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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 Vancouver (c1983)

With love from Vancouver Island

Dear Hilary, Well here we are in beautiful B.C. We’ve been here a week and it’s great. We took a bus out here and it was awful. So far it’s been hot in the day and a bit chilly at night. We’re on Vancouver Island right now. We’ve been to a few lakes which are cool but nice. Lots of mountains and trees. My pack is too heavy again. It’s easy getting rides here. We’re off to Jasper and Banff soon. Talk to you soon, love Craig

There is no date on this card and the postmark is not legible. However, the wood stove heritage stamp was issued in April 1983.

The picture on the front is of North Vancouver Island. There is no clue as to who his companion is, but from the descriptive status update Craig sounds happy to be travelling again.

Back in the day Craig and I hitch hiked from Toronto to Los Angles (with very heavy packs, hence the references above). The story of that trip is probably a whole other blog! Since his death, I am the sole custodian of those memories…

 

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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.

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with love from St Malo, France (1985)

with love from St Malo

Hi Hilary, OK so you beat me to Xmas so I’m pipping you to the post at Easter. I’m staying with some friends in Brittany – a real break. The cuisine is delicious. I had some nasty exams before hols, the results I get when I return – urgh! Sorry I didn’t write sooner. Don’t eat too many Easter eggs. I’m off to see a bicycle race this p.m. lots of love Mandy x

Of course she’s seeing a bicycle race – it’s France!

A newsy update from St Malo which looks much the same today, although I’m pretty sure the colour of the sea has been enhanced; St Malo is on the other side of the English Channel (or La Manche) and I’ve never seen it that shade of blue!

Sadly, I cannot remember my connection with or how I knew Mandy, despite the fact that we were apparently in quite regular correspondence…

 

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with love from Southborough, Kent (1981)

Southborough Kent

As promised a post card from sunny Kent I don’t know if you’ll even get the card I sent from France as I posted it in Tonbridge with a French stamp on, not to worry though! We had a superb time in France it was really hot and the wine was very tastey too…someone said! The work hasn’t been to bad, infact its been pretty boring…I’ll be in touch, love Gerardxxxxxxxx

Following on from the previous card this one is postmarked Tunbridge Wells (UK) 17 June 1981

The reference to Tonbridge is a classic mistake often made by those not familiar with the area; the two towns are distinct and approximately 7 miles apart.

In 1851 David Salomon was the first Jew to speak in the British Parliament.  His country home dates back to the 1830’s

Royal Tunbridge Wells vs Tonbridge

Gerard was obviously keen to ensure that I received at least one post card from his trip south and across The Channel. This was just before I went to Norway for a year; sadly I cannot remember if we met up before I left; we did not meet up after my return. Despite several attempts at re-connecting with him, I have, as yet, been unable to do so…

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with love from Calais (1981)

Calais 1981

Well, after a complete change of plan I made it to France. The wine and weather has been superb. The French are very strange, they don’t seem to understand somehow. Anyway, all the best for the rest of the exams see you in July love Gerard

Although this card was purchased in France and carries a French stamp, it is postmarked Tunbridge Wells (UK) 15 June 1981 from where it was presumably posted.  Amazingly it still arrived. These days it would not have been delivered; a red note from the post man comes instead, advising collection from the sorting office upon payment of the correct postage.

The other postmark is advertising The Pantiles ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Gerard and I met on holiday when I was camping with my family and he was on his first ‘lads’ camping trip.  We had a ‘holiday romance’; we lived 300 miles apart, so continued our romance by letter; enthusiastically at first and later, intermittently; we managed to meet up from time to time. This card was written five years after we first met – it is a testament to our younger selves that we maintained this commitment to communicate for so long. Sadly we have now lost touch.

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with love from Sussex (1981)

love from Sussex

Hi Hilary, Michael here.  Bet you thought I wasn’t going to write!  I’m sorry about the card but I couldn’t get a wedding one so this was the best I could do.  By the way I’m at scout camp at the moment (Oh kinky) Love Michael.

The wedding referred to was, of course, the marriage of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer, when it seemed as though the whole world stood still to watch.  Souvenir memorabilia soon sold out and those slow on the uptake were forced to make do with old stock from other royal events.  This picture commemorating Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee is from four years earlier.

Postmarked ‘Sussex Coast 2.30pm 13 Aug 1981’, this was a time when there was more than one collection a day from UK post boxes.  The other post mark, as ever, is reminding us to ‘Be Properly Addressed POSTCODE IT’

1981 was the 25th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and a set of first day cover stamps designed by Philip Sharland was released accordingly.

Michael is the son of my Godmother and he is my mum’s Godson.  We were born within six months of each other and as our parents were good friends we saw each other often; as young teenagers we enjoyed memorable family holidays together. The card was sent to Norway in the early weeks of my time there – I missed home and was grateful to everyone who wrote – it was my main way of staying in touch. Our lives went in different directions; Michael and I lost touch.  Although he remains in contact with my mum, so I hear his news and he, presumably, gets mine.

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with love from Old Harry Rocks, Dorset (1983)

13 Old Harry

Dear Hilary, Arrived safely after 3 hrs on the train due to Rail diversion.  The cottage is really gordeous situated in the most prettiest countryside I’ve ever seen – went to Swanage on Monday – Corfe Castle and Durdle Door yesterday – Blue Pool and Lulworth Cove tomorrow – off to Dorchester today – thanks for a superb party – I really did enjoy myself – I’m having a very relaxing and enjoyable holiday.  Everything is fine.  See you soon lots of love Anne

Many of the highlights of Dorset are mentioned here, in what sounds like a busy week.  The weather was obviously good, for November, as it isn’t mentioned!  It is interesting to read Anne’s description of the countryside since she came from Cornwall, which is generally reckoned to be one of the most beautiful counties in the UK.

The Old Harry headland pictured and Studland Beach from which it projects are both protected by the National Trust, so will remain unspoilt for generations to come. They are also part of the South West Coast Path which starts at Studland and finishes at Minehead, Somerset.

The postmark date is Bournemouth & Poole, 30 Nov 1983 and the stamp is a second class 12½p for a small postcard.   Despite not including the now obligatory post code, the card was still delivered.

The other postmark says ‘Let’s get the most from our Post  Royal Mail: Bournemouth Area’

The party that she refers to was for my birthday.

I met Anne when I was in Norway, we were both working as children’s nannies/mothers’ help.  We were both away from home for the first time and formed the instant bond that comes when you’re sharing an intense experience.  Our friendship continued once we were back in the UK; Anne was my maid of honour when I married and we visited each other when we could.  Young families are demanding and we both felt the strain; Anne turned to me in a moment of need; I was less sympathetic than I could have been; I disagreed with her choices and was not diplomatic.  As a result we (or more honestly ‘I’) could not maintain the friendship or recover the closeness that we’d had in Norway.  I have lost touch with Anne.

 

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with love from The Marina, Ramsgate (1982)

With love from Ramsgate

Dear Hilary, Hope the journey home wasn’t too slow and that your keeping well.  With mum at the moment.  She is well and pleased to have me for the week.  Looking for a portable T.V. for her at the moment.  Having a lazy time and the weather is still very good.  See you soon love to family Love Gill xxx

A classic view of the Kent harbour town of Ramsgate, which still looks much the same today.

The postmark date is 4 Aug 1982. The other postmark is advising us to ‘Catch the sun in THANET Broadstairs Margate Ramsgate’ – popular seaside destinations, depending on your point of view.

I first met Gill in 1977 at a ‘street party’ organised by the families in my road to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth 11.  Gill was a young friend of our neighbours’ who regularly came to stay with them, and as we were the same age we struck up a friendship – both staying conscientiously in touch via letter.  This card was sent just after I had seen her in London, where I had visited her on my return from Norway.  Living in her father’s flat in London and having a full time job in London she seemed to me to be the height of sophistication – I was still trying to decide what to do with my life.  Gill has been a loyal correspondent and we are still in touch, via cards, email and the odd phone call,  although it is now many years since we actually met up.

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with love from Toronto (1984)

10 blog 31 12 14

Dear Hilary, Well you’re right, I don’t care too much for these silly christmas traditions but I do have a sense of humor. So I found the tackiest christmas card I could find and here it is.  I’m really busy at work these days but it’s not too late yet.  I’ve spent all my hard earned dollars on a huge set of speakers (4 feet x 3 feet x 2 feet) which are moving in this week.  I just hope they wont get us evicted!  Merry Christmas to you, Simon, Mom & Pop and the rest of the gang, love Craig

Although this card is sent from Toronto the 3D image is of Florida’s flamingos.  It is apparently part of a 3D collector series.

The postmark date is 18 Dec 1984

Craig was my first love; he came over to the UK to study for a year.  He went back to Canada, I went to Norway.  We wrote long letters to each other.  I went to Canada, we had some adventures.  He was younger than me; I wanted happy ever after; he wasn’t ready; I moved on.  We stayed in touch intermittently for several years.  Then one day his mum phoned to tell me that he had died (tears are pricking as I write this), he did not reach 30.  No old, bald paunch for him – forever young and forever in my heart.