Lefkosa - Cyprus Turkish Republic

 Europe-Cyprus Turkish Republic-Lefkosa Photo shows border at the Geen line . Crossed near here from Republic Cyprus. I had previous been on a day trip to this part of Cyprus so pleased to spend more time and discover more. 

Got these stamps at the Philatelic centre next door to the main Post Office . They were very helpful 

Ayios Nikolaos - British Sovereign Base Area of Cyprus

Europe-Cyprus British Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia . I have been wanted to visit again after my last visit. The fact that my previous card was only posted in Akrotiri but in a Cyprus Republic post box was not up to scratch as I also wanted one in the British area. So in fact travelled to all the Base areas Western and Eastern . Akrotiri all the areas as part of the base is out of bounds to tourists. In Dhekelia there is an area beside a beach which includes a restaurant you can order . Further to the east is Ayios Nikolaos which is one of the access roads to the border with Northern Cyprus. So that means in effect the base area is partly open with access to a supermarket , bar and the British Forces Post Office. 

To say I was excited to visit this office would be a under statement . After failing to get postcards sent from the other bases this was great as you could actually visit the BFPO itself. So now at least a postcard from the British Territory itself. The officer at the Post office was very helpful and once checked I had used British stamps all good to go . 

Nicosia - Cyprus

 Europe-Cyprus-Nicosia Back in Cyprus again always feel the mix of cultures. Started in Paphos and then by car to Nicosia. 

Visited the old Post office in Nicosia. It is no longer the main post office . Still an old important building . 

London - England

Europe-England-London I guess this shows was England is  famous for. Red telephone boxes and buses. Though you dont see many phone phones in use any more. London one of those great cities always so much to see and enjoy. 

These are the latest English "Country " stamps. These have not yet been reprinted with the kings head . But first time for me to use them with barcodes. I did ask for a nice clean crisp postmark and the Post offfice and got one. 

 

National Gallery - London

 Europe-United Kingdom-London I visited the National Gallery in London . One of my selection of favourite paintings . This is My Caneletto " The Bain of San Marco on Ascension Day about 1740 

Beautiful stamps showing the Royal Observatory in Greenwich . 

At the National Gallery - Canaletto 1697-1768, Venice "The upper Reaches of the Grand Canal with S.Simeone Picollo about 1740. 

More stamps featuring the Royal Observatory at Greenwich. 

Ohrid - Macedonia , World Heritage Site.

 Europe-North Macedonia-Ohrid My second time back and my favourite part of this Country . This time took a tour on the lake and really enjoyed it. Old school holiday sort of place. Though one observation is that even though the country has a new name everyone here calls it Macedonia and you wont see a Tshirt or tourist item with the new name on it anywhere. 

Sorry had to use the same samps again as was lucky to find any . I am not a lover of those new machine stickers and to make it worse the ones here were all just blank. !

Linderfhof Palace - Bavaria

 Europe-Germany-Linderhof This is the smallest of the three palaces built by King Ludwig II and the only one fully completed in his time . He lived  here from 1876 onward. Very beautiful inside . 

Standard definitive stamps . 

First card from North Macedonia

 Europe-North Macedonia-Ohrid My second visit to this delightful town by the lake . Last time I was driving around this area. This time had a few days to take it in walking . Very nice and sort of old fashioned in a way. A World Heritage Site 

The main reason for coming back here is because of the change of name from FYR of Macedonia to North Macedonia . So new name on the stamps. In fact I nearly had an issue with the stamps. On the main post offices they only had blank sticky labels which I dont use on my postcards unless no option options. They told me they had no stamps and the same for other post offices. But I walked to another Post office 20 minutes away and hey presto there happened to be a few stamps left. So happy faces. 

Neuschwanstein World Heritage Site

 

Europe-Germany-Hohenschwangau This is the area of the famous 19th Century historical palace Neuschwanstein and the vision of King Ludwig 11. I had wanted to visit for some time. The outside is impressive from a distance . A very busy tourist site with crowds and tickets bucked in advance. Also a World Heritage Site. 

I could not find any post offices in this small town. So posted in a local Post box. 

Bavaria - Munich

 Europe-Germany-Munich I liked this card and style . I enjoys Munich , it is a vibrant city with lots of sights to see.

A Definitive stamp in use the wth now standard bar code . UK also does this with all of its Definitive stamps too. 

Kylemore Abbey - Ireland

 Europe-Ireland-Kylemore Abbey . This is a wonderful place to visit. It is on many tourist trails in the west of Ireland is doing a tour around Galway. I had visited many years ago when it was in use as a school. Now it is a full grown tourist site with beautiful gardens , restaurants, cafes and a very well organised tour. So highly recommended .

The stamp is a recent issue showing Daniel O Donnel a very famous Irishman pre independence . 

Khankendi - Karabakh Azerbaijan

 Asia-Azerbaijan-Khankendi This was the main city  in Karabakh when under Armenia control. It was known as Stepanakert. On my recent trip it was being resettled. 

Interesting that these stamps were also cancelled by a pen at some stage. Would suggest that the person who did this was not in agreement with the message on the stamps. One is showing a flag saying Karabakh is Azerbaijan and the othe two stamps shows Mosques  being  rebuilt. Below is the main Post office in Khankendi . 

Susa - Azerbaijan

 Asia-Azerbaijan-Susa Another postcard from the same trip . 

I sent a few postcards  to make sure they came back in the post. All good. 

Susa - Azerbaijan

 Asia-Azerbaijan-Susa . Susa is am important town in terms of culture. Considered to be the cultural capital for poetry and music. This Susa fortress is featured on the card . Interesting to walk around as the surround area is at a  height over looking Khankendi . 

These stamps were specially selected at the philatelic office in Baku, You will note they all say " Susa" on them. In fact this card is very special as the first time that international postal operations took place and sent from this office since it is part of Azerbaijan. So very pleased to get here. 

The second and third photo is the outside of the new Post office in Susa. The last two photos is of myself being interviewed on Azerbaijan Television. 

Baku - Modern city of Azerbaijan

 Asia-Azerbaijan-Baku Postcard showing the now modern city of Baku. Some very interesting buildings have gone up , many well designed. 

The stamp is showing some rare rock carvings. 

Baku - World Heritage Site

 Asia-Azerbaijan-Baku This card is showing the Shirvanshah Palace in Baku. A World Heritage Site. Baku has vastly changed since my last visit in a very positive way. Loved walking around and  chatting with the locals. 

This stamp shows rock carvings in Azerbaijan. After a bit of trouble found the Philatelic shop in Baku. It was in a book shop ! . Thats a first time. But the staff could not have  been more helpful and very knowledgeable in what I was looking for stamp wise.  A full selection which is rare to find these days.