of Hannover, by an arrangement of the British military government in order to boost the economic advancement of post-war Germany. It was extremely successful and so repeated yearly.

Port Erin, Isle of Man

Postmarked Port Erin , Isle of Man. Dated 27 April 1965.

RB 231 Bradda Head, Port Erin, Isle of Man
Port Erin, a beautiful little bay in the south of the island is dominated by Bradda Head, on which is situated Milner's Tower, erected to the memory of William Milner in grateful acknowledgement for his charitable work in the town.

I'm not sure how my father came to have this card, because it was sent to me by a friend of mine. I was a student at the University of Liverpool at the time and my friend had opted for a course in marine biology, which involved a three week stay during the Easter holiday at the marine biology station in Port Erin. She hated it. The department has apparently closed down recently because of lack of funding. She should have waited a few years :) I can't believe it's so long ago....

An interesting snippet of information - the Isle of Man is not part of the United Kingdom, it is a self governing Crown dependency, the result of a quirk of history. Nor is it part of the European Union. Its parliament is the oldest continuously existing parliament in the world.

Montgomery, Vermont

Postmarked Newport, Vermont. Dated 13 August 1987.

Vt. 80
West Hill Covered Bridge
Montgomery, Vermont
Vermont has an abundance of beautiful places - some of which are very secret.  A sense of discovery and some information from a local Vermonter should prove very helpful.

I have never been to this part of the USA but if I ever get the chance Vermont is one place I'd love to visit. Any pictures I've seen look beautiful.

Glencoe

Posted near Inverness and dated 26 September 2006.

CC086 Loch Etive from Glen Etive in early summer.

Sent to me inside a book 2005.

Buachaille Etive Mòr, Glencoe

Buachaille Etive Mòr is one of the most recognisable mountains in Scotland. It forms a ridge almost entirely surrounded by the river Etive and its tributaries. With Buachaille Etive Beag, it lies at the north end of Glen Etive.

Swing dancers

Never posted. It was sent to me inside a book in 2004.

Winner of the Photographer of the Year 2002
Title: "Swing Dancers" by Alan Spencer, Bury, Lanacashire, England.
Sponsored by O'Briens Irish Sandwich Bar, The Irish Independent, & Fuji Photo Film (Ireland) Ltd.
O'Briens Irish Sandwich Bars are Official sponsors of the Special Olympic World Summer Games 2003.

I never tire of looking at this card:  the couple dancing with such enthusiasm, the rainy platform, the advertisement for Brooke Bond Tea, the flags, the man in the background wearing sandals and white socks. Above all I like the international flavour.

I'm almost certain the station pictured is Rawtenstall in the north west of England, once part of the national railway network but now managed by the East Lancashire Railway.

Finland

Postmarked Seinäjoki and dated 5 September 2005.

One of the very early cards I received through Postcrossing, today being its postal anniversary.

Hämeensilta Bridge

Postmarked Tampere, dated 19 August 2008.

Hämeensilta - Hämeensilta Bridge, Tampere, Finland.

From the message on the card:

These are the four statues standing at the Hämeensilta bridge in my home city Tampere. They were made by sculptor Wäinö Aaltonen in 1927-1929. They are one of the landmarks in Tampere but I think we living here far too seldom notice them when we cross the bridge .... but nevertheless we love them.

The four statues are Maiden of Finland, Tax Collector, Huntsman and Merchant. The Maiden and Huntsman are fairly obvious I think. The Merchant I believe is the one with the outstretched hand, carrying I don't know what, so that leaves the other as the Tax Collector. I haven't been able to find any explanation of the symbolism.

I wonder if the people in Tampere have nicknames for the statues or use them as meeting points. Once upon a time when I was a student in Liverpool we used to sing "In my Liverpool home" (can be heard on YouTube)

In my Liverpool home, in my Liverpool home
We speak with an accent exceedingly rare
We meet under a statue exceedingly bare.
If you want a cathedral, we've got one to spare,
In my Liverpool home.

Those were the days. The statue where we met was fondly known as Phred, over the Lewis's department store. I've just checked and he's still there. I'd love to find a postcard of him, if any exist.

Cape Peninsula

Postmarked Johannesburg, dated I think 1978.

Cape Peninsula South Africa
The Europa and QE2 in Table Bay Harbour, with Table Mountain looming in the background.

Cape Peninsula is the rocky peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic . At the southern end are Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. At the northern end is Table Mountain, which is at times covered in cloud to form the tablecloth.

Wulingyuan

I can't read the postmark, but it is dated 9 August 2008.

Wuylingyuan Scenery
Warrior training a hose
FP7 10-3 1998 B

Wulingyuan is in Hunan Province and is known for the sandstone pillars illustrated here. It stretches over 26,000 hectares. Apart from the beautiful and spectacular scenery, it shelters many endangered species. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.