Sunday Stamps - 'R'4' USA, Great Britain

Echo 1 was the first passive communication satellite launched in 1960. It was used to bounce radio wave signals from one point on  the earth to another.

USA - 15 December 1960

In 1778 Captain Cook, in command of the Resolution and Discovery, discovered the Hawaiian Islands. The next stamp was issued two hundred years later.

USA - 13 January 1978

A set of three stamps was issued to commemorate the ninth British Commonwealth Games held in Edinburgh in 1970. the 5d stamp depicted 'runners'.

Great Britain - 15 July 1970

 For more 'R' related stamps visit Sunday-stamps-r.

Got the blues - Thematic Photography

Somehow I don't think that you will be depressed when you see these picture selected for Carmi's "Got the blues" theme.

Polar bear with the blues.

Even if that chap was depressed there is no doubting the fun this bear's having.

Polar bear icing

You may say there's no blue in my next shot unless you count the jeans worn by the bike rider.

Road sign - Oxford Michigan

When there are sports competitions between the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge in England the participants are awarded a 'Blue."

Oxford. Michigan has its own 'blue".

Oxford, MI, light blue water tower

In England however Oxford Blues are dark blue which would not be as attractive on a water tower.

Meanwhile on the East Coast of England there is this beach view.

Whitby, Yorkshire (looking north)

And if you try hard while you are there you may even get a shot of the replica of Captain Cook's Endeavour

The Endeavour approaching Whitby.

If these views aren't blue enough for you, and even if they are, you should take a trip across to Carmi at thematic photographic 199.

Happy New Year Saturday Sepians

The postman's been and gone; now it won't be long before the New Year arrives with a bang.

Back in 1945 when I was young you were prompted to make

Prior to the revolution you might have even received a card (if you lived in Russia)

Happy Christmas & New Year

Very rare pre-1917 postcard (CC BY-SA 2.0 - paukmus Rusian)

If you are inclined to make resolutions for the coming year in 1907 you might have been inspired by this.

Captain James Cook's Ship Resolution 1907

(from James Cook, The Circumnavigator, London - John Murray 1907)

Don't forget to visit other Sepians at Sepia Saturday's Christmas & New Year

All that's left for me to do now is to wish you all 

New Year Day postcard c1900

(by Its Lassie Time)

My Favourite Bark - Sepia Saturday

Now pay attention while I tell you a story about my favourite 'Bark'

 Earl of Pembroke - painting by Thomas Lundy

It all began in 1768 when the collier the Earl of Pembroke left Whitby harbour in the North East of England. Later that year the ship was renamed the HM Bark Endeavour and under the command of Captain Cook it set out on its world famous voyage to Australia so that Cook could witness the transit of Venus.

In 1770  the ship was damaged in bad weather and was forced to stay for 7 weeks for repairs off the coast of what today is the territory of Queensland near the mouth of a river. When Cook left he gave the river the name Endeavour; the town that grew up there later became Cooktown.

 Cooktown has held a Captain Cook 1770 Festival annually for 18 years. this years event is scheduled for 21-22 May.

 Replica of HM Bark Endeavour in Cooktown harbour

Photo by John Hill

The Australia replica sailed the Cook's route back to Whitby in 2007. It has been berthed at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney:

By Saberwyn (CC-ASA 3.0 License)

The Endeavour replica is due to circumnavigate Australia in 2011-12.

Back at Whitby another replica of the Endeavour gives tourists trips out into the North Sea.

 HM Bark Endeavour approaches Whitby

Endeavour replica in Whitby harbour.

Meanwhile  Stockton-on-Tees has a full size replica of the Endeavour tied up at the riverside in the town.

This trip around the world with my favourite 'Bark' has tired us out so I'll leave it to Bernard to bring it to an end.

[Both dogs where photographed at Whitby in 2008]

Endeavour to check out more at: Sepia Saturday 63