UNESCO - Tallinn Old Town, Estonia, Nightiew

A great UNESCO card from Anna in Estonia.  The info on the back just says Tallinn, Estonia but Anna confirms that it's an area in Old Town. Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn.

Tallinn, Estonia

One of my mums favourite cities is Tallinn.  She likes cruises to see the world and has taken a few that have stops in Tallinn and she always looks forward to it.  I had thought that this might count as a UNESCO card but it's only Tallinn old town that is a WHS site.  Ah well, I'll get one eventually.

The origins of Tallinn date back to the 13th century, when a castle was built there by the crusading knights of the Teutonic Order. It developed as a major centre of the Hanseatic League, and its wealth is demonstrated by the opulence of the public buildings (the churches in particular) and the domestic architecture of the merchants' houses, which have survived to a remarkable degree despite the ravages of fire and war in the intervening centuries.

Saaremaa, Estonia

Fantastic postcard of Saaremaa from Merle in Estonia.  

Saaremaa is the largest of Estonia's islands and what a wonderful location for a home that house has near the shore.  I wonder how many people live on that island.

A great shaped stamp of the European Figure Skating Championships in Tallinn, 2010.

Stork

When small children used to ask where babies came from they were sometimes told that The Stork brought them.  It's common to see stork deliveries in older cartoons (I think Disney's Dumbo was brought by the Stork).  Here an unimpressed baby is either set for take-off or has just landed...

Portrait of 'k'

Look closely at this card. Englarge it if you need to but really take a good look at it... 

Looks like a regular portrait photo, right? 
Wrong. 
It's actually an oil painting! I've looked at this so long and hard and still can't tell that it's not a photo. This guy can paint!! 

The blouse, the cardigan...the earrings! It's amazing!

The subject is just named as 'K' and the original oil on canvas painting is by a Mr Craig Wylie. It was entered into the BP Portrait Award 2008. I wonder if he got a prize? 

Sent to me by Jalutaja in Tallin and she tells me that the BP portrait award was an important part of the plot in 'This Body of Evidence' by Elizabeth George.

Cartoon

Book cartoon card from fellow bookworm, Julataja in Estonia. 

I'm a big reader and the thicker the book, the happier I am. 

Bicycles

Wow! The last time I rode a bike was in childhood, I think. Maybe once or twice in the last few years but I could count the times on one hand probably. Nowadays if I could take the car from the bedroom to the bathroom I would. Ha! Lazy me! 

These ladies and gent seem to have no problem hauling themselves AND a mighty big load to where they're going and seem happy to be doing it. If that was me in the photo I'd be the one weeping and complaining because I'd be a seething mass of protesting muscle-ache, LOL! 

Thank you Jalutaja. 

Cute stamp too.

 

Spirited Away

I can never say no to a Spirited Away card when it's offered to me in a swap and this great one comes from Jalutaja. She gave me a couple of nice book recommendations too :)