AFRICAN WILDLIFE - CHEETAH, LION

The cheetah is the world's fastest land mammal. With acceleration that would leave most automobiles in the dust, a cheetah can go from 0 to 60 miles (96 kilometers) an hour in only three seconds. These big cats are quite nimble at high speed and can make quick and sudden turns in pursuit of prey. Most wild cheetahs are found in eastern and southwestern Africa.

 Kenya's Pride

Living in the grasslands, scrub, and open woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa, the lion is the second largest cat in the world. Lions have been celebrated throughout history for their courage and strength. 

Size: Head and body, 1.4 to 2 m; Tail, 67 to 100 cm
Weight: 120 to 191 kg
Group name: Pride
Protection status: Vulnerable

Stamp: red-and-yellow barbet

The red-and-yellow barbet is about 8 or 9 inches long. It has a long, strong, pointed red bill. It has red, yellow black and white upper parts and yellow under parts. It lives in eastern Africa, in woodlands, scrubland and savannah, where it usually forages on the ground near trees or bushes. The Masai use the feathers of red-and-yellow barbets as clothing decorations. 

FLORIDA

For the majority of Florida’s 105 million annual visitors, the typical travel poster images of Florida – sun, sea, sand, and Mickey Mouse – are reason enough to jump on the next plane. The Sunshine State deserves its reputation as the perfect family vacation spot, but Florida is much richer in its culture, landscape, and character than its stereotypical image suggests.

Spring Training in south and central Florida. Let's play ball!

• State Capital - Tallahassee 
• Largest City - Jacksonville
• State Nickname - The Sunshine State
• Florida is the fourth most populous state in the USA, after California, New York and Texas.
• Origin of the Name Florida - Florida was first seen by the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon on Palm Sunday on April 2, 1513 - he then named the "Pascua de Florida," meaning "Feast of Flowers" and claimed it for Spain.
  
• Major Industries - tourism, agriculture (oranges, grapefruit, tomatoes), electronics 

 

Peaceful picturesque beaches line Florida's coast 

Postcard of one of many Florida beaches. The best beaches are along the Atlantic, where the water, as blue and pure as on the front, travels as far as the eye can see, kissing the sky where the horizon lies. The white, hot crispy sand squishes beneath your feet and between your toes as the sun warry your cheeks and salty ocean breeze tickles your face.

ANNANDALE

Annandale, an unincorporated area, is located at the tip of a coastal peninsula in peaceful Eastern Prince Edward Island, Kings County. Name given about 1868 in deference to James Johnston, who was born in Annandale, Dumfriesshire, Scotland in 1837. He began business here in 1855 when it was known as Grand River Wharf. It's a quaint fishing community. Annandale became part of the Community of Annandale-Little Pond-Howe Bay in 1975. Annandale Wharf is located at the mouth of the Boughton River, and there is a picturesque sandspit near the wharf that borders the entrance to the Annandale Wharf from the ocean. This wharf is located on the east coast of PEI not far from the town of Montague. 

 

Annandale Wharf in Summer

Picturesque fishing wharf with short red sand beach that allows for clam digging at low tide, sea kayaking, and leisurely beach strolls. During the lobster season in May and June more than 25 fishing boats berth at the wharf. There are a number of interpretive panels near the wharf describing its early settlement.

SPIRIT OF TASMANIA

The Spirit of Tasmania is a large ferry that runs daily between Melbourne, on Australia’s south coast, and Devonport in northern Tasmania. It was built in 1986 as MS Peter Pan by Schichau Unterweser, Bremerhaven, Germany for TT-Line. Between 1993 and 2002 the ship was named MS Spirit of Tasmania, owned by the Tasmanian Government and operated by TT-Line Pty. Ltd. and used on traffic across the Bass Strait. Measuring 161m long, 27.6m wide and weighing over 31,000 tonnes, the ship can carry 490 cars, plus 60 buses or trucks, with berths for 1278 persons. One of Australia’s most iconic travel experiences, Spirit of Tasmania makes travelling across Bass Strait flexible, convenient and easy. The trip on board Spirit of Tasmania takes approximately 9-11 hours.

Operating between Devonport and Melbourne, The Spirit of Tasmania is the largest ferry to carry the Australian flag.

SPIRIT OF TASMANIA

POST OREGON

Post is an unincorporated community in Crook County, Oregon, United States. It lies along Oregon Route 380 southeast of Prineville - the most historical town in Central Oregon. It is a great little town. It’s got that off-the-beaten track, locals-only, undiscovered territory kind of charm. As of 2014, Post (zip 97752)'s population is 14 people. Named for Walter H. Post, the postmaster. The post office was established in 1889. The geological marker in a field nearby: a post marking the geographic center of the state of Oregon (located in Crook County, 25 miles SSE of Prineville). This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F. Post has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate.

The Post Store, Post Office, gas pumps and Elkhorn Tavern is located 300 yards southeast of the geographic center of the State of Oregon. The ground was included in the Indian Treaty of 1855

Postcrossing Postcard US-3113818

FISH HOEK

 One of the many popular seaside resorts along the peninsula with a fine safe bathing beach. Especially frequented by old and young windsurfers and catamaran sailors. On the other side of the beach is a popular Hobie Cat launching spot where regular regattas offer a colourful spectacle for visitors. A stipulation laid down in 1818 by Lord Charles Somerset (who also declared free fishing rights for all) in the original grant of the land that no public house be kept on the farm has been strictly adhered to. The sale of liquor is prohibited in Fish Hoek. The only teetotal town in the country. 

Peer's Cave. A rock shelter named after the man who discovered the so-called Fishhoek Man, estimated to be about 15 000 years old. 

A lovely spot for bathing. Cape Peninsula, South Africa.

CANADIAN ROCKIES WILDLIFE

The beauty of the Canadian Rockies is breathtaking. Massive mountains, emerald green lakes and rivers, waterfalls, huge forests, glaciers and miles upon miles of absolute natural beauty will astound you. Here, in a land of huge unspoiled wilderness areas, wildlife and natural beauty abound. In the Rocky Mountain towns of Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper, elk and bighorn sheep are a common sight wandering the urban streets, while further afield bears, wolves and more are to be spotted by considerate and careful wanderers.

Bighorn Sheep can often be seen alongside mountain roads. 

Bighorn sheep are some of the most distinctive mammals of the Canadian Rockies. Easily recognized by their impressive horns, they are often seen grazing on grassy mountain slopes or at salt licks beside the road. Bighorn sheep are particularly tolerant of humans and often approach parked vehicles.

 

The Mule Deer is a familiar sight in the Canadian Rockies.

One of the biggest attractions of the Canadian Rockies is the abundance of wildlife, especially large mammals such as moose, bighorn sheep, and bears, which are all widespread and easily viewed throughout the mountains. The animals of the Canadian Rockies are legendary throughout the world for their grandeur, mystique and beauty.
 

Grizzlies, second largest of eight recognized species of bears worldwide (only polar bears are larger), have disappeared from most of North America but are widespread throughout the Canadian Rockies. The bears’ color ranges from light brown to almost black, with dark tan being the most common.

The giant of the deer family is the moose, an awkward-looking mammal that appears to have been designed by a cartoonist. It has the largest antlers of any animal in the world. They are not particularly common in the Canadian Rockies, numbering around 400. Although they may appear docile, moose will attack humans if they feel threatened.

COCOS KEELING ISLANDS

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are located in the Indian Ocean 2950 kilometres north-west of Perth and 3700 kilometres west of Darwin. There are 27 coral islands in the group with a total land area of approximately 14 square kilometres. Only two of the 27 islands are inhabited. Australia's last unspoilt paradise lies in the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, kissed by the sun and caressed by fragrant trade winds.

 

Apart from North Keeling Island (declared a National Park in 1995 and is administered by Parks Australia), which is 30 kilometres from the main group, the Islands form a horseshoe-shaped atoll surrounding a lagoon. The people of the Cocos Keeling Islands voted to become part of Australia in 1984.

 

On the stamps:

• The Herald Petrel (Pterodroma arminjoniana) is a medium-sized bird belonging to the Procellariidae family. It is a sea bird and spends much of its life on or above the ocean, only really visiting nesting grounds during breeding season.

• Home Island - located across the lagoon and just a short ferry ride away, this unique part of the Cocos Keeling Islands is a must-see for visitors. Home of the Cocos Malay people, the island offers a complete contrast to West Island.

 

Received from Cocos Keeling Islands Visitor Centre

ST HELENA

the most extraordinary place on earth 

Situated 1000 miles from mainland of Africa and 1700 miles from Cape Town. This green gem set in a ring of bronze as a poet once called ST HELENA. Much of its charm lies in its remoteness. The Islander are British and proud of it.
The countryside of St Helena consists of astonishing contrasts. The terrain ranges from wind eroded desert with multi-coloured ridges and valleys, to flax and tree covered hillsides, soft pasture, lush vegetation-filled valleys and large areas of prickly pear scrub. The surrounding coastline is magnificent with 1000 feet high cliffs dropping, sometimes sheer, to rocks against which Atlantic rollers pound.

Jamestown by night. The island's capital Jamestown at night, with the Royal Mail Ship St Helena at anchor in James Bay.

Jamestown is not only the capital of the island it is also the only town. Exploring Jamestown is a delight rather akin to a treasure hunt. By far the greatest number of buildings in the town are of eighteenth or nineteenth century origin. The most spectacular feature of Jamestown is Jacob's Ladder: 699 steps leading from the floor of the valley, on which the town is built, to the top of Ladder Hill.

The island of St Helena is best known as Napoleon's place of exile. Longwood House where Napoleon spent the final six years of his life is filled with Napoleonic memorabilia.

Memories of St Helena will remain long after the rest has faded!

   

Received from St Helena Tourism

WEST COAST WILDERNESS RAILWAY

 The West Coast Wilderness Railway is an award-winning railway and wilderness experience located on the west coast of Tasmania. The lovingly restored steam journey connects the historic towns of Queenstown and Strahan and is a wonderful way to experience a combination of Tasmanian wilderness, history, cuisine and hospitality. Three of the original trains now command the railway, built in 1896 (ABT 1), 1898 (ABT 3) and 1938 (ABT 5), and are beautifully restored to their former 28 tonne glory. 

The West Coast Wilderness Railway was originally built during the 1890s to transport copper from the mines in Queenstown to the port on the coast at Strahan. The railway operated until the 60’s when it became too expensive to run, and road transport became a more efficient way of travelling. The trains were decommissioned and the track fell into disrepair. However, reconstruction work started in the 1990s and in 2003 the railway was officially reopened. 

The West Coast Wilderness Railway embodies a wealth of stories, stories that tell of the ingenuity, resilience and determination that turned the west coast of Tasmania into one of the wealthiest mining regions in the world.   

West Coast Wilderness Railway