BRITAIN- Rochester Castle

Thanks to Elaine for the card.

"Rochester Castle located in Kent, England, was first constructed shortly after 1066 CE by the Normans, was converted into stone between 1087 and 1089 CE, and then added to over subsequent centuries, notably between 1127 and 1136 CE, and again in the mid-14th century CE. The imposing castle keep or donjon seen today was added in the 12th century CE and is one of the best-preserved and tallest of any medieval castle. Odo of Bayeux, half-brother of William the Conqueror (r. 1066-1087 CE), was a famous resident as well as the bishops of Rochester. In 1215 CE Rochester was the scene of a major siege by King John of England (r. 1199-1216 CE) when rebel barons temporarily took over the castle. Today the site is managed by English Heritage and is an important surviving example of 12th-century CE castle architecture." Source

UNITED KINGDOM- The Holy Island of Lindisfarne

The Holy Island of Lindisfarne. One of the most important centers of early Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England. Founded by St Aidan in AD  635, the causeway floods at high sea, check tide times before crossing.

Thanks to Gill for the card.

 

UNITED KINGDOM - the Model village, Bourton-On-The-Water

A card from Alex. His message read; As you can see I buy old postcards and give them the journey they never had. Well said!

"The Model Village is a one-ninth scale replica of the heart of the beautiful Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water, containing all the buildings from the Old Water Mill (now the Car Museum) down to the Old New Inn and the ford, all built in Cotswold stone. 

In the Model Village you become a giant as you tower above the miniature stone houses. Walk alongside the river Windrush and cross its miniature bridges. Enjoy the miniature gardens complete with flowers and miniature trees. Listen to the choirs singing in the churches, investigate the local shops, and find the model of the Model Village!

The village was created by a previous landlord of the Old New Inn, taking local craftsmen five years to build, and it was officially opened on the Coronation Day of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the late Queen Mother) in 1937."

UNITED KINGDOM - Nottinghamshire

Thansk to Nickie for the card.

Queen Elizabeth II - Christmas Reply (2018)

This is my first year writing to the Queen for Chrismas.  I am so happy to received a reply from her Lady In Waiting.:)

The back of the envelope features the Queen monogram

The envelope is the usual from British Royals.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Christmas Reply

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Christmas Reply

Yippe!! my second reply from British royal arrived today, it's from TRH the Duke and Duchess of Sussex thanking me for my Christmas and New year wishes.

The card shows Meghan holding an umbrella over Harry during an engagement on their overseas tour. The prince was delivering a speech in Dubbo, Australia, when it began raining.

The message on the back

The front envelope is usual from the British Royals, with the red postmark from the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace.

The back of the envelope features black crown with Kensington Palace underneath. 

ENGLAND - York

York, York Minster form the city walls. Thanks to Emily for the card. Interesting history!

'York is a historic walled city in North Yorkshire, England. At the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss, it is the historic county town of the historic county of Yorkshire. York Minster and a variety of cultural and sporting activities make it a popular tourist destination.

York has, since Roman times, been defended by walls of one form or another. To this day, substantial portions of the walls remain, and York has more miles of intact wall than any other city in England. They are known variously as York City Walls, the Bar Walls and the Roman walls (though this last is a misnomer as very little of the extant stonework is of Roman origin, and the course of the wall has been substantially altered since Roman times). The walls are generally 13 feet  high and 6 feet wide."

LONDON - Windsor Castle

Thanks to Sandra for the card.

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall Christmas Reply

Look at what I found in my mailbox, a lovely Christmas reply arrived today from The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. My first ever received card from the royal family. :):)

Photograph taken at Clarence House before HRH's 70 Birthday Party

The cover - it was mailed out on January 15, with UK Official Royal Postmarks

The back cover - Charles and Camilla stationary stamp

Fingers crossed, hoping to get response from other royal family,  I sent out 4 cards last December.. 

UNITED KINGDOM - Wells Cathedral

The West From, Wells Cathedral (circa 1230).  Once painted, as a gallery of medieval statuary unrivaled in England, measuring 45mx22.5mH.  There are 293 statues.

Thanks to Richard for the card.

UNITED KINGDOM - Charlotte Square, Edinburgh

Thanks to Paul for the card.

UNITED KINGDOM - Hampton Court Palace, Great Hall

 Thanks to Paul for the card.

"The Great Hall of Hampton Court Palace is the only surviving hall built by Henry VIII. At first-floor level, it stands above two large cellars and was principally constructed between 1532 and 1535. The Great Hall either completely replaced a medieval ground-floor hall or may, conceivably, be a very substantial rebuilding of an earlier first-floor hall built by Cardinal Wolsey. Certainly, in the early 1530s a conscious decision was made to dramatically remodel the Great Hall in order that Hampton Court could accommodate the full royal court for the celebration of principal court festivals, such as Christmas, Twelfth-Night and Easter. These festivals required large spaces to accommodate lavish court ceremony and entertainments (The Great Hall and other greater chambers); a Chapel Royal to permit elaborate liturgical celebration; and a substantial body of lodgings, served by a respectively large wing of kitchens and household offices, to accommodate the court and its guests" Source

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UNITED KINGDOM - Bamburgh

Thanks to Aida for the card.

'Bamburgh, A large village on the coast of Northumberland, towering over Bamburgh Village and overlooking miles of golden sands and the Fames island is Bamburgh Castle.'

Audrey Hepburn

Thanks to Rachel for the great stamps.

HRH Princess Charlotte of Cambridge Christening

The Official portrait for the Christening of Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Cambridge photographed in the drawing room at Sandringham House, Norfolk, on July 5th 2015.

Picture standing (L-R) Michael Middleton, Pippa Middleton, James Middleton, Carole Middleton, HRH Prince Charles The Prince of Wales, Camilla The Duchess of Cornwall, HRH Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh.

Seated HRH Prince William Duke of Cambridge and HRH Catherine The Duchess of Cambridge with Prince George and Princess Charlotte and HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Thanks so much to Lucia for the great addition to my royalty collection!

Princess Diana Wedding

Lovely card of Prince Diana wedding, a great addition to my royal collection.
Thanks to Susan for the card.

HRH Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle

HRH Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle  upon announcing their engagement at Kensington Palace, 27 November 2017.

Thanks so much to Agnes for this awesome card, a great addition to my royalty collection.

SCOTLAND - St Giles Cathedral

And the second card from Agnes from her trip to Scotland.  Thanks so much Agnes!

"St Giles' Cathedral, also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, is the principal place of worship of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh. Its distinctive crown steeple is a prominent feature of the city skyline, at about a third of the way down the Royal Mile which runs from the Castle to Holyrood Palace. The church has been one of Edinburgh's religious focal points for approximately 900 years. The present church dates from the late 14th century, though it was extensively restored in the 19th century, and is protected as a category A listed building. Today it is sometimes regarded as the "Mother Church of Presbyterianism". The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Giles, who is the patron saint of Edinburgh, as well as of cripples and lepers, and was a very popular saint in the Middle Ages. It is the Church of Scotland parish church for part of Edinburgh's Old Town."

UNITED KINGDOM - The Cathedral Canterbury

Cathedral in Kent is one of the oldest and most famous buildings in the UK. It has 21 bells in its three towers and the oldest bell dates back to 1635 AS. Thanks Eunice for the card.

Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England. It forms part of a World Heritage Site. It is the cathedral of the Archbishop of Canterbury, currently Justin Welby, leader of the Church of England and symbolic leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion; the archbishop, being suitably occupied with national and international matters, delegates most of his functions as diocesan bishop to the Bishop suffragan of Dover, currently Trevor Willmott. Its formal title is the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Christ at Canterbury. 

Founded in 597, the cathedral was completely rebuilt from 1070 to 1077. The east end was greatly enlarged at the beginning of the twelfth century, and largely rebuilt in the Gothic style following a fire in 1174, with significant eastward extensions to accommodate the flow of pilgrims visiting the shrine of Thomas Becket, the archbishop who was murdered in the cathedral in 1170. The Norman nave and transepts survived until the late fourteenth century, when they were demolished to make way for the present structures. 

Before the English Reformation the cathedral was part of a Benedictine monastic community known as Christ Church, Canterbury, as well as being the seat of the archbishop.