friendship

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with love from Chamonix, France (2010)

with-love-from-chamonix

Great snow; off piste most of the time but not much sunshine; good hotel on the main street of Chamonix. Jim came for three nights – he’s going to start his kids (3) off next year.  Give Kev my best wishes! I’m not surprised that your dog won’t run – it’s too fat! Love to you all Jon xxx

The French like photographing their ski resorts at night, don’t they?  This time it’s Chamonix, which also featured a few weeks ago here.

Despite obviously being written in France, the card was posted in the UK as it is postmarked ‘DORSET & W HANTS 8.30pm 23 FEB 2000’ and carries a 26p first class stamp.

In 1992 we went skiing with Andy and Kev; Jon was staying in the same chalet; we all skied together, exchanged addresses and have been skiing together most years since then. We don’t see much of each other between ski trips, although on this occasion Jon must have recently visited us in order to note our slightly overweight dog!

 

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with love from Kvaenangsfjell, Norway (1988)

norway

8.7.88 Hey Hilary, Greetings from the Nordkapp in Norway. It’s very beautifull to see the sun at midnight. I am in Norway for 3 weeks and it’s nice to see this country again. I hope you’re well. Take care so long Salutations Christine

The beautiful image on the front of the card is possibly the midnight sun mentioned in the text.

Christine has dated the card, which is helpful as the postmark does not give any indication of date.

The stamp is 3.80 kroner and is one of the definitive set issued in 1988

I met Christine in Norway in 1981; unlike me she has returned on at least one occasion! We continue to exchange news and postcards.

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with love from Costa del Sol, Spain (1983)

Costa del Sol Spain 1983

14.10.83 Dear Hilary, Having a super time here in Spain. Weather has been great since we arrived – over 85° every day. Enjoying the cheap food & drink. We met up with another couple but they went back today. We’ve got another week, before it’s back to the grind. Best wishes Janet xx

Algarrobo features on the front of the card – the town is possibly more picturesque than the photo suggests!  There is no postmark, but Janet has helpfully included the date, October 1983

As ever when Brits travel to sunnier climes, the fascination with the temperature prevails and value for money when eating and drinking is an added bonus!

The two 13 peseta stamps feature King Juan Carlos I and are from the 1976-84 definitive series.

Another, earlier one from Janet who I have known for around 45 years!

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with love from Lanzarote (c1999)

With love from Lanzarote

Dear Hilary, Simon + family, Just thought I’d drop you all a line to say ¡Hola! from Lanzarote. Our stay here is nearly over in fact, but it’s been truely lovely. Plenty of sun, sea + sand + vino. We’ve explored much of the island by car, been on a camel ride, down caves, up volcanoes – all the usual sights. Some excellent meals out, lots of fish, mainly lunches easier with the chilblains. We’ve self-catered a lot too. Our appartment is right by the sea with views across the bay + pools downstairs (overleaf pic). Not too crowded anywhere and a nice size island to get about on. Oh well, back to the reality of B…..m soon! We definitely want to stay in your house in August to confirm – for two weeks, but not arriving until the Mon (16th) I believe Ali + Rachael will join us this year + my folks for a day or two. Much love Janice, Adam, Sam + Emily xxxx

Wow! Tons of info crammed onto this card, which sadly lacks a date and a Spanish postmark.  However, the sights and appeal of Lanzarote are elequontly described by Janice, who has obviously enjoyed the trip.

The card has been post mark stamped in Frankfurt, presumably while en route to the UK.  The stamp is an IFCC prepaid for a postcard.

This is an unusual card as I do not recall ever meeting Janice and family; we have never been friends! Janice mentions Ali + Rachael in the text – I am friends with Ali and have known her about 25 years; we were expecting babies around the same time. I stayed in touch with Ali after moving to live closer to the sea.  Despite being near the beach in the UK we would often go to France for two weeks in August, thus it made sense for Ali + Rachael to use our house for a holiday; Ali’s great friend Janice would also stay at ours with her family 🙂 I still see Ali regularly and she keeps me up to date with news of Janice and family!  

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with love from Pisso Livadi, Paros, Greece (1986)

With love from Greece

Dear Hilary & Simon, Hello there, just to let you know that I’ve moved down to Plymouth, got a brilliant job in Freedom Fields – but at the moment Chris & I are on holiday in the greek islands – stayed in Athens for 2 days & saw the sights – then sailed down to Paros – which is out of this world – quiet, relaxing & very cheap. found this gorgeous village and harbour which really has got us hooked!!! and in love with it – Moving on to Santorini on Tuesday, an island rich in beauty. Having a fantastic time really wonderful to have Chris at home – Take care and keep in touch Lots of love Anne & Chris xxxx

Lots of information in this cheerful and exciting status update from Anne & Chris who are making the most of their trip to Greece.

This is another card taking the opportunity to update a change of address at the same time as raving about the gorgeous harbour village of Pisso Livadi, which, thirty years later, is now slightly more developed!

The post mark is very feint but the date ’17 X 86′ is visible. The 40 lepta stamp is from the 1986 twelve ‘Gods of Olympus’ series (mythology) and features Hephaestus – god of fire, metalworking, stone masonry and forges.

Sadly, I still have not managed to re-connect with Anne…

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with love from Manchester (2016)

with love from Manchester

Dear Hilary, We’re in Manchester, staying with Julia and Matt. Had a visit to the Whitworth Gallery. Julia & Matt are now in their own little house in Didsbury. Hope the foot is on the mend. Sue

Post marked ‘Royal Mail South Midlands Mail Centre 19-01-2016’ the status update on this card is brief and informative.

Featured on the front is Manchester’s Whitworth Gallery, which has recently undergone extension and renovation works.

The other postmark is ‘Celebrating 500 Years of Royal Mail 1516-2016’ Amazingly, it seems we have had some sort of postal service in the UK since Henry VIII was king!

I have been friends with this fourth Sue for over 20 years; we met when our children started school and we used to chat every day in the playground. We still see each other, but not quite so often these days; the children have all remained friends too 🙂  I had a minor operation on my foot in January which Sue refers to in her message.  I’m still no wiser about Sue no 3, 2 or 1….

 

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with love from the Texel, Netherlands (1995)

With love from Texel 1995

Dear Hilary & Simon! We’re spending our holiday on the dutch island Texel this year and had two weeks with a lot of sunshine at the North Sea – very relaxing! Hope everything is allright with you and we’ll hear from each other soon! Yours Paul & Claudia

There is a little sketch of a seagull at the top of this card, which at first glance looks printed on but is in fact drawn by Claudia – look even closer and you’ll see the seagull relieving himself, perhaps this is the only hazard to be found on the peaceful island of Texel?

The postmark reads ‘HAARLEM 31 V 95’ and carries 80 cents of stamps.

Claudia and I exchanged letters and cards between Germany and the UK for many years, losing touch some time in the 1990’s.  Amazingly, in ‘parallel’ lives fashion, she recently found some old letters from me, did a quick internet search and got back in touch via this blog.  Even more amazingly, Claudia had planned a visit to London last weekend, so we met for an afternoon and caught up the last 20 years.  We got along very well, helped by her ability to speak fluent English; and as she pointed out, we already knew lots about each other as we’d always written long and detailed letters. I’m confident that we’ll continue to be good friends into the future 🙂 Happy Endings/Beginnings!

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with love from River Tagus, Lisbon (c1982)

With love from River Tagus, Portugal 198

Hello Hilary, Happy Birthday. Yes it’s 27th Oct so hopefully this will get to you in time Hope to see you all at Christmas Take Care Love Sue xxx

Sent in plenty of time for my birthday, this greeting does not contain even the briefest of status updates – there is no clue as to why, or for how long Sue is in Portugal.  She hopes to see us ‘all’ at Christmas, suggesting that Sue knew the whole family, rather than just me. Look closely, and above ‘Miss’ she has written, in brackets, ‘I THINK’ Is she wondering if I have got married?

The crucial final number of the post mark date is missing ‘Lisbon 27 Oct 8?’ so I am guessing at ’82, but it could be later.  The stamp is from The Development of Working Tools series issued on 2nd January 1980 and in circulation until 31 August 1989.

The atmospheric picture on the front is of the mouth of the River Tagus, Lisbon.

 

This is the third Sue that has featured; sadly, also the third that I am unable to identify and with whom I have lost touch 😦 If your name is Sue and you think you recognise your own handwriting, please leave a comment – it would be lovely to reconnect… Here is the first Sue, and the second Sue. 

 

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with love from the Algarve, Portugal (1983)

With love from Algarve

8.07.83 Hallo Hilary! I send you a lot of greetings from the Algarve. Portugal is a marvellous country with very friendly people and a great landscape, especially in the Atlantic coast. The Algarve isn’t that nice, (too many tourists) and so we leave Portugal tomorrow to spend some days in Spain. I hope you also had a nice holiday & lots of ☼ (sunshine) Best wishes! Claudia

A beautiful sunset over the cliffs of the Algarve which, despite the charms of the landscape, seems spoilt by tourists!

The postmark ‘11.07.83 Vila Real St Antonio‘ suggests that it was dropped in the post box just before Claudia and her companion crossed over the river to Spain. The stamps are from the 1978-1983 definitive set of twenty two, illustrating work tools.

As previously mentioned, Claudia and I exchanged letters and cards between Germany and the UK for many years; however, it is now a long time since I last heard from her.