Bicycles, Ukraine

So, one more card for today...ok, that is actually one more post, with two card :)

...and it is bicycles again, sorry :)))
These come from Ukraine, and on the first one we can see a number of people on old bicycles...I really really wish I could at least once take a ride on such a bike...they are real classic!

This card came as part of the Choose a Country RR, two years ago, thanks to Kristine

She also used a number of nice stamps on it...first we have a cool monkey stamp from a set of 12 stamps issued in 2013, representing the Lunar Calendar, and each stamp represents one of the animals...as if Kristine knew why she should send me the monkey one :) and on each stamp you can also see the actual years for that particular sign.
Next to it is another stamp issued in 2013, representing the History of National Communication, while the one below it is a flora stamp, issued in 2012, showing the Fraxinus excelsior.

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This other bicycle card arrived as an official recently and it says "I love Ukraine very very much"...

I dont know why the bicycle in the picture...I never would have related Ukraine to bicycles, but I certainly don't mind...it makes one beautiful postcard! 

the stamp is a definitive issued in 2013.

So, that would be all for today...hope you didn't mind the bicycle over-dose :)

stay well and enjoy your week ahead!!

Suurupi Lighthouses, Estonia

I really great maxi-card from Estonia that has been neglected since 2011...don't know why...

Here you can see the two Suurupi lighthouses; the Suurpi rear lighthouse, which was completed in 1760 (the one on the left) and the Suurupi front lighthouse (the one on the right) which was built in 1859 and is the oldest and currently the only wooden lighthouse still functioning in Estonia. It acquired its final shape after several alterations in 1888.

Suurpi, btw, is a small village in Estonia :)

there are three stamps on the back...the two below the airmail sticker were issued in 2011 in a set of five from the Post Horn series. The other one is a definitive from 2007.

Curonian Spit, Lithuania

I posted about the Lithuanian part of the Curonian Spit once...but that was long long ago, so here is a small reminder...plus the cards are really beautiful, it is a shame to leave them at the bottom of some box or drawer.

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First one is an official received in 2013, showing the Great Dune. Nida is located on the Curonian Spit between the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea, and is the westernmost point of Lithuania and the Baltic states 

the stamp is from a set of two Lithuanian Red Book stamps issued in 2013, showing birds. On this one you can see the Tawny Pipit.

I received this second card also in 2013 as part of the Choose a Country RR. This reminds me that I haven't taken part in a RR in ages and it seems it's gonna stay that way for a while =/ Mainly cos of financial reasons, plus my general procrastinating habit, so I believe it aint fair to be engaging in activities that I cannot respond to properly.
Anyways...the card shows the Grabštas cape, that's also part of the Curonian Spit.

the stamp is from a set of two issued in 2009, portraying the Preserve the Polar Regions and Glaciers subject.

Happy Birthday to Hippy Happy! And some Dutch bicycles....=)

Well, probably my greatest motivation to move my ass and do something productive here was that today is Hippy Happie's first birthday! Exactly one year ago I fell in love at first sight and ride and have spent a lot of fantastic moments hanging around with it...I have to say that it did change my life in a way, though i can't properly explain how...but certainly it deserves a post here to blow that candle, and wish both of us a lot of new great adventures and times spent together! ❤

My precious! (I still need to get him a basket though...)

Well now, this is also like an excuse to bother you with a bunch of bicycle cards....that unintentionally all ended up to be Dutch...so be prepared to be bored...or enjoy yourself...depending on how much of a bike lover you are :)

received in the fast favourites tag....I know that Hippy Happy is already colourful enough...but I've been thinking of decorating it with some Christmas lights actually...at least for the season...and enjoy some night rides :)

From a set of two "Green Initiatives" stamps.

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Beautiful Holland indeed!  Something Macedonia will never be bike-wise...at least not in my lifetime

so cool to have a bike card with a bike stamp! (the lighthouse one is just a bonus!) The bicycle stamp is from a set of 5 Dutch Icons' stamps issued this year, while the lighthouse one I believe is also from 2014...but for some reason I got a bit stuck with the info on it...

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This is the kind of woven basket I'd like to buy or my bike....though if possible in black...to suit it better

a number of nice and colourful stamps! the one on the right is from a set of three Child care stamps issued in 1992. The middle one is from a set of three Child welfare stamps issued in 1987 while the one on the left is also from a set of three Child welfare stamps from 1990. I like it how they are all thematically related...

Peggy was so kind to send me this card after I have had it in my favourites for ages! I just love it! The colours, the scenery...everything! So typically Amsterdamish :)

nice colourful stamps again! the one on the left is from a set of three stamps issued in 1992, simply called Summer stamps. The middle one is also from 1992 issued for the  Expo '92 in Sevilla (comes in a set of two). While the third stamp on the right was issued in 1983 commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the ANWB (or the Dutch touring club if im not mistaken?)

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Love the colour of this bike! One of the many thoughtful official cards when people are so kind and try to find something they know I will like :)

the first two from the left are definitives issued in 2012. The third stamp was issued in 2009 in a set of two stamps simply called Beautiful Netherlands, while the last one is from 2008 from a set of ten mushroom stamps commemorating The 100th Anniversary of the Netherlands' Mycological Society

Surprise card from Alvin showing a scene from the tiny village of Straphorst, where inhabitants like to get stuck on old traditions and religion and where still many people wear traditional costumes in their daily lives.

Part from a beautiful sheet of the Beautiful Netherlands theme, issued in 2013

One more strike from Peggy with a lovely Amsterdamish card! She says that most bicycle cards of Amsterdam show bikes neatly lined up but this is a more accurate picture and that every bridge and every railing has at least one bike attached to it upside down, most of the time missing at least one part. She says that  you should consider yourself lucky if you find your bike at all as 50000 to 80000 bikes are stolen in Amsterdam only, every year.
Hmm, ok, now im having some second thoughts about wanting to live in Amsterdam...

Beautiful stamps again. I already mentioned the one on the very right that is a part of the 1990 Child Welfare stamps. The middle one is from a set of three Summer stamps issued in 1983 representing the Zoo, while the stamp on the left is also from 1983 from the EUROPA issue on Communications.

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another bike with a lovely colour! and the atmosphere is relaxing indeed...it would be great if I had the chance to ride mine near a lake or a sea or something on a lovely spring day.

God help me on this one! Either Im repeatedly blind or this one doesn't exist in the stamp catalogs online?!!

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Probably the most typical scene in a Dutch countryside ...Drente is shown on this postcard in particular...at the bottom right picture you can see those two guys in a partially lying position on their bicycles...ive seen those here as well...but for some reason I think that riding on such a bike aint as comfy as riding a normal one...mainly cos you have to keep your head straight all the time...there is no such thing as a cushion or something to lean back on....so ill still stick to the regular type...until I maybe try this one for real and happen to like it :)

From a set of two personal stamps titled Europe and the World, issued in 2012

The last Dutch card is not just about bicycles but also about another Dutch icon, and that is Anne Frank...I think the combination of the wall and the bikes is just great and really fitting...love it!!

that butterfly stamp is one of the first Dutch stamps Ive known since I often used to see it on the letters my penfriends used to send me..issued in 1993 in a set of three stamps. the other one is another oldie, dating back to 1986, issued in a set of four charity stamps.

well, I think I may have exhausted all my Dutch bike cards..and I believe you won't want to see another bike card for a while now :)

Sayram Lake, China

yeah, this is like one of the most fantastic and absolutely breathtaking cards from China I have received...EVER EVER EVER...the fact that there is so much blue in it is like a cherry on top!

Received it last year from Di for the Choose a Country RR.
Here you can see the Sayram Lake of Xinjiang.
It is the largest alpine lake in Xinjiang (458 km²) and also the highest(2,070 m).
In the Kazakh language Sayram means 'blessing'.
It is said that it was composed of the tears of a couple of Kazak young lovers. A beautiful girl and a young man were deeply in love. One day, a cruel devil was captivated by the girl's beauty. He captured the girl and confined her to his residence. The girl took a chance to escape, but the devil found out very soon and went after the girl. She was forced to jump into an abyss. Later, her boyfriend heard of this and he was so sad that he jumped into the abyss to be reunited with his lover. Their painful tears flooded into the abyss and formed Sayram Lake
Legends are always nicer than the actual scientific stuff..even though rather cheesy sometimes :)

look at those gorgeous cat stamps!! Issued in a set of 4 cats' stamps in 2013. Love them!!
Next to it is a stamp representing Dai Architecture, issued in 1998 in a set of 4 stamps...and then you have the small green one representing the environment - a definitive issued in a set of 2 stamps in 2002

Route 66, USA

Maybe you remember, maybe you dont...maybe you've never been introduced to the fact that when it comes to DM, there must be a Route 66 card as well...with a slight difference that this time there will be more than one card...cos it's been like two years since I've posted anything Route 66...and then I've acquired so many Route 66 cards over time...so should give them a fair chance to be shown...plus, all the ones for today come from different people..and with lovely different stamps...how could I have resisted??



First one comes from Erin, for the North American RR...

the text on the back says: This legendary route began in 1926 in Chicago, IL and passes through the states of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and ends in Santa Monica, CA. This 2,448 mile stretch of highway is also known as "The Mother Road", "Main Street USA", and Will Roger's Highway.
I definitely prefer "Route 66"

stamps: the American Clock, the American Toleware, the Silver Coffeepot (I think this one doesn't come so often, issued in 2007), a great lighthouse stamp from the 2013 New England Coastal Lighthouses set, showing the Boston Harbor in Massachusetts...and a lovely Johnny Cash stamp, also issued in 2013.


Another one that arrived for the North American RR, this time from Megan.

no text on the back, but that's why there is a bunch of cool stamps!

starting from the cat...pardon, the Bobcat, issued in 2012..then there is an old stamp showing Garibaldi, issued in a set of two stamps in 1960...next to it is an 'energy conservation' stamp issued in 1977. And two Forever stamps from 2013 - first comes one commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Death of Althea Gibson, 1927-2003, while the other one commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington.


Get your kick...or get your fill..whichever you prefer...though if you are a lady I guess you wouldn't mind this scene along your Route 66 journey ;-)

received this one from Denise and she says that back in the days attendants did pump gas for the customers....sorry for the dumb question, but when did this change? and who is in charge for pumping gas now?

3 stamps - George Washington from 2011, and two adorable Pixar stamps from 2012, showing "A Bug's Life" and "Monsters"


One more for the North American RR....from Cynthia..

back of the card: Route 66 was declared 'The Main Street of America" by the U.S. Highway 66 Association. Originally used as an advertisement to stimulate tourism on the highway, the nickname was never forgotten.

stamps: the American clock...the Chippendale chair next to it (I dont think I see this one often - issued in 2004...and two great stamps from a set of 4 issued in 2012, representing Innovative Choreographers - in particular, José Arcadio Limón, and Robert Louis Fosse



I love this black and white sign..and arrived from...well, of course, Bryon..such an update couldn't go without him ;-)

he added a new Route 66 to my collection and new lovely stamps! though im quite sure he has forgotten he has sent it to me...since it dates back from March 2012 (yeah, shame on me!)

first one was issued in 1982, showing Francis of Assissi...next is a very very cool stamp called "Take me out to the ball game", issued in 2008...and a Forever stamp from 2012, putting some attention on Heart Health.




one from Esra for the favourites tag!

back of the card:
* Established in 1926 and since celebrated in popular music, film and literature
*Spanned 8 states and 3 time zones
* Has had several nicknames, including "The Mother Road", "The Main Street of America" and the "Will Rogers Highway"
* Used by migrant farm workers headed to California during the 1930's Dust Bowl
* In 1984, the last segment of US 66 in Arizona decommissioned as federal highway
* Several segments are still named 66, but instead designated as state highways
* Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington D.C displays a 40-foot stretch of the highway
* Portions now designated as National Scenic Byway marked "Historic Route 66"

a somewhat forgotten stamp - issued in 2012, showing the Lancaster County in Pennsylvania...



aaaand just one more!

absolutely love this one! the car gives such a cool feeling to it all...like from some old horror movie...and I almost read "hell" on the sign, just to realize it was a "Shell" sign...disappointments! :)
Received from Angie, for the Choose a Country RR...

George Washington again on a stamp...and two new ones,both Forverer stamps issued in 2012...above George is a Sailing ship, commemorating The 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812...the other stamp shows the American writer, William Sydney Porter, known by his pen-name O.Henry.

Well guys, I hope you enjoyed the posts today...will be back next time on the regular track (by this I mean posting cards that have nothing to do with my trips, so no endless rambling..)

Unfortunately I will have to end this update with the sad news that the great Robin Williams has died...not that he was my favourite actor or anything (though he was a great one), just that such news always make me realize how fragile and unexpected life is and that one should really take all the chances and opportunities it gives you, even when you think it may be a trivial thing.

Stay well!

St. Pancras International, England

one more card for today and it is another train-related one...and the view is just stunning! One of the most gorgeous train station cards I have ever seen or received!

I am so thankful to Mary for choosing to send me this one for the Choose a Country RR! It is just soo so gorgeous!
It shows the St. Pancras Station, which was originally built in Victorian times and opened in 1868. It escaped demolition in the 1960's and has been redeveloped into the Eurostar-London Terminals (Re-opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 6 November 2007)

a number of Queen stamps that I wont bother getting into, and a lovely one showing Tyne Bridge issued in 2012, as part of that stunning (and way too expensive) A-Z issue.

that would be all for today. Short but sweet (I hope :))

Stay well!

Bodie Island Lighthouse, USA

ok, one more card for today, and hopefully I'll manage to write this post as well, cos blogger has been playing some tricks on me all night long...grrrrrrrr!!!

Robin sent me this lovely lighthouse for the new edition of the Choose a Country RR. It shows the Bodie Island Lighthouse in North Carolina, and as the back of the card says: During the Civil War, in 1861, Confederate troops slipped into the Bodie Island Lighthouse and blew it up. Rebuilt by 1872, the existing Bodie Island Lighthouse is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The old keeper's house is open as a visitor's centre and museum.

So if you are nearby, go for a visit =)

well-known stamp :)

so that would be all for today...see you next time :)