The Charles Bridge - Prague

 Europe-Czechia-Prague The famous Charles Bridge in Prague crossing the Vltava river . I had been here before but had very little memory as I had limited time. Lovely view on both sides. 

This is one of the most beautiful  sets of stamps I have ever purchased. So well designed . Part of  a bigger miniature sheet. I must mention the Main Post Office in Prague. I had not been before and I had no idea  it would be so nice inside. Also the Philatelic department was as perfect as one could get.  A person who knew exactly all the details of the large volume of stamps on sale. Some photos  follow. 

Prague - Czechia

 Europe-Czechia-Prague It is such a long time since I was here. So great to spend a long weekend. It was fabulous . So  much to see a great buzz and all  in all one of the best cities in Europe to visit . Cant believe I waited so long to really discover this city. 

At the Main Post Office which is amazing , ( more  on that later) , I did find a stamp with Czechia on it. I have now started using the new name instead of Czech Republic . It is shorter . This stamp was issued for a stamp exhibition in Japan and they used this name as is known in that country. 

Knysna - South Africa

 Africa-South Africa-Knysna  This   was my main stop on the Garden route . A very nice area to stay . 

These are new  issue stamps. South Africa  had not issued new stamps in a few years, so just by chance these were just issued in the month I was here. 

Post Office Tree - Mosel Bay South Africa

 Africa-South Africa-Mossel Bay This is near Mossel Bay. Was coming back from the trip on the Garden route.  Not as spectacular as I had hoped. 

There is a tree called the Post Office tree in Mossel Bay. I had just heard of it before I got here. So there is a opening in the side of the tree with a post box. So mailed it here and it got a special cachet . 

The Post box in the tree , You can see the slot. 

In a nearby cafe , there was a Post office fun box in the garden. It used to be used for mail prior to covid. 

Manzini - Eswatini

 Africa-Eswatini-Manzini Formally Swaziland, the new name of Eswatini was introduced  on 19  April  2018 on the 50th Anniversary of Independence from the UK. So back for my second visit and first under the new name. 

I had learnt in advance of my visit that most Post offices were still using Swaziland stamps. So I purchased these stamps in advance . Indeed at the Post office in Manzini only Swaziland stamps available so glad I got these. Eswatini has issued very few new stamps since the name change. 

Maputo - Mozambique

 Africa-Mozambique-Maputo I have always wanted to visit this city . Was interested in the colonial Portuguese history and look of the city. Unfortunately  it was a bit of a let down , but understandable in that there was a civil war 1977-92. So a lot was destroyed. Still enough the city was safe and I enjoyed a walking city tour. A lot more expensive then I had expected. 

The stamp on the postcard is the most recent issue. In fact the Main Post Office did not have this stamp. I had to get one of the  postal workers to get  one from  me. I had to give him extra for this stamp. The Post office was typical African not in good shape. 

Northern Lights - Tromso

 Europe-Norway-Tromso  The main reason for visiting over later December was to  hopfully see the Northern  Lights. We booked the  Northern Lights  tour twice to maximise  our chance of seeing  them. Luckily I did see them first go. 

Posted at the Post Office in Tromso without a postmark. 

Tromso -Norway

 Europe-Norway-Tromso Delighted to get here in December. Oh my it sure did live up to expectations. Snow and a wonderful atmosphere . Certainly a perfect winter short break .  

This card has two definitives from Norway. One of the oldest sets in the world. However as much as I asked the postoffice to  postmark the postcard they said just put it in the box and it will be done. But no postmark !  I should  have insisted as I usually do. 

Eiffel Tower - Paris

 Europe-France-Paris Love this stylist postcard of Paris. During this visit I went  up to the middle part of the Eiffel  Tower. Last  time I did that was 1976, 

This card was posted in the special mail box up midway on the Eiffel Tower. So a special red postmark to reflect this. 

Denmark - Last Post !

 Europe-Denmark This is a little unusual. The envelope marks the very last date of post from the National Post Service, known as PostNord . This is for standard letters. They will still deliver parcels. But that means no more issues of  postage stamps.  So a special postmark for the last day of use 31-12-2025. From now on you can just use courier companies. 

Letzbuerg - Luxembourg

 Europe-Luxembourg-Luxembourg City . 12 years  since  my last visit . It was December  this time  so a bit colder . But did  have the Christmas markets.  

I had found out that a few years ago  Luxembourg changed the name on its stamps to Letzbuerg .  This is the name in the local language . The Philatelic shop had a full selection of stamps and very helpful  staff. 

Belfast - Northern Ireland

 Europe-Northern Ireland - Belfast Spend a few days in Belfast and surrounding areas . Visited Stormont  the parliament of Northern Ireland . 

These are the latest Northern Ireland "Country Stamps" . Still had QEII head as they were in stock. Usually the Post offices in Northern Ireland dont have these , so have to be ordered in advance .  

Images of Sark - Channel Islands

 Europe-Sark . Here is a card showing more pics of parts of the small island. It was a sure joy to just walk with little noise of transport . Certainly different 

I had not intended to  use  the samp stamps on two cards. But this card was a fellow blogger in Canada and at the time there was a  postal strike in  Canada  . So the post office would not take any mail to that destination at that time. 

Sark - Channel Islands

 Europe-Sark It is  not often that I have a "New Country" to introduce here. But Sark which is part of Guernsey in the Channel Islands have just introduced their own stamps for the first time. So I was excited to visit there in October and really enjoyed my overnight stay. So two full days to enjoy the island. By boat from Guernsey . The key thing is that there are no cars , just tractors or pedal power. So a quite place and quite unique . Loved it. This card shows the harbour and the island from the east. 

Beautiful stamps featuring flowers and plants on the islands. They were very helpful in the Post Office and happy to take photos. 

Turkiye - Asia

 Asia-Turkiye-Istanbul . I mailed this card from the Istanbul airport on the Asia side . Its code is SAW, Took about one hour from downtown Istanbul on the  European side by underground.

This was postmarked at the airport SAW.