Bergen - Norway

 Europe-Norway-Bergen Wanted to visit here for a long time. This is the oldest part of Bergen right beside the fishing harbour and known as Bryggen . Arrived here by boat and was great coming into the harbour. The main area is quite small and very easy to walk around. This area is a World Heritage Site. 

The stamp is showing a badger. Posted in Bergen at a postbox . No postmark. 

Balestrand-Norway

 

Europe-Norway-Balestrand Arrive here by boat from Flam . This Stunning village on the Fjord was very impressive. Stayed overnight at the 18th Century Kvines hotel on the waterfront .. The weather was great and felt just like I wanted a traditional village to look like. 

Ronald Amundsen is again on this stamp. The Post office was part of the main supermarket in the village. Posted this in the post box outside . No cancellation !!. 

Flam - Norway

 Europe-Norway-Flam  This was the special train I took from Myrdal to Flam . Had started off in Oslo on the regular train that continues on to Bergen . The key reason for taking this train is the scenery. It was amazing and started at the Myrdal station which is in the mountains to Flam which is a sea level. One of the great train journeys of the world. 

This card was posted in the postbox at Myrdal train station. The stamps were purchased at the philatelic bureau in Oslo. 

The Fram Museum-Oslo

 Europe-Norway-Oslo I got this card in the Fram museum in Oslo. It is certainly for me one of the best museums I have ever visited. It is packed with information on exploration to both poles North and South. I have never visited the North or South Pole but I have been to the Antarctic many times including the areas that the early explorers set up and the early buildings are still there. The Artic area I have visited   is Svalbard  including Jan Mayen and Bear Island. This museum tells and shows the stories of early exploration very well. . The ship The Fram is here and was used on many trips most famously the one to the South Pole in 1914.

Loved this connection with the stamp and the card. The recently issued stamp shows and expedition to Antarctica and matches the card. 

The Scream - Oslo

 Europe-Norway-Oslo This is the very famous painting by Edvard Munch "The Scream". I was delighted to visit the newly opened National Museum and Gallery in Oslo. A fantastic building and so much to see. One of the highlights is to see this painting which is famous the world over. I discovered there are 4 versions of this . This is the one I seen and the most famous one 

Kiing Haakon VII is regarded by many as one of the greatest Norwegian leaders of the pre-war period, managing to hold his young and fragile country together in unstable political conditions. This is the stamp shown here. 

Vigeland Sculpture Park - Oslo

 Europe-Norway-Oslo This is the Vigeland Sculpture Park . A must see in Oslo. Had been on my first trip and never forgot it. All about the circle of Life. Amazing. 

I love these two stamps. The far right is Jan Mayen Island. I was lucky to visit many years ago and even posted a card from the Post office there. The stamp on the left is one of the oldest set of Definitive stamps in existence.  . 

Oslo Norway

 Europe-Norway-Oslo My second visit here and I have to say this city is very impressive. Lots to see including the new National Museum . Got a Oslo pass card a great value way for transport and visitor sites. 

Went to the Philatelic Office which is not quite downtown Oslo. They keep 2 years supplies of stamps. This stamp showing Roald Amundsen the most famous Norwegian explorer of the Polar Regions.

Faroe Islands and Jan Mayen

Atlantic Ocean-Faroe Islands-Thorshavn   I had been trying to get to the Faroe Islands for some time . On my previous time the flight could not land due to fog. So this time went by sea. At least this way you come right into the capitol Torshavn. Really enjoyed my visit here. Could spend more time here. Liked the green grass that was growing on some of the old houses on the roofs. 

The Main post office has a philatelic section. Lots of stamps to choose from. 

Europe-Norway-Jan Mayen   A remote island up the very north of Norway. Making my way up to the Arctic. On Jan Mayen had to watchful  just in case there was any Polar bears. Also visited Bear Island after this , but no postcard for there. This Island is a Nature reserve. 

Visited the Scientific base here which includes a full Post office. I had a photo taken wearing the Postman's hat. A very nice postmark. 

Europe

Europe-United Kingdom-Stansted  Was staying over night at the Radisson  hotel  at Stansted Airport.  If you look closer you will see a very tall wine Rack.  So if you order a bottle of wine the circus artist goes up and fetches it.  Quite a act. I wonder who came up with that idea? 

A worldwide UK postcard stamp. Not very exciting. 

Europe-Ukraine-Kiev  Spend a very enjoyable 3 days here. Lots of interesting buildings . 

Was here during the Eurovision Song contest and was at the finals . It was a great event. Ukraine issued special stamps and here is one on the postcard to celebrate the occasion.

Europe-Norway-Stavanger  I was due to fly from Dublin to the Faroe Islands. The plane did get as far as the Faroe Islands but there was fog over the airport. So could not land. After one hour the plane went and landed in Stavanger to wait and refuel and see if the weather would improve. Never did get to the Faroe Islands on this trip. So all I saw was Stavanger airport. 

As I was due to go to a football match in the Faroe Islands, I think it is only appropriate  that the stamp here shows at least a football.  Sold at the Airport desk. 

Europe-United Kingdom-Leeds  I was here for work so did not get to see all the beautiful images on this card!

The stamp shows an illustration from "Jane Eyre "

Europe-Netherlands-Eindhoven  I am not sure this is quite Eindhoven but  I could not find a card  from there. 

Posted at the Airport in Eindhoven. A very nice little airport.

Europe-Belgium-Essen  Showing an important building in Essen. Looks like the Town Hall. 

The stamp shows Albert II, King of Belgium .

Europe-Jersey-St.Helier  Showing many images of Jersey. A very easy Island to get around and you can see it all. I heard how famous the Jersey cows were. So keen to sample the diary products. The Ice cream was especially good. 

The Stamp shows the main Castle in St.Helier and of course The Queen. Very faint postmark.