Stamps, a Cathedral and a Monastery

                                                                                      BLOG # 1689            

     Day 1564 ( That's One Thousand Five Hundred and Sixty Four Days ) Since the Start of the  Current ( Second )   Russian Invasion of UKRAINE .   

                                                                  GLORY TO UKRAINE  

Howdy once again. Here are a few more cards and a few more stamps to have a look at. 

My first card for today arrived from Greece. It shows the Esfigmenou Monastery on Mount Athos. 

Mount Athos, located in northeastern Greece on the Athos peninsula, is the  spiritual Centre of Eastern Orthodox monasticism. It is also known as the "Holy Mountain", it is a semiautonomous theocratic republic comprising 20 historic monasteries. Famous for its strict "Avaton" rule, the peninsula is exclusively open to male visitors and entirely closed to women. 

Dominique used a stamp from Greece issued in 2023. It is a Postcards Worldwide rate  stamp.

My next card is a photomontage of Estonian postage stamps, by Hannes Nagel.

Meelis used 2 Train stamps from 2024.

This next card shows the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It opened in 1874. The Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Sarajevo, known locally as Saborna crkva u Sarajevu, stands as a magnificent testament to the cultural and religious tapestry of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Located in the heart of Sarajevo, this cathedral is one of the largest Serbian Orthodox churches in the Balkans .

Postcrosser Dragana used a couple of stamps on her card. On the left A Train-Railways stamp from 2000. It is 1 of a set of 4.

The blue stamp on the right was issued in 2004 to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Birth of Nikola Tesla. 

As Bugs Bunny often said -- That is all folks ,  at least for today.  Thanks for the stuff you see here today go out to Dominique, Meelis and Dragana.  

See you the next time. 

The Ain Dubai and Kyzylorda

                                            BLOG # 1688            

     Day 1557 ( That's One Thousand Five Hundred and Fifty Seven Days ) Since the Start of the  Current ( Second )   Russian Invasion of UKRAINE .   

                                                                        GLORY TO UKRAINE  

Good day all. I`m back with a few cards for your pleasure. 

First up is this card from Dubai , U.A.E. Ravindra sent this card while he was in the city for a

 World Stamp Exhibition in February of this year. It shows Ain Dubai,  a giant Ferris wheel located at Bluewaters Island in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is the world's tallest observation wheel, at a height of 250 m, since October 2021. 

Ravindra used a stamp from 2019 on this card. It was issued to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research.

My next card is from Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan. Now I often say here on The Blog that there is a story behind the card  and such is the case with this card. But here is the card before the story. Here we have a beautiful yellow and white building in Kyzylorda , otherwise known as the local train station. 

David use 2025 bird stamps but I could not find any info on them. But here they are.

Now as I said earlier there is a story attached to this card.  According to David, the post office itself did not think his stamps were valid stamps. So they took photos of them and sent them off to head office. He was told only parcels and registered mail was allowed to be sent - no postcards. He had to put his postcards inside a registered envelope after buying stamps that he was not even allowed to see. The post lady stamped and cancelled the cards and they were sent on their way , registered , to Dublin, Ireland where David resent this card on to me in another envelope.   Quite the ordeal I think. 

So ends another update. Thanks to Ravindra and David for the cards and stamps shown here today. 

 

 

Tournai Cathedral, Mudejar Architecture of Aragon, Puglia and Dubai City

                                                                BLOG # 1688            

      - Day 1542

1 ( That's One Thousand Five Hundred and Forty Two Days ) Since the Start of the  Current ( Second )   Russian Invasion of UKRAINE .   

                                                            GLORY TO UKRAINE 

Howdy all, I`m back with a few cards for your perusal. My first card today was posted in Liege, Belgium. Gerda`s card shows a view of Tournai, one of the oldest cities in the country on the French border.  It’s known for the huge Cathedral of Notre-Dame, with 5 towers and a rose window. Nearby, the Grand Place is a triangular square lined with bars and restaurants. It’s dominated by the 12th-century Belfry of Tournai, with views over the city. Opposite the belfry is the Romanesque St. Quentin’s Church. Certainly an 

 impressive view on this postcard. 

Gerda used 2 stamps on this card. One is fairly old, issued in 1980. 1 of 3 in a Flowers set. The other stamp is from 2019. It is 1 of 5 in a multi-sheet issued for the 75th Anniversary of Belgium Liberation in World War II. 

My second card for today arrived from Spain. It shows the Teruel Cathedral or Catedral de Santa María de Mediavilla de Teruel , a Roman Catholic church in Teruel, Aragon, Spain. Dedicated to St. Mary, it is a notable example of Mudéjar architecture. It was built between 171 and 1257. 

The Mudejar Architecture of Aragon was inscribed on the UNESCO WHS list in 1986. 

Josep and Assumpta used a couple of stamps on their card. The left stamp was issued in 2025 celebrating Corpus Christi, Toledo. The right stamp , from 2023, Celebrates Pilar Bardem, Spanish film and tv actress.

My next card is Dubai, U.A.E. Ravindra`s card shows a framed look at some of Dubai`s buildings. 

The card arrived with 2 different Arab Postal Day stamps, 2016.

Now here`s a card from Bari, Italy. Bari is a port city on the Adriatic Sea, and the capital of southern Italy’s Puglia region. Surrounded by narrow streets, the 11th-century Basilica di San Nicola, a key pilgrimage site, holds some of St. Nicholas’ remains. Puglia is a sun drenched region forming the heel of Italy`s boot.  The card shows a few fantastically beautiful views of the area. The top one is my favorite. 

Ana used a 2024 stamp celebrating Giacomo Puccini. Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini was an Italian composer known primarily for his operas. He is widely regarded as the greatest and most successful proponent of Italian opera after Verdi. The stamp was issued marking the 166th Anniversary of Puccini`s Birth in 1858.

So ends another update of The Blog. Thanks go out to Josep and Assumpta , Gerda, Ravindra and Ana for today`s cards and stamps. 

Luxembourg Airport and Chateau Bourscheid

  BLOG # 1687

- Day 1536 ( That's One Thousand Five Hundred and Thirty Six Days ) Since the Start of the  Current ( Second )   Russian Invasion of UKRAINE .   

                                                            GLORY TO UKRAINE 

Hey welcome back to The Blog. Before I get to the cards , first I want to wish a Happy Mother`s Day to any and all Mothers reading. Enjoy your day. 

My first card today arrived from Luxembourg. It`s a look at Chateau Bourscheid. Bourscheid Castle is located near the village of Bourscheid in north-eastern Luxembourg. The medieval castle stands on a site with archeological evidence of structures dating back to Roman times. Standing majestically some 150 metres above the River Sûre, it is enclosed by a circular wall with 11 watchtowers .

This is a card from Postcrosser Steve. 

He used 2 stamps on this card. Both were issued in 2003. The left stamp showcases Breast Feeding, while the right stamp celebrates 75 years of Electrification in Luxembourg.

Well, what do you know - card 2 is also from Luxembourg. It`s all Luxembourg Airport. 

Jean Pierre used 3 stamps on this one. The left stamp, issued in 2021, celebrates the 40th Anniversary of Marriage of Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa. The middle stamp , from 2020, commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the Diocese of Luxembourg. The right stamp was issued in 2020 and celebrates Grand Duke Henri`s 20 year reign.

Well folks that`s it for today. Thanks to Steve and Jean Pierre for the cards and stamps. 

Till next time. 

 

  

Malaysia 330, Bologna, Avignon, Knysna and the Chinese Pavilion in Brussels

                                                            BLOG # 1686

- Day 1524 ( That's One Thousand Five Hundred and Twenty Four Days ) Since the Start of the  Current ( Second )   Russian Invasion of UKRAINE .   

                                                            GLORY TO UKRAINE 

Hello once again. Here we go with another bunch of cards. All good cards by the way. I will start

off today with an Aircraft card. Here we have a Malaysia Airbus 330. The A330 is a great aircraft, I have flown on it a couple of times with no complaints. 

Isa set this card from Germany.  The Peacock Definitive is from 2024. The Larger stamp on the right was issued last year, 2025, and shows Bernhard Lichtenberg, a German Catholic priest known for his outspoken opposition to the Nazi regime .

Card # 2 for today arrived from Bologna, Italy. Here is a great view of the San Petronio Basilica, built in 1389 with a capacity of 28,000. It is one of the holiest churches in Christendom and dedicated to the martyrdom of Saint Peter. 

Dominique used a stamp from this year, commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the Brera Academy.

Here is another card sent by Dominique, this time from Avignon, France. Avignon, a city in southeastern France’s Provence region, is set on the Rhône River. From 1309 to 1377, it was the seat of the Catholic popes. It remained under papal rule until becoming part of France in 1791. This legacy can be seen in the massive Palais des Papes (Popes' Palace) in the city center, which is surrounded by medieval stone ramparts.

The stamp this time was issued in 2008 and features Richelieu. Most people have heard of this guy so I will leave it at that.

Now on to the next card which is from Knysna, South Africa. Knysna is a coastal town with 76,150 inhabitants in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is one of the destinations in the lush Garden Route region. Knysna is situated 60 kilometres east of the city of George. Knysna is famous for its oysters and its seahorses.

David sent this card showing a number of views of the city and area. 

 

David used a stamp from a 2026 Endangered Vultures mini-sheet of 5.

Well I have come to that time once again - time for the last card for today. The card arrived from Watermael, Belgium.  Watermael-Boitsfort or Watermaal-Bosvoorde, often simply called Boitsfort in French or Bosvoorde in Dutch, is one of the 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium. 

The card from Meelis shows the Chinese Pavilion in Brussels. 

The Chinese Pavilion, situated amidst the green surroundings of the royal estate at Laeken, together with the nearby Japanese Tower, form a remarkable exotic ensemble built at the beginning of the 20th century on the initiative of King Leopold II. The Pavilion houses a remarkable collection of Chinese porcelain, silverware, furniture and European paintings dating from the 17th to 19th century.

The Chinese pavilion is part of the site of the Museums of the Far East together with the Japanese Tower and the Museum of Japanese Art. 

Meelis used 3 different Bird stamp along with a 2016 stamp featuring the New NATO Headquarters.

So as Bugs Bunny used to say, That is all folks. This update is just about over. Thanks for the great cards go out to Isa, Dominique, Dominique again, David, and Meelis. 

Take care. Be back soon. 

  

A Bridge, A Jet, A Hare and Stamps

  BLOG # 1685

- Day 1521 ( That's One Thousand Five Hundred and Twenty One Days ) Since the Start of the  Current ( Second )   Russian Invasion of UKRAINE .   

                                                                              GLORY TO UKRAINE 

Thanks for checking out The Blog, I have a couple of cards for you to peruse. I have been away from The Blog, but not away anywhere. Just very busy with life.

So hoping to make the best of it today. So let me start with a card from Estonia. It shows a Swiss Airbus A320. The scuttlebutt says planes in Europe might soon run out of jet fuel if things do not change soon. Flights are getting cancelled already for the summer and fares are increasing. So as the Ghostbusters used to say ( who are you going to call ). I know who I would like to call. 

Meelis used three stamps on this card. The top left stamp was issued in 2025 showing Culture for Minorities. The right stamp was issued in 2922 and is 1 of 2 of a Europa Myths and Legends issue. The small green stamp is a Definitive from 2025. 

Just my opinion but I think the Europa stamp is a pretty nice stamp. Just something about it. 

Card number 2 is from Germany. As a long time stamp collector or some might say philatelist, what could be better than receiving a postcard showing only stamps. In this case they are all stamps from the Netherlands with many showing former Dutch Queen Beatrix. The card is kinda old , it dates back to 1991. 

Isa used 2 stamps here. The large stamp on top is from this year and celebrates the 800th Anniversary of the city of Hamm. The other stamp is from 2024 and is a Peacock Definitive. 

The third card is from Gaborone, Botswana. It  gives us a look at part of the $260 million Kasungula Bridge which links Botswana and Zambia. It was opened in 2021 and is 923 meters long.

Jean Pierre used a 2023 stamp, 1 of 16 in a set highlighting the Diamond Industry.  The card arrived with a plain, circular postmark, but a superb one, the kind every postcard should receive. 

ow a card from Germany, a picture of a Hare by German sculptor Winfried Becker. 

It is cast iron and 58 cm high. 

Dominique used a 2025 stamp Mallorca. Why Mallorca , you may ask .  Mallorca is often nicknamed the 17th federal state of Germany due to its immense popularity among German tourists and residents. Roughly 4–5 million Germans visit annually, with a large, permanent German expat community (about 13% of foreign residents) living on the Spanish island .

That is The Blog update for this time. 

Thanks for cards go out to Dominique, Jean Pierre, Isa and Meelis.

Four lads from Mexico, Signagi City Hall, Wallis & Futuna and Tromso

 BLOG # 1684

- Day 1500 ( That's One Thousand Five Hundred Days) Since the Start of the  Current ( Second )   Russian Invasion of UKRAINE .   

Howdy folks, it's time for another update of The Blog. I have a number of great cards, with great stamps all from  great people. So sit back , relax , sip your coffee or tea and enjoy what you are about to see and read. 

First up is this card from Mata Utu , the capital city of Wallis and Futuna, an overseas collectivity of France. It is located on the island of Uvéa, Jean Pierre's card is a look at a very tranquil scene on Mahina at sunset. I can just imagine stringing a hammock between those two trees and passing away a day.

The stamp shows a local making kava. Kava is a traditional South Pacific drink made by kneading or blending dried root powder with water, then straining it to create a calming , earthy beverage. 

Next up is a card from Georgia, the country not the state. Here we see the city Hall of Signagi. Signagi or Sighnaghi is a town in Georgia's easternmost region of Kakheti and the administrative center of the Signagi Municipality. Although it is one of Georgia's smallest towns,Signagi serves as a popular tourist destination due to its location at the heart of Georgia's wine-growing regions. 

Alena used two large stamps on this card. The left stamp was issued in 2017, 1 of 2 in a Europa set of Castles. The right stamp, from 2025, was issued to commemorate the Battle of Martkopi.

Here now is a card from Niwot, Colorado, USA. Niwot has a population of 3,719. The town is recognized for being  the former headquarters of footwear company Crocs, Inc, for more than a decade prior to June 2020. Niwot is a suburb of Denver and one of the best places to live in Colorado. I like to  receive cards from small towns like Niwot , with their own postmarks. Sooner or later Niwot will be gobbled up by Denver and the Niwot name will be gone, no more cards will have a Niwot postmark, they will all read Denver. 

Getting back to the card , it shows a photo from 1910. Here we see four armed hombres or desperadoes arriving on a locomotive to the Mexican state of Morelos. No doubt looking for a fight.

A Postcrosser named Suz sent this card to me. She used a Washington stamp from 2003, an Eid stamp from 2001 and 2 Love stamps from 1999.

It`s time now for the Last Card for today. It arrived from Tromso, Norway. On the front is written `` Hilsen Fra Tromso `` which means Greetings from Tromso. The city is the northern most city in Norway and is the capital of the Arctic. It is a premier destination for viewing the Northern Lights in winter and experiencing the Midnight Sun in summer. 

 David used a stamp from 2025 which celebrated 200 years of Emigration to North America. 

There you have it, another update to The Blog. Thanks for the fine cards today go to Jean Pierre, Alena, Suz and David. 

Take care and we`ll do it again soon.