Huddersfield, England

I just came across these postcards this last weekend. I felt an immediate sense of recognition, although I've never been to Huddersfield or anywhere in Yorkshire for that matter. I am only familiar with Huddersfield, because I know that's where Alan of News from Nowhere  fame lives.

Anything I told you about Huddersfield would just be rehashed from Wikipedia, but I will tell you that this park is still there and appears to be popular. One of the park's most popular events is an annual Caribbean Carnival. I don't know who came up with that idea, but I think it would be a nice gesture if folks in the Caribbean reciprocated with a Yorkshire Festival of some kind.

I like this second card very much. The scan may not show the metallic quality of this silver print, so you'll just have to take my word for it.

There appears to be a sign on the left for Marshall's Pianos and a hotel on the right the ____ Imperial Hotel. Of course, the first thing I did was to get on Google street view and go for a little walk around the area. New Street is still there, but it seems to feed into lots of other interesting streets, so off I went. When you walk with Google, you walk down the middle of the road. That may be why this poor lady looks the way she does. What happened to her legs? Do you think I should call a virtual ambulance? And look at all the Sumo wrestlers in the windows!


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These walks down the middle of the road are particularly disconcerting when you forget that the Brits drive on the left-hand side. I feel lucky to have survived this virtual adventure.  I walked briskly into a dead-end street, turned around, ended up at a massive bus station and then decided to head out to the countryside on Ashes Lane. It was so green and beautiful, and I was captivated by the stone walls. I may have to visit for real some day.

Here are the backs of the cards in the same order. Sadly, no messages.

For the Fate of a Soldier...

On Memorial Day we commemorate the soldiers who lost their lives in battle. Let's also remember the families who lost someone they loved.

Here are the backs of the cards in the same order.

Venice, Italy

Here is another postcard from the former collection of the Walker & Weeks architecture firm. I imagine that they traveled all over Europe, collecting postcards of buildings that inspired them.

Here we have the beautiful Piazza San Marco and a similar view many years later. Yours truly, striking a pose.

And then the Piazetta - and the same approximate view on a less sunny day.

Did we forget to smile? Were they sold out of gelato at the corner store? Were the pigeons attacking someone? Oh, what could be the matter? Will someone please help these people!
Tired of looking at pigeons? You may want to go check out dogs and cats at Sepia Saturday.