And A Very Happy New Year!

Auld Lang Syne - is a Scots-language poem written by Robert Burns in 1788, but based on an older Scottish folk song. It is traditionally sung to bid farewell to the old year, and translates into standard English as 'old long since' i.e. long, long ago.

So here's for the sake of old times, but may the new times be (even) better!

Sand Lizard, UK Stamp Card

Royal Mail issues some fantastic sets of stamps and often these are printed on cards too - as the value of the stamp itself is rather high, I will probably never have it used on the back, but this postcard is a wonderful addition to my lizard collection :)

As I have returned to postcrossing recently, this also meant joining different tags and RRs on the Postcrossing forum site. There are three (if not more) favourites tags, which means you get to tag the last person in the thread if you have a postcard from their album of favourites. Alas not much has changed since I last tried to participate - most people don't favour view- or tourist cards, which means its tough for someone from a country like mine where such cards are prevalent...In the last couple of months of stalking I managed to tag - twice. In return I was tagged by Rachel, who not only sent me this card but adorned it with such a great selection of stamps - many MANY thanks!

Vintage Southampton

Has it been two weeks already? I wonder where the time went, hmm. Anyways! To break the silence, here are first two vintage postcards showing England's Southampton. As it was the turn-around port while working on the ship, I have gotten to know this place quite well - well at least the shopping area... After a while I've realised there is more history to it than I've imagined, and I've almost missed it. Also, I do love these type of old posties :)

Green Lizard

It is a simple title but there is a reason for it - I am not sure which species exactly this is...! It is a postcard printed in Ukraine, sent from the UK, and only has 'lizard' printed on the back. Hurray :) What is more interesting here is, I have found a fellow lizard fan among the postcrossers, and this was our first swap. Thank you Fjara - interesting stamp as well :) (EUROPA 2001 water theme, Royal Mail issued Pond Life stamps; this is a Great Diving Beetle)

Here Comes A Tiger

Nothing to add but...what a fantastic photo! It illustrates the strength and mysteriousness of this powerful predator. Thank you Eileen :))

UNESCO - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK

This historic landscape garden features elements that illustrate significant periods of the art of gardens from the 18th to the 20th centuries. The gardens house botanic collections (conserved plants, living plants and documents) that have been considerably enriched through the centuries. Since their creation in 1759, the gardens have made a significant and uninterrupted contribution to the study of plant diversity and economic botany.

Oh boy...I have received this card not last, but the year before last - the last time I have participated in a forum group, in the vacation RR. Thanking Paulina for this showcase of the Kew Gardens through the seasons :)

 

Dartmoor Ponies, UK

Helen lives on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, an area of moorland in south Devon, England. The Dartmoor pony is a horse breed that has lived in south western England for centuries and is used for a variety of disciplines. Because of the extreme weather conditions experienced on the moors, the Dartmoor is a particularly hardy breed with excellent stamina. Over the centuries it has been used as a working animal by local tin miners and quarry workers. It is kept in a semi-feral state on Dartmoor.

Very cute, thanks Helen! Also for the excellent stamps :))

Plumed Basilisk

Also called lagarto de Jesus Cristo (Jesus Christ lizard) for its ability to run on the surface of water; this member of the corytophanid family is found in Central American rainforests near rivers and streams. It is also an excellent swimmer and can stay under water for up to 30 minutes.

My first basilisk in lizard collection, thanks to Bryony :))

 

A Cottage In Devon

With more getaway thoughts...does it get any better than the british countryside? I just love these thatched cottages, and imagine a small shop and post office around the corner, some sort of a quirky fare on a weekend, and green hills in the background...my heart is set. Thank you Helen, and the stamp with Waterloo battle stamp is fantastic!

UNESCO - The Forth Bridge, UK

This railway bridge, spanning the estuary of the Forth River in Scotland, was the world’s earliest great multispan cantilever bridge, and at 2,529 m remains one of the longest. It opened in 1890 and continues to carry passengers and freight. Its distinctive industrial aesthetic is the result of a forthright and unadorned display of its structural components. Innovative in style, materials and scale, the Forth Bridge is an important milestone in bridge design and construction during the period when railways came to dominate long-distance land travel.

This is one of the 24 newly-inscribed  whs sites, courtesy of Eileen and a friend - very much obliged  :)

Snowdonia, Wales

Continuing with getaway thoughts...Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales, located in Snowdonia National Park (Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri) in Gwynedd, and has been described as "probably the busiest mountain in Britain''.It is designated as a national nature reserve for its rare flora and fauna.

I have climbed the mount exactly six years ago, and loved every second of it...well almost, at one point we stepped off the designated track and the stones started slipping under my feet, and i could see nothing but clouds and mist around me, but also i am easily freaked out heh. Thank you Bryony-Fjara for sending me this card to remind me of the good times :)

And the stamps are quite refreshing for these hot summer days..!

UNESCO - Bath, UK

Bath is a city in Somerset county, south-west England. The city was first established as a spa with the Latin name Aquae Sulis by the Romans sometime in the AD 60s, about 20 years after they had arrived in Britain. The Roman remains, especially the Temple of Sulis Minerva and the baths complex, are amongst the most famous and important Roman remains north of the Alps.

The Roman Baths themselves are below the modern street level - the buildings above street level date from the 19th century. I have been to Bath but not the Roman Baths...sadly. But the city is gorgeous!

The view of the baths thanks to Anu and another great swap, with a matching stamp (yay!) and Hereford Bull, cute!

UNESCO - Frontiers Of The Roman Empire, UK

 

Hadrian's Wall was a defensive fortification in Roman Britain, begun in AD 122. It was 80 miles long, stretching from west to the east coast of Britain (Carlisle to Corbridge); during time much of the wall has disappeared, the building stone being used in road construction in the 18th century.

In the summer of 2009 we had four days to drive to the north and walk parts of the Hadrian's Wall Path :) I cannot describe the feeling, walking the green hills...there was, and is, something strangely homely about it. The weather served us well as we camped along the way, local people were very friendly and many cow and sheep saw us through lol Needless to say I'd love to go back and do the whole stretch..!

The place on the last photo is amazing - it is called Sycamore Gap and has become widely known for a movie scene - thats why its also called Robin Hood Tree :)

Stad Amsterdam

The Stad Amsterdam (City of Amsterdam) is a three-masted clipper that was built in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in 2000 at the Damen Shipyard. It was modelled after the mid-19th century frigate Amsterdam, but she is not a replica - a major difference is that the hull is made of steel.

In September 2009 Stad Amsterdam was refitted to accommodate a televised research expedition, tracing the second voyage of HMS Beagle (1831–1836).The ship re-sailed the route of the Beagle in approximately 8 months while collecting information to allow comparison between Charles Darwin's Beagle observations and the current ones.

The show was aired by the Dutch public broadcaster VPRO as Beagle: In Darwin's wake.

Brighton Night Street View, UK

Once upon a time, I visited this hip british coastal town for the 2nd time...and I hope there will be a 3rd one.

Bagpuss

I have never heard of Bagpuss before seeing this stamp, but hey its a puss :D It is a UK children's television series, and only 13 episodes were made back in 1974 but it remained a classic. The title character was "a saggy, old cloth cat, baggy, and a bit loose at the seams".

Come to think of it, its interesting how cats are being portrayed in the media - its hard to think of a cat character that that is overall positive..! This one might be closest to it. Thanks Eileen :))

UNESCO - St Kilda, UK

This volcanic archipelago, with its spectacular landscapes, is situated off the coast of the Hebrides and comprises the islands of Hirta, Dun, Soay and Boreray. It has some of the highest cliffs in Europe, which have large colonies of rare and endangered species of birds, especially puffins and gannets. The archipelago, uninhabited since 1930, bears the evidence of more than 2,000 years of human occupation in the extreme conditions prevalent in the Hebrides. Human vestiges include built structures and field systems, the cleits and the traditional Highland stone houses. They feature the vulnerable remains of a subsistence economy based on the products of birds, agriculture and sheep farming.

 

I once saw this postcard on a friend's blog and thought oh how lucky she is...it shows The Village (Am Baile)m the largest settlement found on the south side of the island, overlooking the Village Bay or Loch Hirta.

The medieval village on Hirta was rebuilt in the 19th century, but the influences of religious zeal, illnesses brought by increased external contacts through tourism, and the First World War all contributed to the island's evacuation in 1930. How lucky to get this as an official card, thanks so much Iain!

 

UNESCO - Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City, UK

Liverpool played an important role in the growth of the British Empire and became the major port for the mass movement of people; it was a pioneer in the development of modern dock technology, transport systems and port management.

In 2012, the site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger due to the proposed construction of Liverpool Waters project. It is one of only two endangered World Heritage Sites in Europe (the second endangered site are Medieval Monuments in Kosovo).

 

There are so many buildings and statues included as whs! The ones you can see here are The Liver Building and  The Port of Liverpool Building continuing to Albert Dock, as well as Walker Art Gallery situated in a so-called 'cultural quarter'. Cheers amigo :)

 

The University Of Oxford

I have decided that its a better idea to post older scans and be patient with the new postcards (instead of taking photos of them...I may make a few exceptions). I will now post some cards from my older trips, no big explanations just short impressions :) And the impression of Oxford was - very fine and classy! Looks like a perpetual movie set :)

 

UNESCO - Old And New Towns Of Edinburgh, Scotland

 

Once I posted about beautiful Edinburgh but since then I've received more postcards so an update is required :) I better not tell you how long it took me to identify the buildings on this picture...I thought the Bank Of Scotland in the front is New Town, but oh so confusing when a bank has a dozen addresses..! The Old town is of course represented by the Edinburgh Castle, and the gothic spire on the left doesnt belong to a church as I readily presumed, but to The Hub which is home to Edinburgh International Festival. I was happy to find a matching stamp in the local PO, which is quite a feat on the British soil :)) The cancellation is kind of funny cos it appears to be only a circle..!

This view of Edinburgh Castle by the fool moon was sent to me by Polina/Poncha for the vacation RR :)
After closer inspection I found out that in fact this postcard includes the New Town - the Clock Tower belongs to the luxury Balmoral Hotel which is situated at its very southern edge. Still, would be nice to get a postcard vith a more substantial view of the New Town :)

 

Another great view, this time a surprise card from Sara - and awesome stamp! Danke vielmals ;)
Although I've been to Edinburgh some years ago i get a bit envious when I hear of people travelling there heh. I have been in love with the British Isles for as long as i can remember, and Edinburgh was everything i imagined and wished for esp as we arrived during the famous Fringe Festival - the streets were so busy, colourful and alive!

At the camping site we got free tickets for a comedy act by the Irish comedian Paddy Lennox, which was a new experience for me :) and the streets were full of exciting young performers, just so much fun! I hope to return to Scotland one day, as I still need to go further north to spot Nessie :)