Sorrento-Italy

 

Europe-Italy-Sorrento A beautiful town facing the Bay of Naples. Stayed on the lower part where the ferries come in. There is a nearby lift of a steep walk up to the main part of the hill top town where all the main attractions are. Enjoyed it all especially the walks around the town at night , bull of buzz. 

The Post office was closed when I was walked up that way. A large building. So put the card in the Post Box and that was that. No postmark. Have not figured out what is on the stamps. 

Pompeii - World Heritage Site

 Europe-Italy-Pompeii This is one of those World Heritage Sites, that so many have got to and now I am only getting there now. Though I nearly did not make it. Waiting on the bus from Amalfi bus station, the bus went and I did not see it. Why, I was sitting in the wrong location and the bus had no sign and it was very small , plain white bus. The next bus was 3 hours !! So since I was based in Amalfi I went around the town and got on the later bus. Got to Pompeii at about 4.45pm and you must enter by 5.30pm But had up to 7pm . So it worked out well with a lot less visitors. It was very impressive and bearing in mind I have been to lots of Roman sites. You could really get a feel for the layout of the streets and the look. 

The Post office was on the other side of this site and and near the normal entrance. There was no post box at the main entrance. So I posted this back in Amalfi in the Post box outside . 

Amalfi - Italy

 Europe-Italy-Amalfi This is the central attraction in Amalfi . The Arab-Norman Sant Andrea Cathedral. It is am impressive site both inside and out. It is right off the harbour when you get off the fast ferry. Loads os shops selling all things lemon. The hotel was at the top of the town and many many steps. Still it is Italy and worth every moment for memories alone. 

The `Post Office was easy to visit right on the harbour front. When I gave the card back I asked for it to be handstamped and the officer duly obliged. Always a bonus. I spelt Amalfi wrong on this card. I tend to mix letters about and sometimes numbers. I usually watch it but missed this one. Left it as a memory to me . LOL 

Positano hand painted Postcard

 Europe- Italy-Positano I loved this Postcard when i seen it . A mini painting . So I could not pass it by. By the way. Middle to late September is an ideal time to go weather wise. 

I was delighted to be offered this stamp at the post office. I am a bit of a film buff. Sergio Leone famous for the Westerns . Once upon a time in the West, Once upon a time in America, A fistful of Dollars to name but a a few. Both Once upon a time films are fantastic. 

Positano - Italy

 Europe-Italy-Positano This is a beautiful part of the Amalfi coast. Positano , lives up to its reputation . As a result the cost to stay here is sky high. So it was good for a day trip and to have lunch here. It is busy busy. 

It is not often that I put a postcard on here that is not postmarked. However with more and more counties not doing that it would mean that some of my travels would not be listed here. In the past as I strived to visit every country and territory if the postcard was not postmarked in the same destination I would not put it up here and not count it. But since I have at least one correctly franked , I am a bit more relaxed about it now. Italy and the UK for me has the highest level of not postmarking mail. So no surprise here. This card was dropped into a post box. 

Minori -Amalfi Coast

 Europe-Italy-Minori An ancient seaside resort on the Amalfi coast. This was my first stop on this trip to the famous Amalfi coast. This town was recommended as had excellent value with accommodation . Lovely start to the holiday and some nice restaurants to eat. This area is a World Heritage Site. 

Running around Post offices is never considered fun on my behalf. There is a process in buying stamps and they usually have no selection and most of the time the mail is not postmarked. So I had a good start with this small Post office in Minori. I got them to postmark the card while I was in the office. So success. 

Alderney - Channel Islands.

 Europe-Alderney-St.Anne  This is my second time here an the first time I stayed overnight on the Island. Very interesting with loads of history in relation to World War II when this island was a concentration camp as all the locals have left. A great island to visit. Alderney is the third largest Channel Island after Jersey and Guernsey. 

The only Post Office on the island is in the main town St.Anne. It is in fact within a supermarket. They had lots of stamps to choose from and a nice clean postmark. 

Giants Causeway- World Heritage Site

 Europe-United Kingdom-Northern Ireland This is a unusual view of the Giants Causeway on the Antrim coast. From the air. A nice warm day here packed with tourists. This is the only World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland.  

There is a postbox at the Giants Causeway. But did not drop it there due to the changes of not getting postmarked. So on the coast was in a beautiful village of Cushendun.  The girl in the Post office told me it was her first day and had no stamps ! I had already bought the stamps previously. My only request was the card to be postmarked at the post office  and go in the mail . This also has the machine cancel . 

This is taken on the Giants Causeway. A beautiful day 

Rathlin Island - Northern Ireland

 Europe-United Kingdom-Northern Ireland-Rathlin Island An Island I wanted to visit for some time . This is in the area of the North of Northern Ireland. Took a 30 minute ride on a boat . Stayed about 4 hours on the island and it was very interesting with a  small museum . The Puffins shown here are only there from April to July, so were gone when I arrived. Still a nice location to walk 

Nice to see a local postmark . A small post office on the island and some new stamps . 

Bushmills Distillery - Northern Ireland

 Europe-United Kingdom-Northern Ireland-Bushmills The is the oldest whiskey distillery in the World. Granted a license in 1608. A wonderful tour lasts about 90 mins and very interesting. Something to taste at the end of course.... 

Posted this at a magical Post Office in the village of Bushmills. Very helpful staff and some " Special " stamps as they call them in the UK for sale.

Northern Ireland - United Kingdom

 

Europe-Northern Ireland-United Kingdom I bought this card during my visit to Mount Stewart House and Gardens. . It has a number of heritage sites to visit . Many of these I am not familiar with so this card works well as a future tourist planner. 

I managed to get the postmaster to postmark my cards for this trip . I was tired of UK cards coming back with no postmarks. Featuring new wildlife stamps. 

Oqaatsut- Greenland

 Atlantic Ocean-Greenland-Oqaatsut. This is a very small village about 45 mins by boat from Ilulissat. Enjoyable walk and the sunshine was crystal clear. Had lunch with local fish delicacies . The area reminded me of East Greenland. 

The post office had a sign outside and was part of the one and only shop. It is. hard to see here but a local postmark was applied. 

Greenland - Ilulissat

 Atlantic Ocean-Greenland-Ilulissat Another view of some of the  amazing UNESCO World Heritage site at Ilulissat. It looks exactly like this on the ground . Took a boat tour around this area. 

The recent issue of Europa with the common design and and the other stamp is something to do with local tattoos . Got a good postmark . 

Ilulissat- World Heritage Site - Greenland

 Atlantic Ocean-Greenland- Ilulissat  I have to say this was my favourite part of Greenland . Great scenery , wonderful views and just one of those locations I will never forget. It is the only part of the world excluding Antarctica that you will see the number of Icebergs and flows. Also a World Heritage Site. 

The Post office in this town was a 15 min walk from the centre. But was updated and new with a full ranges of stamps. No postmark unfortunately on this card. 

Nuuk - Greenland

 Atlantic Ocean-Greenland-Nuuk  Certainly not one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. This is the modern part of the city with higher rise homes. I guess it is the "Grey" look that is uninspiring . But one has to be practical and I guess it would look a lot more photogenic when the area is covered in snow. 

The stamp shows a local fishing in a small kayak . I did in fact see a few of these out around the local seas but I suspect it was with tourists. 

Nuuk - Greenland

 Atlantic Ocean-Greenland-Nuuk I have been wanting to visit Nuuk the small capital of Greenland for some time. A flight to from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuak which can land the large Aibus A330neo and then a Dash 8 to Nuuk. This is the main harbour and as you can guess it is mostly fish that is being exported here. The weather was surprising warm . 

Arriving on National day , all government business was closed. However next day off to the Post office and it was all you could want in a Post Office. Modern building with a contemporary   lay out. Best was the real seal skin benches to sit on. A good selection of stamps and friendly staff. The stamp on the left centre shows the national dress, I seen on the National Day. 

Hammershus - Bornholm

 Europe-Denmark-Bornholm Hammershus is the main tourist attraction on the island of Bornholm. Took a local bus which takes about one hour from the main town, as it goes on a slight detour. But good to see some of the island . This medieval fortification is the largest in Northern Europe and dates from the 13th century. It is very interesting and is situated on the coast with a good view over the sea. Enjoyable day trip with a nice cafe and shop nearby . 

No postboxes in this area of the island. I mailed this in the main town later the same day . 

Bornholm - Denmark

 Europe-Denmark-Bornholm-Ronne This is the main town on the Danish island of Bornholm. It is situated in the Baltic sea and off the south coast of Sweden. Spend a day here and travelled by bus . 

Stamps in Denmark are expensive. The local supermarket sold post office supplies and stamps. You get what you are given. The postmark is from the central sorting office in Denmark . 

Copenhagen - Denmark

 

Europe-Denmark-Copenhagen It is quite some time since I have been back in the city of the Mermaid . I retraced some of my steps with stops in places and locations I had remembered . This area is known as Nyhavn and is very picturesque with colourful buildings. Most now bars and restaurants 

Denmark is one of those countries that have no Post offices any longer. I know that The Netherlands is the same. I did manage to visit the head office but they only take in pre paid parcels and dont sell stamps ! I was directed to a small untidy sweet shop that sold stamps . At least the stamps they sold me were quite nice showing cycle travel which is very popular in Denmark. I guess it helps that it is quite flat. 

East Grinstead - England

Europe-United Kingdom-England-East Grinstead. The High Street contains one of the longest continuous runs of 14th-century-timber-framed buildings in England. It was a joy to be here on the day the village turns out for the May fair. The village is beautiful and very east to walk around. Some of my family live nearby and even though I have travelled wide and far , the welcome here is just amazing. 

At least this card did get a postmark , however it hard to see. Posted in the local postbox . More flowers from the Kings first special issue.