Singapore

This is a photograph of the Chinese archway erected at St. Andrew’s Road (in front of the former Supreme Court) by ‘PO CHIAK KENG TAN SI CHONG SU’ in celebration of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on 2^nd June 1953 (68 years ago).

Finland - Joensuu

Joensuu is a city and municipality in North Karelia in eastern Finland. It is located in the province of Eastern Finland and is part of North Karelia region. It was founded in 1848. The population of Joensuu is 73,373 (January 31, 2011). In the upper card one sees the tiny castle in the River Pielisjoki. The Regional Council of North Karelia meets in this castle. In the lower picture, beyond the small harbour of Joensuu one can see the Evangelical-Lutheran Church, Kirkkokatu, Joensuu in the distance. Merja sent me these cards of this lovely “Forest City” of Finland. Joensuu is a lively student city with over 15,000 students enrolled at the University of Eastern Finland and a further 4,000 at the North Karelia Technical School

The largest employers are the municipal City of Joensuu, North Karelian Hospital District Federation of Municipalities, Abloy and Punamusta. The European Forest Institute, the University and many other institutes and export enterprises such as Abloy and John Deere Forestry give Joensuu an international flavour.

Joensuu is - as the name of the place translates - at the mouth of a river entering a lake. It is one of the relatively fast growing centres in Eastern Finland whichs university supplies a constant stream of freshmeat student from all over the country. There are reportedly also a few foreign students doing their study exchange or post-graduate studies here.

France - Painting

A lovely painting By Julian Taylor. Thanks a lot Maria.

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.