to infinity and beyond

Opened on the eve of the Summer Games in 2004 for the Olympic Flame to cross 

joining Rio on the Peloponnese peninsula to Antirio on mainland Greece over the Gulf of Corinth

no longer in use, this bridge opened in 1929, two months before the Wall St crash

 postmarked 1954

 

a bridge that was started in 1954 and completed in 1957, the five mile long Mackinac connects the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan over the Straits of Mackinac that separates Lakes Huron and Michigan

There is a driver assistance program where, for a fee, you can have someone drive your vehicle for you if you are fearful. Around 1,000 people take advantage of this every year.

 

pei

The smallest province in Canada, PEI is known for its beaches, red soil, potatoes and seafood.  Sadly, Green Gables is not represented on this postcard

I have noticed that Marina posts maps on Monday and I thought I'd follow along.  No particular theme, just random maps pulled out from my collection.

coral cay

 

Green Island is 8 miles, or 13 kms, off the coast of Cairns and maybe has a population of 20? (according to 2021 census). It was formed about 6,000 years ago by waves depositing sand, coral and other debris onto its coral foundation.

This would be one place I'd like to see, but the world on stamps is huge and I, for one, am excited for next week to see what sites are on your wish list.

an aerial view for Sunday Stamps

napping

 I can sleep anywhere...

CATURDAY

arches

The Huron Street Bridge

One of the most photographed spots in Stratford, this bridge was built in 1885.  It was meant to be a triple arch, but the river (Avon) was too narrow, and now it is the only double arched aqueduct road bridge still in use for road traffic in North America.

Below is the Stone Arch Bridge, built 1847.  It has a 90 foot span and a 60 foot arch at its centre making it "the largest stone arch in New England".  It is now part of the Cheshire Rail Trail.

more houses of learning

two quite different styles of libraries from the early 1900s

house of learning

 it's back to school for many students

It is unusual to have a classroom with a bay window.  I once went to an open house of a school conversion to condos, and I am imagining that this building would lend itself to some lovely apartments

map

 a county battered

by Typhoon Shanshen

two meals

braised pork rice and a stir fry from Taiwan

theatre cats

 

CATURDAY

first impression

Built in 1912, now known as the William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library and has been renovated three times, most recently in 2009.  Presumably the name is generally shortened to something like the 'Thompson Library'?  Maybe Finnbadger knows this place?  In this view, it looks almost like a fortress.

blue and red

Peonies on a plate from Japan

 

Peonies, and Chrysanthemums, on a Chinese satin jacket (Qing Dynasty)

embroidery from Ukraine

folk dolls from Ukraine

some crafts and textiles for our lsdy art theme of Thursday Postcard Hunt

salut

back to France

for the Paralympics

and, just in time, I received the latest Marianne (2023) 

This is Marianne of the future designed by Olivier Balez and engraved by Pierre Bara

a large brood

 

following mama

albert hall

 

Opened 1871 and dedicated to Prince Albert, who by then had been dead for 10 years. It is a grade I listed building, which means it's a building of 'exceptional interest'. At one time it held up to 9,000 people but safety rules now limit it to around 5.400. Although I have never been, nor have I seen it on tv, I generally associate the Albert Hall with the Proms, an eight week daily festival of mostly classical music. Each night has a different theme.  Tonight's prom is Doctor Who Prom!

(if you're watching it, Joy, I want to know what you thought)

icon

I have many of these Machin stamps (this is but a tiny sampling). I love all the colours - it's like looking at paint swatches.

and, this, with the lovely cancellation and a more casual hat instead of a crown, but still with the necklace.

some colours for Sunday Stamps

green

 she is just casually observing you...

CATURDAY

a sleeping volcano

iconic

two views of Mt Hood

puppies and horses

'Puppy', a massive floral sculpture by artist Jeff Koons, stands in front of the Bilbao Guggenheim.  A West Highland terrier, he is 40' tall and gets a makeover twice a year with fresh flowers.

The Kelpies in Falkirk, Scotland. Kelpies are mythological beasts and these ones were created by Andy Scott in 2013. Their names are Duke and Baron.  They are 100' tall and, yes, you can go inside.

some sculptures for Thursday Postcard Hunt

magic by the lake

The Edgewater Beach Hotel, with a private beach, opened 1916, demolished 1971.  On the far right are the pink hued apartments (still standing) which complemented the yellow hued hotel.

temple of transportation

 

Chicago Union Station, located in the West Loop neighbourhood.  Built in 1925, it is the size of nearly 10 city blocks.

50 years

The Toronto Zoo is celebrating its 50th anniversary.  I have yet to visit.  Not sure why.  Just never got around to it, though I have thought about going several times.  Mostly, it is now the cost - $40 admission + $15 for parking. Plus the gas to get there.

I picked up these cards at a postcard show.  It hasn't been known as the 'Metro" zoo for 25 years.

numbers

 

Dahlias are one of the flowers that follow the fibonacci sequence*

as do the feathers on a peacock 

and let's not forget 

pineapples and pine cones

some patterns for Sunday Stamps

*fibonacci sequence - numbers starting with zero and one, is a steadily increasing series where each number is equal to the sum of the preceding two numbers

let's go to the ex

 

Opening today until Labour Day, September 2.  When it opened 145 years ago, admission was 25 cents (around $10 in today's money) now, admission is nearly $30 (adult)