French Towns and a KLM DC10-30

 BLOG  # 1471

In the Time of Covid

I'm not sure how many cards I'll get through today, but it's a good day for blogging- weather wise that is. Yesterday was a sunny day and 27 C. Today we have a high of 11 C with rain later and tomorrow the projected high is 9 C and rain. The overnight low tonight will be 3 and tomorrow night 1. That'll maybe mean snow in the mountain parks. Did someone say summer is over ? 

Now on to the cards . First I have three cards from France, all of which were sent by Dominique. The first is from Etretat in north-western France. The area is known for its chalk cliffs and 3 natural arches. There is also a pointed formation called L'Aiguille or The Needle which rises 70 metres above the sea. Claude Monet was attracted to the area - he did several paintings of the cliffs and sea stacks in the area. One more interesting fact about Etretat - it is the last place in France from which the 1927 biplane L'Oiseau Blanc or the White Bird was seen . It disappeared somewhere over the Atlantic, along with pilots Nungesser and Coli. 

  

Dominique used a great Aviation themed airmail stamp on this card from 1982.   It shows the French plane Southern Cross. 

 

Dominique's second card shows Mont Sainte Odile. This is a 764 metre high peak in the Vosgens mountains in Alsace. The mountain is named after Saint Odile. Shown on the card is a monastery / convent at the top of the mount and it is notable for its stone fortifications called " the Pagan Wall " . Sadly in 1992 an Air Inter Airbus A320 crashed in this area with 87 casualties and 9 survivors.  

Dominique used an apt stamp on this card. It was issued this year and commemorates the 1300th Anniversary of the Disappearance of Saint Odile. She is the patroness saint of the blind and partially sighted. 

Card # 3 shows the port of Honfleur, a city in Normandy near where the Seine meets the English Channel. The city is knows for its port and for its slate covered homes. These have been painted by a number of artists over the years. Honfleur has a couple of Canada connections. In 1508 a local man Jean Denis departed for Newfoundland island and the mouth of the St Lawrence River. Then in 1608 an expedition organised by Samuel de Champlain founded the city of Quebec. 

The stamps on this one, also from 2020, Commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of French polymath Boris Vian. I don't know about you, but I had to look that one up.   

Next it's a card from the Netherlands. Another great item for my Aircraft / Airline card collection. Shown is a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines DC10-30. PH-DTF was delivered new to KLM in 1973. It later saw service with VIASA, World Airways, American and Omni Air. The airframe was scrapped in Tulsa Oklahoma in 2001. 

Barbara sent this card. She and I have traded cards a number of times the past couple years. She used a Europa stamp from this year. It is from a set of 2 featuring Ancient Postal Routes.

Well that does it for today. I was going to show a few more but they can wait until tomorrow. 

Today I have to thank Dominique, and Barbara for the cards I showcased this time.

Thanks for dropping in today, If the rain forecasted for tomorrow shows up, I  think I should be here once again. 

Remember we're in Covid times so wear a mask, wash your hands and keep your distance.