USA – Cincinnati Ohio

Cincinnati city in the U.S. state of Ohio, and is one of the southern most cities in the American North. Settled in 1788, Cincinnati is located north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it the Ohio's third-largest city. According to the 2010 Census Bureau estimate, the Cincinnati metropolitan area had a population of 2,130,151 making it the largest MSA in Ohio and the 27th most populous in the United States Residents of Cincinnati are called Cincinnatians. In the early 19th century, Cincinnati was the first American boomtown in the heart of the country to rival the larger coastal cities in size and wealth. As the first major inland city in the country, it is sometimes thought of as the first purely American city. It developed initially without as much recent European immigration or influence as took place in eastern cities. However, by the end of the 19th century, with the shift from steamboats to railroads, Cincinnati's growth had slowed considerably and the city became surpassed in population by many other inland Midwest cities, especially Chicago. Cincinnati is home to two major sports teams, the Cincinnati Reds and the Cincinnati Bengals, and it sponsors annual events such as the Cincinnati Masters tennis tournament, the Ohio Valley Jazz Festival, and the Thanksgiving Day race. The University of Cincinnati traces its foundation to the Medical College of Ohio, which was founded in 1819. Cincinnati is known for its large collection of historic architecture. Over-the-Rhine, a neighbourhood just to the north of Downtown Cincinnati, boasts among the world's largest collections of Italianate architecture, rivalling similar neighbourhoods in New York City, Vienna and Munich in size and scope. Constructed manly between 1850-1900, Over-the-Rhine was the centre of life for German immigrants for many years, and is one of the largest historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This nice card was sent to me by Erin.

South Africa - Cape Point

Cape Point is a promontory at the southeast corner of the Cape Peninsula, which is a mountainous and scenic landform that runs north-south for about thirty kilometres at the extreme southwestern tip of the African continent in the Republic of South Africa. Table Mountain and the city of Cape Town are close to the northern extremity of the same peninsula. The cape is located about 2.3 kilometres (1.4 mi) east and a little north of the Cape of Good Hope on the southwest corner. Although these two rocky and beautiful capes are very well-known, neither cape is actually the southernmost point in Africa; that is Cape Agulhas, approximately 150 kilometres (90 mi) to the east-southeast.

The peak above Cape Point is higher than that above the Cape of Good Hope. The rugged sandstone (Table Mountain sandstone) ridge that rises from Cape Point at sea level develops into two peaks. There is a major peak that dominates the skyline locally but there is also a smaller peak about 100 m further south. The higher peak has the old lighthouse on the top. The Flying Dutchman Funicular runs from a car park to the north up to slightly below the level of the old lighthouse and a short flight of steps leads to a viewing platform at the base of the lighthouse. From the end of the railway a second path leads to the lower peak. Maria sent me this card.

Cape Point lighthouse is the most powerful lighthouse in South Africa.
In 1860 the first lighthouse was completed, 238 meters (816 feet) above sea level. In 1913 the construction of a second lighthouse on Dias Point began, about 87 meters (286 feet) above sea level. It was first lit at sunset on 11 March 1919.

Happy Family Vehicle

This is what I call a Happy Family Vehicle. Don't you?

Finland – Inge Look – Grannies

Who doesn’t know Inge Look and her favourite creation the

Grannies. Here, I present before you The Grannies having a ball. Thanks to Juho from Poorvoo and the second card from My dear Friend Merja.

Germany - Helgoland Lighthouse

The territory of Helgoland (sometimes spelled Heligoland in English) includes a pair of small islands (Hauptinsel Helgoland and Düne) in the North Sea about 50 km (30 mi) west of St. Peter, a similar distance north of Wangerooge, and 70 km (45 mi) northwest of Cuxhaven. Controlled at various times by the Duchy of Schleswig or by Hamburg, the islands were seized by Denmark in 1714 and then by Britain in 1807. The British remained in control until 1890, when they ceded Helgoland to Germany in return for a favorable settlement of colonial claims in Africa. Helgoland has a permanent population of about 1700. It is a popular tourist attraction accessible by ferry from Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Wedel, and Cuxhaven daily from late March through late October. For administrative purposes, Helgoland is attached to Pinneberg District, a district on the north side of the Elbe just below Hamburg. Apart from its enormous power, the Heligoland lighthouse is noteworthy for the fact that a return has been made to the old form of parabolic mirror, with a light in the focus [like the ancient Pharos lighthouse used], instead of the usual Fresnel lenses and prisms. Stan on one of his frequent travels came across this lighthouse on its 75^th anniversary and sent me this nice card.

Germany - Maybach

Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH is a German luxury car manufacturer. It was founded in 1909 by Wilhelm Maybach and his son. The company was originally a subsidiary of Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH and was itself known as Luftfahrzeug-Motorenbau GmbH until 1912. Today, the brand is owned by Daimler AG and based in Stuttgart. Maybach has historic roots through the involvement of Wilhelm Maybach, who was the technical director of the Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) until he left in 1907. On 23 March 1909 he founded the new company, Luftfahrzeug-Motorenbau GmbH (literally "Aircraft Engine Building Company"), with his son Karl Maybach as director In 1912 they renamed it to Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH ("Maybach Engine Construction Company"). The company originally developed and manufactured diesel and petrol engines for Zeppelins, and then rail cars. The Maybach Mb.IVa was used in aircraft and airships of World War I. The company first built an experimental car in 1919, with the first production model introduced two years later at the Berlin Motor Show. Between 1921 and 1940, the company produced various classic opulent vehicles. The company also continued to build heavy duty diesel engines for marine and rail purposes. After WW II the factory performed some repair work, but automotive production was never restarted, and some 20 years later, the company was renamed MTU Friedrichshafen. Daimler-Benz purchased the company in 1960. My Friend Maria knows I like Vintage cars, so she sent me these nice cards.

Finland – Santakari Beacon