soccer

 

CATURDAY

Now that the World Cup is in my own back yard, I am, oddly, less interested.  The shine has worn off.  Doesn't mean I won't get caught up in the matches at some point...

snow

I was going to use this for 'sunshine', but the snowy scene was too perfect

he is cutting a good figure in the snow

sunshine

a new year is dawning 

time to get up and start fresh for 2026

we have a bright sunny day

winter needs the sun to shine (and the snow to be fresh and white) to make it less depressing

rays of sunllight adding to the view

these travellers have the setting sun at their back

 

cricket

The young boy who sent this card on Postcrossing was an avid cricket fan. Admittedly, it is not a sport I follow or know much about, so I tried some research...  still don't quite get all the rules and terms.

The 'DREAM11' is actually a fantasy sports platform that has now lost the sponsorship after the Indian government recently banned real-money online gaming. 

day 12 of NaBloPoMo

summer fun

 I am more of  a hibernator in summer than winter.  heat (and humidity) and I are not best buds.

Maybe a road trip would be in order (is that van air conditioned?) 

This series is from prolific illustrator and designer Gavin Ryan.

I'm not sure this poor soul in Blackpool is having fun at the seaside.  I did not find these saucy postcards funny when I first came across them.  Apparently they were created as a reaction to prudish Victorians (I may have have been a prude.  Or just 14). They seem even more inappropriate now. The people were always fat.  I'm not sure why I even have this one - it may have been part of a 'lot'.  

One thing that will get me moving in summer is checking out flowers.  This is the Victorian era Halifax Public Gardens,  located at the appropriately named Spring Garden Road and Summer Street.  There are free historical tours several times a day throughout summer.

How about a bit of canoeing and fishing.  Although you can fish all year round, I always think of it as a summer thing (I don't fish, except when I was younger and at a cottage, or camping) Maybe these guys are looking for bass, pike, musky or carp.

Or a round or two of golf. This is Royal Troon Scotland which last held The Open in 2016.  This year, it will be at Portrush in Northern Ireland (July 13 - 20)

Or, a spot of tennis. Though this is hardly a casual match.  This year being held from June 30 to July 13, (ending just in time for golf)

activities

There are plenty of stamps featuring men but I wanted to find some who were doing things, rather than sitting in a portrait, or posing.  In this case, we have some anonymous men racing, plowing, and planting.

youth

 Oh, to be young and fearless...

I have been enjoying watching the skate boarders, especially those oh-so-young 'uns!   and the mountain biking with those views! (that the cyclists certainly did not have time to take in)

youth games

 

the shadows accentuate the sense of movement in these youth athletes

some illustrations for Sunday Stamps

silver fern

The All Blacks are New Zealand's national rugby team. They are often regarded as the most successful team in history. 2010, when this stamp was issued, was seen as the team's best ever. They would go on to win the Rugby World Cup in 2011. (they also won in 1987 and 2015).  On Saturday, they played the Springboks of South Africa in the men's final. It was the Springboks, not the All Blacks, who won an historic fourth World Cup after a hard fought game. (NZ11-12SA). Commiserations to NZ.

full disclosure: when I chose this theme and this stamp, it was weeks before I knew the final would be this weekend, and obviously before I knew who would be playing. Serendipity at its finest.

golf

 this is neither the Solheim, nor the Ryder Cup

which is in my tv viewing line up, but was issued in 2004 for the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Open. The stamps are the actual size of a golf ball and even has dimpled edges.

cycling

 

East Germany, the 30th International Peace Race

and the Olympics

some sporting activity for Sunday Stamps

wheels

I have vague memories of riding a scooter when I was young,  it was probably similar in style to this Greek one.

I know I've never been on a skateboard. But, I find I'm enjoying watching it as an Olympic sport and almost wishing I were 12 years old again...

 

some big toys to entertain youth for Sunday Stamps

red

 

an infantry man resplendent in the kilt

a grenadier ready for action

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montreal Canadiens hockey player, Guy Lafleur who recently passed away

some uniforms for Sunday Stamps

snow and ice

From speed skating (dominated in 1964 by Russia and Norway) to slalom skiing (dominated by France and Austria)

 

to curling (dominated in 2014 by Canada, Great Britain, and Sweden)

It was challenging to find anything not related to the Olympics, but then I remembered the World's, which is dominated by Sweden, Canada, and Finland (though it was won by Russia that year)

I can safely say that I have never participated in any of these sports.

For Sunday Stamps - winter sports

recreation

In 1957 this set of hunting, fishing, skiing and swimming stamps were issued for the four seasons of recreational sports.  I like the swimmer the best - for her smile as much as the waves. the series was called Canada - all seasons playground and designed by Laurence Hyde. It is interesting that the CANADA is in a different (though similar) typeface for each stamp.

for Sunday Stamps - sports

 

sticks and flags

in 2015, the Czech Republic hosted the World Hockey Championship.
So, who can name all 16 participating countries from these flags -  without googling?
I will admit that I missed a few...

for Sunday Stamps - flags

camp nou

after 3 months of no play, soccer returned to an empty stadium

six feet apart

Ojai Valley Inn, where patrons can play golf in the backyard course. And these golfers are at least social distancing, even from the golf bag!

hockey forever

Today is Boxing Day ... and also the start of the World Juniors Hockey.

Canada won 6-4 over the USA

These 2017 stamps were issued as part of the History of Hockey series.
"These stamps celebrate the shared love of hockey, a game now rooted in the lore of both nations"

Sunday Stamps - K

1979, Canada
designer: Jon Eby

In 1979, the Canoe-Kayak World Championships were held in Jonquiere Quebec. I have only ever gone kayaking, or canoeing, on a calm lake. This, however, is a not sport for the faint of heart - it involves a course full of rocks, eddies, rapids, fast currents, and high waves. In a kayak the paddler sits with legs in front, facing forward in a closed deck using a double bladed paddle.

A posterized version of a photograph was chosen by designer Jon Eby.

for the letter K - kayak