Isolate Putin, Riga and Tallinn

  Blog # 1645 ---  Day 1123  ( That's One Thousand One Hundred and Twenty Three Days ) Since the Start of the Current  (   Second ) Russian Invasion of  UKRAINE .         

                                                                      GLORY TO UKRAINE

                                                       

        

 Hello again. Here`s a few more cards. First is this card from Spain. It`s shows a way to put pressure on Putin. Isolate Putin . Insulate Homes.  Europe can isolate Putin, by insulating their homes. In the far bottom right , take note of the slogan - We stand with Ukraine. 

Josey and Assumpta used a 2023 stamp showing Bernrbeu Stadium, home of Real Madrid since 1947. 

My next card arrived from Riga, Latvia. The city , with a population of just over 605,000 ,  is located on the Baltic Sea at the mouth of the River Daugava.  Riga`s historical city center has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Jean Pierre`s card shows St. Peter`s Lutheran , the highest church in the city, at 57 metres. It was built in 1209, and has since been rebuilt in 1419, 1470, 1690, 1721, and 1954. The card also shows the House of the Blackheads, on the right. That building was built in 1334 and was the site of the first decorated Christmas Tree in 1510.

The stamps -- On the left are 2 Flower definitives , one from 2023 and one rom 2013. The right stamp was issued in 2021 and celebrates the IIHF World Championship. That`s a mean looking hockey dude on that stamp.

That was Riga, next is Tallinn, Estonia. Meelis`s card shows the walled, cobblestoned Old Town, home to cafes and shops, as well as Kiek in de Kök, a 15th-century defensive tower. Its Gothic Town Hall, built in the 13th century and with a 64m-high tower, sits in historic Tallinn’s main square. St. Nicholas Church is a 13th-century landmark .

Meelis used an assortment of stamps on this card. There are 3 Posthorn  definitives, all issued in 2923. The lighthouse stamp was issued in 2015 and celebrates the 140th Anniversary of Tahkuna Lighthouse. The large stamp on the right celebrates 140 years of Girl Guides in Estonia. 

 So goes my blog today, a little shorter than usual. That`s the way it goes sometimes. And today is one of those times. 

Thanks for today`s cards go to Josep and Assumpta, Jean Pierre and Meelis. Take care .

Brcko, Glenfinnan Viaduct, JAL B747, CAI DC-10 , Metz, and B707 Prototype

 Blog # 1644 ---  Day 1117  ( That's One Thousand One Hundred and Seventeen Days ) Since the Start of the Current  (   Second ) Russian Invasion of  UKRAINE .               

                                                                      GLORY TO UKRAINE

Well, thanks for dropping in again. Here`s a few more cards to peruse. First up is this railway themed card from Scotland in the U.K. It`s a look at Glenfinnan Viaduct on the West Highland Line. The viaduct was built between 1897 and 1901 and has 21 arches  crossing the River Finnan 100 ft below. 

Alena used a 2024 self-adhesive definitive of King Charles III.

I haven`t showcased many Airline and  Aircraft cards lately. Today I will have two to have a look at. Here`s the first one , it arrived from Sri Lanka. It shows a JAL Japan Air Lines B747 taking off at the New Tokyo International Airport. New maybe when this picture was taken but not so new today. The airport opened in 1978. 

Ravindra used 3 stamps on his card. The 2 on top were issued in 2021 and are 2 of 3 issued to mark the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Sri Lanka and Singapore. The bottom stamp, from 2020 is 1 of 3 in a set showing Ancient Maps of Sri Lanka. 

Now before moving on to another card, there is still a little that needs to be said about Ravindra`s card. Now I don`t know when the picture of the JAL B747 was taken, but to the keen observer like me , something stuck out with this card. On the far right of the card another aircraft can be see. Lo and behold , it`s a Canadian Airlines International DC-10. Canadian Airlines International operated from 1987 until 2001 and take it from me, we were one of the best airlines in the world . I should know, I worked for CAI those 14 years.  R.I.P CAI .

The next card arrived from France , Metz in fact. This city of just over 120 thousand in northeast France lies at the confluence of the Moselle and Seille rivers. Visible in the background of Dominique`s card is St. Etienne`s Cathedral, which opened in 1923. 

Dominique used a stamp from 1970. It honours Alphonse Juin, a former French General and Chief of the Defense Staff of France. 

Now here`s another aircraft card. This one is a card issued by The National Air and Space Museum. It shows the Boeing 707 prototype  , model 367-80. It made its first flight in 1954. It was the prototype for the KC-135 and the 707, America`s first jet aircraft. It has been on display at the Smithsonian since 1972. 

Meredith sent this card and used 3 stamps. The School Bus stamp on the left was issued in 2023 for Additional Ounce Postage. The top right stamp , from 2023, is 1 of 5 , issued highlighting Railway Stations - this one is San Bernadino, California. The bottom right stamp, from 2024, showcases the hit TV show  Jeopardy. 

 

Sadly, another case of the Great Stamp Defacer striking again. He is 3 for 3 on that card. How I`d like to use a marker on him !!  I`d deface him happily. 

Here now is the last card for this time. It arrived from Brcko, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The city lies on the bank of the Sava river across from Croatia. Formed in 1999 , Brcko is officially a condominium of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska. David`s card shows the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 

 David used 2 stamps here. The left stamp, from 2020, was issued for Native Language Day. The right stamp is 1 of 4 in a WWF set showing Goats. It was issued in 2017.

There you have it , another update for The Blog.  Today my thanks for cards go out to Meredith, Dominique, Ravindra, Alena, and David.

Cards from Isa and a couple of others.

 Blog # 1643 ---  Day 1110  ( That's One Thousand One Hundred and Ten Days ) Since the Start of the Current  (   Second ) Russian Invasion of  UKRAINE .               

                                                                      GLORY TO UKRAINE

Welcome to The Blog once again. I'm back with a few cards . First is this multi-view card from Nancy, France showing some of the sights of the city, squares, markets, and buildings. 

  Meelis used a 2024 stamp celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Charles de Gaulle Airport in 1974.

This next card if also from France. It shows from the Abbey of St. Mary of Lagrasse. It is a Romanesque abbey in , southern France, whose origins date to the 7th century. It is located in Languedoc, near the Corbieres Massif, about 35 km from Carcassonne.  It was originally a Benedictine monastery. 

Once again Dominique used an older stamp, this time from 1971. It is 1 of 5 in a Tourism set. set.

 Too bad the only cancellation it received was a pen scratch . 

My next 4 cards are all from Germany and all are compliments of Isa. The first one shows countries that have issued Postcrossing Stamps and the year of their issue. Isa's card shows 21 countries have issued 27 stamps. I think the total now is actually 32 stamps from 25 countries. 

Two stamps arrived on this card. The left stamp was issued in 2022 under the theme of Message in a Bottle.

The right stamp , also from 2022 , commemorates the 125th Anniversary of the German Caritas Association.

This next card shows a mini collection of British definitive stamps. Here we have 12 of the many hundreds of Machins issued over the years. 

Isa used a stamp from 2024 here. It shows the railway station and transport hub Landungsbrucken. 

Another card from Isa. On this one we have a woman in a model glider competition in 1942. 

Isa used a 2023 Disney stamp , celebrating Disney's 100th anniversary, along with a Flower definitive.

Here's the last card from Isa. It really needs no explanation. Keep Calm and Send Postcards. Sounds like a fantastic idea to me. 

And the stamp is from this year and celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the German Academic Exchange Service.

That's all I have for this time. Thanks for cards go out to Meelis, Dominique and Isa. 

I have lots of cards so come back again soon. Take care.

Two Locomotives

   

 Blog # 1642--- Day 1096 ( Three Years to the Day--That's  One Thousand and Ninety Six) of the Current  (

 Second ) Russian Invasion of  UKRAINE .               

                                                                      GLORY TO UKRAINE

Hello again. Here's a few cards from a few places. I'll start with a couple of maxi cards from Slovakia. Both are train cards, so I will leave it to the train card collectors out there to drool over these. Both were originally issued on April 17, 2015. The first card shows a 498.104 Albatros  Steam Locomotive. 

Alena used a number of stamps on this card. From the left  they are :

Issued in 1994, highlighting No Smoking Day .

Again from 1994 , issued for International Family Year.

Issued in 2019, this one commemorates the 75th Anniversary  of ICAO. ICAO is the International Civil Aviation Organization.

And finally , from 2010 a stamp showing Milan Hodzan, Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia from 1935-1938. 

Here's the second card,  much like the first. This one shows a Parna Locomotive 464.001 . 

Alena used 3 stamps on this one. Again from left to right : From 2013, a stamp with tabs ,  showcasing Kosice, European Cultural Capital.  Then a Stop Aids stamp from 2010. Finally A Folklore stamp from 1998. 

I think that's it for this time. Thank you Alena for both cards. 

NATIONAL FLAG DAY, 2025

 Blog # 1641

This is not my usual type blog. It will have a few postcards but they will be all from the same country and all with the same theme or topic. The country is Canada and the cards will all show Canada's flag, the Maple Leaf. Why you might ask am I doing this today ?. The answer is that Canada's Flag, my flag , is 60 years old today. The Maple Leaf first flew on Canada's Parliament Hill on February 15th 1965. 

Here's a few cards showing our flag.  First is a wooden  ( Cedar ) card.

Flying in the Wind

It is more important than ever it seems , for Canadians to fly our flag on this 60th Flag Day. Sadly we have a bully and a buffoon out of control who keeps reiterating that he wants to take control of Canada and make it the 51st state of the United States. Not going to happen , not in a hundred years or a million years or ever. Mark my words, we will never submit to a bully and we will never be the 51st state. As Canadians we are always laid back but the bully has been stoking the flames for a month now and Canadian Patriotism is at an all time high. Bullies always lose in the end and this Orange Idiot will lose too. A buffoon surrounded by buffoons is destroying the United States and the whole world is standing back and doing nothing, saying nothing but laughing and hoping he doesn't turn on them. 

Long live a free Greenland , long live the PANAMA Canal and The Gulf of Mexico and Long Live the FREE, INDEPENDENT and SOVEREIGN NATION of CANADA. 

I apologize  for my political rant here today. I try to keep my politics off The Blog but sometimes  and this is one of those times when I have to stand up and I Stand Up for Canada. 

Back to my normal Blog next time.  Take care. and feel free to comment.

 

Omis, Eurowings, Ely Cathedral and Villefranche-de-Conflent

  Blog # 1640--- Day 1083 ( One Thousand and Eighty Three) of the Current  ( Second ) Russian Invasion of                                                                                       Ukraine   

                                                                      GLORY TO UKRAINE

Hello once again. Here we go with a few more postcards that arrived  over time. The first one is from England. It shows Ely Cathedral, built between 1083 and 1375. Ely Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Ely, is an Anglican cathedral in the city of Ely, Cambridgeshire, England. The cathedral can trace its origin to the abbey founded in Ely in 672 by St Æthelthryth.

Josep and Assumpta sent this card and used a 2022 stamp featuring a Tutankhamun Boat Model.

My second card for today is from Omis, Croatia. Omiš is a town and port in the Dalmatia region of Croatia, and a municipality in the Split-Dalmatia County. The town is approximately 25 kilometres south-east of Croatia's second largest city, Split, where the Cetina River meets the Adriatic Sea. It has a population of around 15,000.

The card from Alena shows a nice aerial view of the city. 

Alena used a stamp from 2020, 1 of 3 , in a set featuring Natural Wonders. 

Now here is another card sent by Josep and Assumpta , this one from France. On it we see a view of part of Villefranche-de-Conflent. Also seen is the defensive wall surrounding the town. Villefranche-de-Conflent is historically a town in the Conflent region of Catalonia, and now a commune in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France. It is a member of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France Association and has a population of around 205.

The stamp on this one is from 2024 and celebrates French Film Director Agnes Varga.

Now here is the last card for this time. It is from Prague, Czech Republic. The card is a rather generic aircraft card featuring Eurowings.  Eurowings is a German low-cost carrier headquartered in Dusseldorf and is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group. Founded in 1993, Eurowings serves 152 destinations and has 81 aircraft in its fleet.

Now the stamps. Do I have 3 stamps or 2 stamps to highlight here. The top right is a stamp from 2015, showcasing Plzen - a European Cultural Capital. The bottom stamp was issued in 2022 for Christmas. The top left item I am not sure about . It looks like a stamp but has no value indicated. It is either a label or a modern error, but I will err on the side of caution and say it is a label. At least until someone tells me or shows me I am wrong. 

So that is all for this time. Thanks to Alena, Josep and Assumpta and Meelis for their cards. 

Take care , see you back here soon. 

A Bridge, A Lake and The Punjab

   Blog # 1639--- Day 1080 ( One Thousand and Eighty ) of the Current  ( Second ) Russian Invasion of                                                                                       Ukraine   

                                                                      GLORY TO UKRAINE

Hello once again. Here we go with a few more cards for your perusal. The first card for today arrived from France. It shows le lac des Truites ( Trout Lake ). It is the highest lake in the Vosges mountains at 1066 m. 

As he most often does Dominique used an older stamp. Today the stamp is 55 years old. It celebrates Maurice de Broglie (1875-1960 ) . It is 1 of 3 stamps in a set features Famous People. Broglie was a French Physicist.   

 

Card 2 is a look at the John S Thompson Bridge , connecting Grave and Nederasselt, over the Maas River. The bridge opened in 1929 and is 515 m in length. It has been named after Thompson since 2004. One of the most successful military operations during Operation Market Garden was the capture of this bridge. Lieutenant John Thompson and his group landed not far from the southern approach. The rest of the company landed much further away. Thompson decided not to wait for them and immediately stormed the bridge. His actions captured the bridge undamaged. This action took place in 1944. 

Barbara sent this card along and used 3 stamps, 2 of which I will identify and 1 that I can not. The top left stamp was issued in 2002. It is 1 of 12 in a mini-sheet celebrating the Twelve Provinces of The Netherlands. The bottom stamp, from 2006, is from a mini-sheet of 10. It was issued to celebrate TPG becoming TNT. TPG, the Dutch mail and express service was rebranded TNT .The stamp on the right is the one I had trouble with. I just could not locate any information about it. I am sure someone will enlighten me with some information about it. 

  Update to the stamp that I had trouble with. Barbara sent me the following tidbit. And I use it with her permission. 

It's from the 2023 series of 4 stamp sheets under the title "Jimmy Nelson – Ode to the Netherlands".
They are personalised stamps, featuring portraits of women and girls in Dutch costume and regional dress, photographed by Jimmy Nelson for his 2022 book "Between the Sea and the Sky". The stamps were designed by graphic designer Larissa Rosvaenge of Jimmy Nelson Studio.
This stamp is from the first sheet "Ode to the Netherlands I", representing the "Veluwe" , a region in the province of Gelderland.

My next 2 cards are from Pakistan, 1 from Lahore and the other from Bahawalpur. The first card shows the Badshahi Mosque.  The mosque is located in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It was constructed between 1671 and 1673. It is widely considered to be one of the most iconic landmarks of the Punjab. It has 3 domes , 8 minarets and is made of red sandstone. The capacity is 100,000.

David used 9 stamps on this card, 7 of then alike. The 2 lookalikes are from 2023. A previous issue overprinted and surcharged to celebrate the /47th Anniversary of the Birth of Mohammad Ali Jinnah. 

The 2 stamps on the top were issued in a 2024 souvenir sheet of 4. to mark the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Allama Iqbal Open University.

 

Here is the second card from Pakistan and the last card for today. A great look at Derawar Fort. The fort is a large square fortress in Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan. The forty bastions od Derawar are visable for many miles in Cholistan Desert. The walls have a circumference of 1500 metres and stand up to thirty metres high. Derawar was built in the 9th century. 

Again , David used a bunch of stamps on this card. The 6 lookalikes on the left were issued in 2022, to celebrate The Poet of the East , Allama Mohammad Iqbal. The large stamp was issued in 2023 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Senate of Pakistan. 

There you have it , another update of The Blog.

Thanks for these cards go to Barbara, Dominique and David. Can not do this without you all. 

Take care.