Santa Cruz de la Palma

 Atlantic Ocean-Canary Islands-La Palma-Santa Cruz de la Palma . A bit of a long name, but the main town on the island of La Palma. I would have to say beautiful . Full of charm and well persevered. A very small town and easy to walk around. Loved it. 

The Post office was at the harbour. No selection of stamps. Had these from an earlier purchase. Loved the postmark showing a ship. 

La Palma Volcano

Atlantic Ocean-Canary Islands-La Palma This postcard showing a volcano , which is what La Palma is now famous for. It erupted in September 2021 and finished in December 2021. 

The main Post Office on La Palma is down by the Port. Hence the postmark which is showing a ferry. It was handstamped on the spot. The office itself had no standard stamps only stickers. I had purchased these stamps in advance from a Post office in Gran Canaria. 

Tejeda - Gran Canaria

 

Atlantic Ocean-Canary Islands-Gran Canaria-Tededa This is in the area of the middle of the island. Very green . The weather was like 4 seasons up here all in one day. A good day out. 

Got this stamps from the main Post office in Maspalmomas on the coast. Was not surprised to see it had not been cancelled. More often the case now. Showing the currency previous to the Euro , The Peseta. 

Map of Canary Islands

 Atlantic Ocean-Canary Islands- Gran Canaria This is a map showing the islands in the group. The postcard itself has volcanic sand as the basis for each island. Different. First time back in 3 years. A great time to get away to nice warm weather. 

Loved this stamp showing a high speed train. Though not a reality in Canary Islands. Posted this in a post box and as so often no postmark. This postmark is the one received in Dublin Ireland coming in. 

Munich- Germany

 Europe-Germany-Munich  This is my second visit and have to say love the vibe of this place. Lots to see and the train service is excellent. 

I posted this in a normal post box.  A clear postmark and also with a bar code. It is just so difficult to find special stamps . 

Bamberg - World Heritage Site

Europe-Germany-Bamberg Certainly one of the most beautiful cities in Germany I have every visited. In the old town around every corner it is a sure delight. The buildings are fantastic and so much heritage and feel of an ancient town. Spend one day here , but could have spend a weekend.

 

The previous day I had managed to find the Philatelic office which is not right in the centre of Munich. So at last a choice of stamps. Again a handstamp here . 

Regensburg - World Heritage Site

 Europe-Germany-Regensburg My first stop on a visit that was originally for work , but got changed so free time to explore Romantic Germany , Regensburg is a lovely old town and a World Heritage Site. 

No selection  of stamps. But found out I could get a handstamp cancellation. I think first stamp I have used with a bar code. 

Moorea - French Polynesia

 

Pacific Ocean-French Polynesia-Moorea This is my second visit to Moorea. This was a short visit with 2 days/1 night. Took the ferry over from Tahiti . Its a beautiful island with some great beaches and warm crystal blue waters to swim in. 

I was on the west coast of the island , not next to a Post Office. So there was a yellow Post Box in use where the restaurants and shops were. Used a stamp from a miniature sheet. 

Rairua, Austral Islands

 Pacific Ocean-Austral Islands-Raivavae-Rairua This is a local purchased Postcard . The Post office itself had not cards. This was from one of the few shops on the islands. I always notice how close the clouds are nearer to you when you are in the tropics . 

This postmark has a clear mark showing the village of Rairua where the only Post office is on the island of Raivavae. 

Tubuai - Austral Islands

Pacific Ocean-Austral Islands-Tubuai-Mataura  This is the main island in the group for administration. Unlike Raivavae there is a couple of restaurants here. Again some lovely scenery and is very quite tourist wise. 

The Post office here was much busier then the other island. I had very little time to spend in the Post office as my flight time changed to an earlier time and I only had about 10 minutes time. 

Raivavae - Austal Islands

 

Pacific Ocean -Austral Islands -Raivavae At long last . I had this trip booked in March 2020 , but with covid it got cancelled at the last minute. These islands are sub tropical as they are on the Tropic of Capricon. Raivavae was my first stop en route from Paris , French Polynesia Tahiti and then a few hours flight down here. Not many visitors as only local accommodation . Was here for 3 days and enjoyed it very much. PS unfortunately this postcard is not showing the island of Raivavae 

Always love the clear postmarks of the French Territories. A small but very nice Post office awaited me. A good selection of stamps. No postcards for sale. 

Paris France

 Europe-France-Paris What is not to like about Paris. It is special in so many ways. Delighted to be back and spending a couple of days prior to my departure to French Polynesia 

The Post office near the Bourse is excellent. It is not big, but has a philatelic display and easy to select what stamps you want. Loved this miniature sheet featuring windows of Notre Dame. 

Ios - Greece

 Europe-Greece-Ios This is the beach I spend the afternoon on. It was very nice , but the water was a little too cold for me. 

Posted at the local Post office. 

Chora - Ios Greece

 Europe-Greece-Ios-Chora This is the main town on the island of Ios. It was a 45 mins ferry ride from Santorini . It feels like a completely different world there. Simple and rustic like. 

Found the Post Office in the centre of town. 

Santorini- Oia

 Europe-Greece-Santorini-Oia I have to say this is the most beautiful town on Santorini. It has pure amazing sights and the colours against the sun are spectacular. Did not stay here , but visited twice. Loved it. 

Loved the message on these stamps showing diversity and the way they are drawn. Unfortunately these did not get postmarked. I put these in a post box instead of at the post office. 

Fira Santorini

 Europe-Greece-Santorini-Fira My first holiday outside Ireland in nearly 2 years. It was great to get away. Since there was now direct flights from Dublin, took the opportunity to visit Santorini. A destination with a lot to live up to. I have to say for certain it exceeded my expectation. This area Fira is where I stayed. Loads of nice places to eat and great views day or night. 

This card was posted in the main post office in Fira. They were very helpful and had a good selection of stamps including new issues. Very clear postmark. 

Adare .Co Limerick .

 Europe-Ireland-Limerick-Adare  Passing through here on the way back from Kerry. It is a beautiful heritage town. I stayed here many many years ago and hopefully will do again . A very nice  afternoon was spent here. 

I am never fond of stamps with just text on them . A message on this from the head of the Irish Government to the Prime Minister of Great Britain and Ireland.

Kerry and Westmeath - Ireland

 Europe-Ireland-Kerry-Dingle It is not often that reality and a picture postcard is the same. But in July the weather was fantastic and spend a few hours here on this golden beach. Could not stay any longer would have got sunburnt  ! This beach is in the Dingle peninsula in County Kerry. 

The Irish Post office has been very active in promoting Pride . For the last number of years post boxes in the Dublin  city centre have been painted in the rainbow colours. Some of the delivery vans the same. 

Europe-Ireland-Westmeath-Athlone  Considered to be the centre of Ireland Athlone's main attraction is the River Shannon. 

A climate change stamp is postmarked here from the Athlone mails centre which handles most of the mail in Ireland . 

Kerry and Cork - Ireland

 Europe-Ireland-Kerry-Killarney . With Covid restrictions in place at this time it was holiday time at home and this time off to the beautiful county of Kerry. Spend a few days in Killarney and enjoyed every minute of it. The weather was glorious and being able to eat in restaurants was great , after such a long lockdown. Here is a photo of part of the Ring of Kerry . 

The stamp features Lady Jane Wilde who was the mother of the famous Oscar. Most Post offices are part of shops now . The was the case for the one I visited in Killarney. 

Europe-Ireland-Cork-Glengarriff. During the hols in Killarney made a visit  here. The surrounding area in West Cork and the village of Glengarriff was fantastic . Loved it all. Will have to go back. Went on the short boat ride to Garnish Island. Italian gardens and visited the house there. A very interesting and historic island . 

I am not particularly fond of stamps with just inscriptions on them. But this has an important date on it that most people now dont know. 11 July 1921. The day that there was a truce with the Government forces ( British) and the Republicans. This led to the signing of a treaty in December 1922 and the British Forces leaving the then Free State , later to become Republic of Ireland 

Newcastle Co.Down , Northern Ireland

 Europe-Northern Ireland-Newcastle-Co.Down  I had not spend much time in this part of Northern Ireland before . It is on the East side just after the border. A seaside area with beautiful surrounding countryside. 

As I have said before finding regional stamps in Northern Ireland is not easy. I was lucky to find this stamp in a remote Post Office. This stamp was only issued in later 2020 . 

Europe-United Kingdom-Northern Ireland-Co.Down . This is the hotel I stayed in . It is very famous and was opened in 1898  when Newcastle was a railway stop on the Dublin-Belfast line. No longer there. But the Slieve Donard Hotel certainly is. Nearby attractions include the scenic Donard Park, beach and promenade. 

Featuring stamps with Paul McCarthy of the Beatles and Wings fame. I think I had the Ram album on the right when we all had LPs and record players. 

Mountains of Mourne - Northern Ireland

Europe-United Kingdom-Northern Ireland-Co. Down  This is the beautiful Mountains of Mourne. I had never been before despite that I am only living less then 2 hours away. Spend a few days here as part of the holidays in June 2021 . Lovely to get away . 
 

The Philatelic section in Belfast has a very poor selection of stamps. Managed to get these Paul McCarthy stamps. I think I had bought that LP when it came out. Hard to see the postmark with the dark stamp. 

Belfast - Northern Ireland

Europe-Norther n Ireland-Belfast Here we have Belfast City Hall. Built in 1906. It is a beautiful building and it stands right in the centre of Belfast. I have been lucky to been there at a reception meal event for a dinner when I was a Badminton Umpire  many years ago. 

It is challenging to find Northern Ireland stamps in Northern Ireland . The stamp on the left is the only one I could find . The rest are UK definitive stamps