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)

The Westernmost Point Of Ireland

A stunning view of the Dunmore Head (officially the westernmost point of Ireland and arguably Europe) and beyond the Blasket Islands, taken from Slea Head - all Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, southwest Ireland. Lots of names to remember! But the view is very easy to remember surely even more so 'in person', especially with all those sheep staring at you lol thanks Patrik! Extra thanks for the lovely stamps :)

 

UNESCO - Bryggen, Norway

Bryggen, the old wharf of Bergen, is a reminder of the town’s importance as part of the Hanseatic League’s trading empire from the 14th to the mid-16th century. Many fires, the last in 1955, have ravaged the characteristic wooden houses of Bryggen. Its rebuilding has traditionally followed old patterns and methods, thus leaving its main structure preserved, which is a relic of an ancient wooden urban structure once common in Northern Europe. Today, some 62 buildings remain of this former townscape.

 

EUROPA Chain Postcard

2nd chain postcard success - it actually ran parallel to the 1st one, this time we were using this year's EUROPA stamp issues with the theme musical instruments. I had an unwritten postcard from Cuba that fit the theme perfectly, and here is the end result :) Croatian and Slovenian have similar colours, and Finnish and Luxembourg are equally multi-colour :)

Many thanks to Leonardo, Mervi and Anne!

 

Strážov Mountains, Slovakia

Strážov Mountains are one of the largest mountain ranges in the Fatra-Tatra Area of Slovakia in the country's north. The postcard shows the Kostolecká tiesňava (Kostolcka narrow). Loving the panoramic view...and the 2012 Europa stamp, thank you Lubeno :))

 

UNESCO - Roskilde Cathedral, Denmark

 

The Scandinavia's first Gothic brick cathedral, situated on the island Zealand, dates from the 12th century and has been the mausoleum of the Danish royal family since the 15th. Great addition to my collection and lovely Europa stamp, thank you Genek :)

Icelandic Nature Delights

 

More views of the beautiful Iceland, images that we can easily associate with this enigmatic island of the far north: aurora borealis during the great solar storm in March of 2012, 40-meter-high Seljalandsfoss waterfall on the south, and eruption of the Fimmvorduhals volcano in 2010. Lovely stamps, including Europa :))

At The Table

Its lunch-time! So I remembered this cute postcard...which sez 'Nothing unites the opposites better than a mutual passion' xD

Inuit Girl, Greenland

And the last card for today, a special treat! Showing an Inuit girl in her traditional clothes, in a typical Greenland landscape (or not? one would expect ice i guess..!) and the name in flag colours. Whats more, it was sent with the current Europa stamp showing mail delivery by sleigh. So brilliant, thanks a zillion Arnold! :))

Jersey Multiview

During the last week I have received many wonderful cards, most of them Unesco (yay) but also a few precious items 'on the side' :) As I am heading home for a break and dont have much time to update, here are some of the un-unesco cards!

My 2nd postcard from Jersey is a multiview of this small territory that is part of the Channel Islands, complete with the current Europa stamp. Wonderful, thanks so much Andrea!

Encamp, Andorra

Encamp is the main town in the parish of the same name in central Andorra, situated on the Valira d'Orient river in a beautiful mountainous setting. Many thanks to Fabienne for this view and using the Europa stamp :)

In 2011 Europa stamps presented forests, and most of those stamps were/are gorgeous - I am happy to show some of them here for Sunday Stamps #131 theme Trees. Please check my other posts below, and what others have contributed this week :)

UNESCO - Historic Centre of Tallinn, Estonia

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is an orthodox cathedral in the Tallinn Old Town, built in in a typical Russian Revival style between 1894 and 1900, during the period when the country was part of the Russian Empire.

The Tallinn Town Hall (Tallinna raekoda) is a building in the Tallinn Old Town; it is the only intact gothic style town hall in the Northern Europe. The first recorded mention dates from 1322. Its present form dates from 1402–1404, when the building was rebuilt.

 

The first wall around Tallin was ordered to be constructed by Margaret Sambiria in 1265 and for that reason, it was known as the Margaret Wall. The walls were enlarged and strengthened in the fourteenth century;  many gates are still largely extant today.

Both of the Europa: Astronomy stamps from 2009 were used; dedicated to the eminent Estonian astrophysicist Jaan Einasto who is one of the discoverers of the large-scale structure of the Universe. Another thanks for...:)

Rome, Italy

A multiview card of Rome sent from Vatican with a great Europa stamp, at the time when I hadn't had a slightest clue what Europa stamps are! xD What I also love is the postmark, though faint. I hope it doesn't fade with time! And of course many words to read on the back so I can see how Ash is doing :)

UNESCO - Kronborg Castle, Denmark

Kronborg is a castle and star fortress in the town of Helsingør, Denmark, immortalized as Elsinore in William Shakespeare's play Hamlet. It dates back to a stronghold, Krogen, built by King Eric VII in the 1420s; From 1574 to 1585 King Frederick II had the medieval fortress radically transformed into a magnificent Renaissance castle. In 1785 the castle ceased to be a royal residence and was converted into barracks for the army. The army left the castle in 1923, and after a thorough renovation it was opened to the public.

Beautiful addition to my Unesco collection with the Europa stamp, many thanks to bimbim :))



Le Rocher, Monaco

The Principality of Monaco is the second smallest and the most densely populated country in the world -  it has an area of 1.98 km² and a population of 36 371, and is situated about 16 km from Italy. Monaco is a principality governed under a form of constitutional monarchy, with Prince Albert II as head of state. The House of Grimaldi have ruled Monaco, with brief interruptions, since 1297.

The postcard says 'Monte Carlo', which is the most popular of the ten wards Monaco is divided into; but it actually shows Monaco-Ville or simply Le Rocher (The Rock), as it is situated on a rocky promontory into the Mediterranean Sea. It's where you'd find the Prince's Palace.

A funny thing to be said! I have one other written & stamped card of Monaco, sent to me by my sis who was there 5 years ago. And its exactly the same card..! I should have posted it here heh, now i don't have to. The Europa stamp and the cancellations are GREAT, thanks so much Marta :)

Misstigri - La Parisienne

One of the many beautiful illustrations by Misstigri...I sure do wish to receive more. Thank you Steff, and of course for the great Europa stamp :))

Beaufort Castle, Luxembourg

 

Beaufort is a commune and town in eastern Luxembourg - its castle was built through four periods, the oldest part in the early 11th century. Since 1981 its been owned by the state. This beautiful view is something dreams are made of - thank you very much Anne :) and for the Europa stamp too!