Laon, Stamps of Portugal, Tallinn and Raleigh

     Blog # 1626--- Day 940 of the Current  ( Second ) Russian Invasion of Ukraine 

                                                                       GLORY TO UKRAINE 

Here's a few more cards to peruse. This first card arrived from Laon in northern France. The city has a population of just over 24,000 people. Jean Pierre's card shows the Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Laon. It was built during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. 

Until August 2016, the town had the only fully automated municipal cable car system in the world, called the Poma 2000. It linked the upper town (the historical centre, located on a plateau) with the lower town, had three stations and ran on rubber tyres. In contrast, the San Francisco cable car system is manually operated. Another automated cable car called the Minimetro may be found in the city of Perugia in Italy.

Jean Pierre used a 2023 stamp showing an image of engraver, designer and pastellist Robert Nanteuil on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of his birth.

I've left the image of this stamp quite large so you can see the overprint or fancy cancel of a dog or wolf and the words - for safe delivery -. I don't know what it means or who would have printed it on the stamp. Is there anyone out there  with any info on this  ? 

My 2nd card is from Portugal. The front of the card is a mini Portuguese stamp collection. 

Rob from Czechia sent this card while on vacation. He used 3 stamps on the card. From left to right, they ere : from 2024, 1 of 4 showing Musical Instruments. Next, from 2019, 1 of 2 showing Traditional Desserts. The right stamp , from 2023, 1 of 3 issued to celebrate 150 years of Carris, a public transportation company in Lisbon. 

Next up is a card from Tallinn, Estonia with a bevy of cruise ships in Tallinn Harbour. The two Aida cruise ships in the foreground are no longer with Aida Cruises, having been sold to other cruise lines. 

Meelis used 3 stamps on this card. The left stamp is 1 of 3 in a 2017 Definitives set. The middle stamp, from 2016, commemorates the city of Otepaa`s 900th anniversary. It is a city in southern Estonia. The right stamp was issued in 2019 and shows a nasty looking Mole. 

Now here`s the last card for today. It is the latest in my Postmarks é Towns of Newfoundland collection. This time it`s Raleigh, a small village on the located Great Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland.  This fishing village wraps around Ha Ha Bay , which actually was the town`s name early on, but it was changed to honor Sir Walter Raleigh. In the area is a massive limestone cape , home of the Burnt Cape Ecological Reserve. The climate here allows the growth of about 30 rare dwarf flora, including the arctic bladderpod, the alpine arnica, the dwarf hawk`s head and Fernald`s braya. The rarest is the Burnt Cape Cinquefoil, and Raleigh is the only place in the world it is found.

Mona`s card shows fishermen waiting to offload caplin at the Raleigh community wharf.

   The stamp was issued this year, 1 of 3 showcasing Indigenous leaders. This stamp shows award winning Inuit singer , songwriter, actor, director, producer and activist Elisapie.

Quite visible is the clear Raleigh postmark and cancellation.

Well that`s all for this time . Thanks for cards go out to Jean Pierre, Rob, Meelis and Mona, the Postmaster in Raleigh. 

Be back here again soon. 

l

Lumieres de Sens, Chateau de Peyrepertuse, Arik Air and Dubrovnik

    Blog # 1625--- Day 920 of the Current  ( Second ) Russian Invasion of Ukraine 

                                                                       GLORY TO UKRAINE 

Well I`m back , it`s been a few days for sure. I`m really hoping to be here on a more regular basis for the next two months at least. We`ll see how it goes. I have lots of cards, lots of time , so those can`t be excuses. So here we go .

My first card today arrived from France and shows the Chateau de Peyrepertuse. This ruined castle, built in the 13th century, is located high in the French Pyrenees in Rouffac -des-Corbieres. 

 Dominique`s card arrived without a stamp. Since the cancellation is fully visible, i guess the stamp must have fell off before it was applied. 

Card 2 for today arrived from Germany, and is the latest entry in my Airlines and Aircraft Card collection. This time it is a B737 registered as 5N-MJE with Arik Air of Nigeria. This aircraft had its first flight on September 24, 2007 and was then delivered to Arik Air on October 25, 2007. It later flew with NG Eagle of Nigeria from February 2021 until it was stored in December of 2021.

Arik Air was founded in 2004 and operates from Lagos and Abuja. 

Isa used a 2023 Jimi Hendrix stamp along with a Flower definitive. 

This next card is from Dubrovnik, a city in southern Croatia fronting the Adriatic Sea. It has a distinctive Old Town encircled with massive stone walls dating from the 16th century. 

David used a 2020 stamp.It is 1 of 3 in a set showing Natural Wonders. 

Here is my final card for this time. It`s from France. It shows one of the earliest Gothic cathedrals of France, illuminated at night. Lumieres de Sens is an original sound and lights show, projected onto the Saint - Etienne Cathedral in Sens. 

Jean Pierre used a 2023 stamp celebrating a Hundred Years of Disney. 

There you have it , another update on GemsWorldPostcards. Thanks for reading. Thanks to Dominique, Isa, David and Jean Pierre for their cards. 

Burin, Svalbard and Porto

   Blog # 1624--- Day 907 of the Current  ( Second ) Russian Invasion of Ukraine 

                                                                       GLORY TO UKRAINE 

Hello again, here`s a few more cards that have arrived in the last while.  The first one is from Porto, Portugal. Porto is a coastal city in northwest Portugal known for its stately bridges and port wine production. Clérigos Tower, shown on the card, is the foremost undisputed landmark of Porto. The Tower opened its doors in 1763, becoming the highest bell tower of Portugal, with over 75 metres. The tower which has dominated the city skyline since 1763 has 200 steps to the top and a 49 bell carillon, which can give you quite the scare if you happen to be in the tower when it rings.

David used a 2024 stamp, 1 of 4 in a set, issued to mark the Centenary of the Lighthouse Directorate.

My second card today is my latest in the Newfoundland Towns Postmark Collection. This time it`s the town of Burin. The town  is located on the Burin Peninsula in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. 

The Burin Peninsula is often affectionately nicknamed "The Boot" due to its resemblance to the footwear when seen on a map, with the town of Burin located near the "heel". Have a look at this map and you see the boot as I mentioned. 

Burin was settled in 1718 but today still only has a population of just over 2,200  . 

The stamp is 1 of the Endangered Frogs set issued in April of this year. Postmaster Lisa made sure it received a fine Burin Postmark é cancellation.

 Lisa wrote that her childhood home can be seen on the postcard. It is the 2 story white house with the white fence to the right of the church. 

This next card arrived from Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen Island. Longyearbyen is the world's northernmost settlement with a population greater than 1,000, and is also a small coal-mining town in Norway's Svalbard archipelago. This Arctic town is known for its views of the Northern Lights . Isa's card shows a great view of Svalbard Airport. 

Isa used a lovely array of stamps on this card. The 3 stamps on the left were issued in 1980 for Norwex 80 in Oslo. The 4 on the right are part of a Tourism issue from 1999.

So ends another blog update. Thanks for today`s cards go out toi Isa, David and Lisa from Burin Post Office.  

Brcko, Timgad and Fox Harbour

                            Blog # 1623--- Day 893 of the Current  ( Second ) Russian Invasion of Ukraine 

                                                                       GLORY TO UKRAINE  

I'm back again with a few cards to have a look at. First up is a card from Timgad, Algeria. Timgad was a Roman city in the Aurès Mountains of Algeria. It was founded by the Roman Emperor Trajan around 100 CE. The full name of the city was Colonia Marciana Ulpia Traiana Thamugadi.  With its square enclosure and orthogonal design based on the cardo and decumanus, the two perpendicular routes running through the city, it is an excellent example of Roman town planning. Located 480 km south-east of Algiers and 110 km to the south of Constantine, is a consummate example of a Roman military colony , It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1982.

David used a 2021 World Teacher's Day stamp on this card.

David, I have to apologize for the lateness of getting this card on my blog. The postmark reads 25-09, 2023. For some reason it's been near the bottom of a pile of cards on my desk for quite awhile. As they say, better late than never, I guess !

Here is another card from Brcko, Bosnia and Herzegovina . 

David used an assortment of 4 stamps on this card. I'll do left to right on top and then the bottom one. From 2019 , the first 2 are from a set of 5 showing Food - grains and rice. Then from 2006, a stamp showing the Elci Ibrahim School in Travnik. The bottom stamp is from 2015 and is 1 of 3 in a set of definitives showing Berries.

Next is another card rom my Towns of Newfoundland Postmarks Collection. This time it's from Fox Harbour. Fox Harbour is a small community on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland. According to Statistics Canada the population is just over 250. The town is surrounded by hills and is located close to Argentia, the site of the a former U.S. Naval Station Argentia. 

This card arrived with a recent Indigenous Leader - Elisapie  stamp and a Fox Harbour Postmark.   

 

I have received quite a few of these Newfoundland Towns postmarked cards recently. So expect to see one or two every update. 

That's all for today. Thanks to David and the Fox Harbour Postmaster. 

Take care. 

JASPER STRONG, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cameroon, and Malaysia

   Blog # 1622--- Day 885 of the Current  ( Second ) Russian Invasion of Ukraine 

                                                                 GLORY TO UKRAINE              

Howdy folks. How are things today. Well on this end, things are good. But we have been in a heat wave for 2 weeks now, it's been 30 C or more every day. A little relief Friday past and yesterday, then it starts all over again. Hundreds of wild fires are burning in Alberta and British Colombia, thousands of people have had to leave their homes and many ore are on standby. Sadly much of the beautiful town of Jasper has been burned to the ground. About 350 buildings - homes and businesses totally gone. Also there is much damage to beautiful Jasper National Park. Of course the forest will grow back over time and so will the town. Jasperites will see to that.  So I guess things are not really good as I mentioned earlier. I was speaking on a personal level , things with me and my family are good. 

                                                                  JASPER STRONG

So without further ado I have a few cards to showcase today. First up is this card from Brčko ,  a city and the administrative seat of Brčko District, in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina. It lies on the banks of Sava river across from Croatia. As of 2013, it has a population of 39,893 inhabitants. David's card shows an evening view of he number one building in the city,- Brcko City Hall. 

 

David used a 2021 Bosnia and Herzegovina stamp  issued by the Serbian administration , or The Republic of Srpska.  It is 1 of 4 in a set of Cities stamps.

 

My second card is from the Republic of Cameroon. It arrived from Douala, the largest city in the country and located in the southwest. The card is from 2011 and celebrates Camair-Co's First Flight from Douala to Paris on 28th March 2011.  

Jean Pierre's card arrived with a 2009 stamp, 1 of 2 in a set. They were issued to celebrate the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Cameroon in March 2009. 

Now here's a card from posted from Selangor, Malaysia. It shows a little of the Malaysia Heritage. 

Ravindar used a 2024 stamp, 1 of 4 in a set, that commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the Causeway between Singapore and Malaysia. 

Today's 4th card is from Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mostar is a city in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, straddling the Neretva River. It’s known for the iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge), a reconstructed medieval arched bridge.

David used a 2003 Bird stamp showing a Greek Partridge on this card. 

Well that's about all for today. Thanks for todays cards and stamps go out to David, Jean Pierre and Ravindra. Thanks guys. 

One more thing before closing. Just so we can remember the beauty of Jasper National Park. Here is that great picture of Maligne Lake and Spirit Island. Maligne Lake is the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies. 

I will send this postcard to the First person who responds , by leaving a comment, with one interesting fact about Jasper National Park. 

No Man Is An Island

    Blog # 1621--- Day 875 of the Current  ( Second ) Russian Invasion of Ukraine 

                                                                 GLORY TO UKRAINE               

If you remember from my last blog, I mentioned that the next update would be on the theme of Islands. 

Well here it is. 

I'll start with the famous words of John Donne. " No Man Is An Island. "  It means that  " no one is self-sufficient ; everyone relies on others ."

And what does that have to do with postcards ? Not a heck of a lot I'm afraid. But today's theme is islands so I thought I'd just throw it out there. 

I was born on the island of Newfoundland, so I may have some affinity for islands. So far in life I have been to 56 islands around the world. I hope to get to a few more. 

My first card shows a few of the blue roofs of Santorini Island,  Greece. Truly a beautiful spot. 

Ana used a 2022 stamp showing some of the blue roofed building , much like what is on the card.

Island # 2 -- Martinique, located south in the Caribbean. Jean Pierre's card is a fine look at a Flamboyant tree in Le Diament , Martinique. 

Since Martinique is a Department of France, Jean Pierre used a 2024 French stamp, showing Bougainvillea. Flowers. 

Next is a card from the island of Malta, however the card itself shows a view of the island of Filfla. It is a barren, uninhabited islet south of Malta. In the past it was used as a practice area for bombing runs by British and U.S. forces. Unexploded bombs still litter its waters. 

Jean Pierre used 2 of 4 stamps in a set of Autobuses, issued in 2022. 

Now here's another Caribbean island. I'm not sure what the name of the island is or if it even has a name. This is where Sint Maarten and Saint Martin are located. Sint Maarten, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is a country on the southern part of a Caribbean island shared with Saint Martin, a French overseas collectivity. The capital of Sint Maarten is Philipsburg and that's where the cruise ship terminal is located. That is the focus of David's card. 

 

David's stamp is 1 of 6 issued in a 2023 mini-sheet featuring Butterflies. 

Bonaire is up next. It lies off Venezuela’s coast in the southern Caribbean. Bonaire is a Caribbean island in the Leeward Antilles. Officially it is termed a special Dutch municipality. 

David used 1 of 6 stamps in a 2023 mini-sheet of Butterflies. 

It time for the last island  for this update. Reunion. La Réunion, officially Department of La Réunion, is an island in the Indian Ocean that is an overseas department and region of France. Réunion Island located in the Indian Ocean, is known for its volcanic, rainforested interior, coral reefs and beaches. Its most iconic landmark is Piton de la Fournaise, a climbable active volcano standing 2,632m (8,635 ft.).

This card from Jean Pierre shows another Flamboyant tree.. 

Again since Reunion is a French Department a French stamp was used. It was issued in 2024 and shows a Bird of Paradise flower. 

That is the end of my island update. Thanks for the cards go out to Jean Pierre, David, and Ana. Of the 6 islands featured I have been to 3 of them, I am going to 1 of them in Nov and Reunion is on my bucket-list.