emigrate

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With love from Spain (c1974)

with love from Spain

22nd Nov Dear Hilary, I’m having a lovely time the weather is good except for the first few days when we were seasick. Today we are going on a tour around an Island called Las Palmas. I hope you are feeling well Love Helen

The SS Australis, pictured on the front, travelled between Britain and Australia & New Zealand, calling at various ports along the way – Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) obviously being one of them.

The postmark date is not clear, but I believe that this must have been sent in 1974, as General Franco (featured on the stamp) died in November 1975

Helen and her family emigrated to New Zealand and this card seems to be from the voyage to their new life on the other side of the world. However, a few years later they returned to the UK. Despite several internet searches, I have not been able to reconnect with Helen.

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with love from Townsville, Northern Queensland (1988)

townsville

Dear Hilary & Simon, G’day mates! Excellent choice of elective made here I feel. Baking weather mostly, seaview from my bedroom window. Beach 3 mins away – palm trees everywhere and masses to do Aussies have a great attitude – fun first – work much later. Very infectious! We’re planning bush weekend this week. Dying of relaxation. Love Marion xxx Letter soon coming.

Postmarked ‘TOWNSVILLE MAIL CENTRE 4-PM 25 AUG 1988’ this card features ‘a fine example of early North Queensland Architecture’.

Despite it being winter time in Australia, the weather is obviously good and Marion is enjoying full immersion in the Australian way of life.

The 63c stamp is from the Living Together definitive series issued in 1988

Marion was my brother’s girlfriend; she took this extended working trip to Australia as part of her medical degree. They planned to get married, but Marion changed her mind; inevitably we all lost touch. A quick Google search suggests that Marion subsequently emigrated to the Australia that she was so taken with.