Ouchy, Switzerland

Not far from Lausanne is Ouchy, and it is not painful at all.

When this picture was taken in or around 1888 Ouchy was predominantly a fishing port although tourism was taking off. Nowadays it is prodominantly a Swiss lakeside resort, with many waterfront cafés, but fishing has not tailed off completely.

Station Avenue, Caterham, 1908

This postcard is of Caterham in the valley.

The writer is fairly new to Cater ham in Surrey and says "I am so happy and comfortable here. Its is such a pretty place. The living is good here, we have plenty of it."

Towel Over Shoulder

Is it a symbol of a shared trade or are they pretending to be on the beach?

Smart Man

The original postcard was so faded... but by darkening and adding contrast, and the removal of some dark blotches, this young man from Edwardian times now looks resplendent again. Only his eyes still look pale, but maybe they were pale to begin with.

Borrowed Stockings

It Says 'XMAS EVE "GOOD-NIGHT" BORROWED STOCKINGS.'

From The Star Series - G. D. & D,. London. Printed in Bavaria.

Opening Ceremony, Purley Cottage Hospital, 1909

The guard of honour, policeman, and crowds can be seen on this hundred year old postcard (Copyright W. Burdekin) eagerly awaiting the arrival of Princess Christian to open the Purley Cottage Hospital. Before 1880 Purley hardly existed but it quickly grew from that time with a railway station nearby, and so The Cottage Hospital was needed.

Cleanliness is Next to Godliness

On this card with ladies in Welsh costumes doing the weekly wash outside there is the slogan "Cleanliness is next to Godliness"

Barrow-In-Furness / Walney Ferry

This black and white card has been tinted by hand.

Walney Island has been connected by a bridge (Jubilee Bridge) to the Mainland since 1908 - that is one year after this card was sent in 1907. The card describes the island as agricultural "possessing a very rich soil which produces good crops of grain... part of the island has been acquired by the Barrow Corporation and made into a recreation park for the inhabitants..."

Barrow is an area of ship building. My father in law worked at the ship-yard, and my brother in law still works there - mostly on submarines.

Stilt Walking and Resin Collecting in Gascony

It says on the back of this postcard... "Les Landes de Gascogne - that is Gascony in France- Dans la forêt Landaise un jeune berger a secouru un petit agneau bien fatigué.'... The young shepherd has rescued a very tired little lamb from the forest.

The stilts were handy for walking quickly through marshy land (wet on top, but with a solid sand base below) and are featured on other postcards from Gascony. Other Gascony postcards feature pots collecting resin from trees, and if you look beside the young shepherd that is also featured here. So on this one I get both Gascony specialities together. Possibly twenty years old but difficult to date.

Tam O' Shanter Inn, Ayr, Ayrshire

Reputed to be the Inn described in Robert Burns' poem Tam O' Shanter. Here Tam caroused with Souter Johnnie, "His ancient, trusty, drouthy, crony." before setting out on his celebrated journey by the auld Brig O'Doon where his mare lost its tail escaping from the clutches of witches. Burns ends the poem with a warning... :

Whene'er to Drink you are inclin'd,
Or Cutty-sarks rin in your mind,
Think ye may buy the joys o'er dear;
Remember Tam o' Shanter's mare.