BORING POSTCARDS

Thanks Alan. The back of he card clearly says, in English, 'Tiger Palm Garden', but it could be a mis-spelling. It also says something in an Oriental script with which I am not familiar.

May all your tigers be balmy. And barmy.

RIP (Rest In Pastis)

Five Boring Sheep and one Bored Shepherd (somewhere in France)

Baaaa.

Not boring at all, Val, in contrary: interesting! I love those sheep, so if this card still is available, and not compostated / buried under any boredom, please send it to me and I will send you a really bored/boring postcard in return! (I’ll send you a postcard or two anyway :-) )

5BORING BLACK & WHITE AND ONE COLOURED FRENCH POSTCARDS

1. Napoleon's Bridge (Luz St Sauver)

Napoleon may have built this bridge, but if he took this photo of it he didn't do a very good job, as there's only a bit of his bridge there and a lot of sky and trees.

2.The Seine (at Chataou)Nice willow tree. Disappearing barges; And that's about all

3. The forest at Franchard, Fontainbleau (Seine et Marne)

It could be a forest anywhere, but we will take Guy's word that it's the Franchard forest.

4. 'Deputé Jean Hay' ferry (Ile d'Oleron (Ch.-Mrne)

The ferry is going from Le Chapus to Ors, or Ors to Le Chapus, one of which can be seen on the horizon on the right, and the Postcard was sent in 1957. (I can't find out anything about Jean Hay).

5; The Illuminations, Place de la Concorde, Paris

Very illuminating. ('Is that all you can say about this one, Val?' 'Yes'.)

6. ECOLE NATIONALE SUPERIERE AGRONOMIQUE DE RENNES

As it's a national French educational establishment, it has to be 'supérieure' -- which causes me to wonder if there is an 'inférieure' one somehere.

Thanks Heleen, I'll send you the sheep postacrd the enxt time I go to the Post Office.  I wonder why you find it iinteresting? Should I re-post it in the 'Interesting Postcards' Discussion? Hope you are well. Regards, Val

Thank you in advance, Val! As long as you think it boring you should not te-post it. But if the beauty and deepness of this card is suddenly unveiled for you, yes please, do! Otherwise I can post it there as soon as I’ll have received it.

p.s. My first boring (?) postcard to you is on his way. Two ewe, er, to you.

*re-post

Boring Postcard Collab! I’ll send you a boring postcard, you spruce it up, and return to me! Who wants one?

Hello Bonniediva,

I'm collecting these Postcards for an IUOMA Exhibition, or two. So send me what you can spare -- the more Boring the Better -- as I am the self-appointed Boring Postcard Guardian.

I will 'spruce' up the least Boring, or send you something else back, but really I am collecting and cosolidating these Postcards and not really passing them on. But, as with Heleen and the sheep, there are exceptions; Regards, Val

Heleen, Baaaaaaaaa! You'll get the sheep soon. Regards, Val

FROM OLENA SPICER -- WHO FOLOWS THIS GROUP, BUT IS NOT A MEMBER OF IT.....YET!

Tibettan Rug Design, Medallions

This is a United Nations' Childrens' Fund (UNICEF) Postcard, but I don't know if Tibettan children made this rug.

Will Olena now join our Group? Watch this space....

WHAT CAN BE MORE BORING THAN A WAREHOUSE IN THE PORT OF THESSALONIKI?, Asks Katerina.

I was unable to sleep for several nights as I struggled with this, but then 'Eureka!' as to what could be more Boring than a Warehouse in the Port of Thessalonoki was obviously TWO Warehouses in the Port of Thessalonoki!

PS Thanks, Katerina!

22.08.20 Dare Val M. H., ...actually, I am somewhat surprised & must agree with Ms. Katerina N.   ....... I would not have guessed that a warehouse  & port of Thessaloniki would have  so closely resembled the  typical ports & warehouses in the the U.S....so, yeah!... "pretty boring".  SinCelery, Richard C.

Thank You Dear Friend.  I do pray you are well.  All is good here.  Please send me boring post cards.   I love mail and also like to send.   Looking forward to mail.    Big safe Hugs to all.

Thank you for accepting me as member to group of Boring Post card. 

I love mail and will send.   I pray all is well and all is good here.   Thank you for mail.  I will send along.  Stay safe. 

NEW RULES FOR BORING POSTCARDS

The Executive Postcard Classification Committee* has adopted 2 new Rules concerning the acceptance, or otherwise, of Boring Postcards:

i) they must be commercial Postcards, ie sold by someone or other

ii) they must be in their original 'as sold' condition, and not have anything stuck, drawn, collaged, etc on the picture side.

*The Executive Postcard Classification Committee comprises Mr. Boots, Do Ghi°° and VMH

THREE ORE FROM MIKEL UNTZILLA

Thanks once again Mikel!

1. Partial View of Yungay Town, Peru

"...in the background the snow-covered Huascaràh".

It's only a 'partial view of the town', and I wonder what bits of it we don't get to see?

2. Cross Harbour Tunnel

"The exit and entrance of the Cross Harbour Tunnel with Hong Kong Island in the background."

The red and white double decker busses took the wrong exit when coing out of the Darford Tunnel in London.

3. Puenta de Valdeteja, La Vecilla, Leon, Spain

And not a bus in sight!

(Once again I ask myself, why on earth would anyone put this on a Postcard?)

25.08.20 Dare Mister Val. M.H., ...I like these new rules.That's one of the things that I admire about your projects. You know what you are doing. Maybe one day soon,  we can all simply wander off  & just abandon " Boring Postcards" out of boredom. SinCelery, Richard Canard

THREE MORE BORING POSTCARDS FROM KATERINA

Merci beaucoup, Katerina!

1. The Ant Hunter

This is 'The Ant Hunter'.

Or, Anthony (aka 'Ant') Hunter

Or Ant Hunter the Ant Hunter

Remember, "Ants' Lives Matter"

Or, "Ant's Life Matters"

2. Rodini Nenuphat, Rhodes Island, Greece

An action-packed, dynamic, Postcard. Alas, all that dynamic action is taking place under the water.

3. Storzeco Castle, Milan, Italy

Originally posted from Venzia to Thessaloniki in July 1977. Note the two Tiny Fiat 500s ('cinquecentos')

Thanks Jean, No the card doesn't break the new rules as it was not only as mailed' but also (I presume) 'as mailed and written on by the sender.

Here'sz another some of the same ilk: 'We live at 92a'

FROM HELEEN  VAN VEEN

Greetings from Chaam (Netherlands)

"The more I look at 'boring postcards', the more I'm considering the specific postcards are not boring," writes Heleen. "Both beauty and boredom are in the eye (balls) of the beholder, and for the ones who have too little time to be bored, boredom sounds like valhalla/utopia/ paradise. This card might look boring, but see the cyclist happily waving! And look at that wonderful chestnut tee! And the terrace, a superb example of both minimalisation  and correct social distancing. And who knows what these people aremesmerisingly philosophising about?"

TWO MORE FROM MIKEL UNTZILLA, AND HIS NEVER ENDING COLLECTION OF BORING POSTCARDS

Thanks once again, Mikel!

1. COCONUT TREE, FIJI

"Coconut trees grow to considerable heights, but getting to the top for the fruit poses no problems to the natives"

"Bravo, native!", he says with just a hint of colonialism and imperialism. And thanks to Ikbal Jannif who took the photograph -- no doubt with a telephoto lense at a safe distance from the tree so that he wouldn't get hit by a falling coconut -- and distributed it by Caines Jannif Ltd, Suva, Fiji, and got the Postcard printed in Australia.

2. Surtey island, Iceland

"Surtsey -- the island which was born during the submarine (sic) eruption, that started in November 1983 off the south coast of Iceland."

The volcanic island is interesting (look it up on Wiki) but the Postcard is Boring -- although I've never seen an island on fire before. As Surtey is inhabited there is no local fire brigade to put out fires like this.

Bonjour, Gang!

Are there any Boring or Interesting Trump or Biden Election Postcards in circulation?

Val

THREE MORE FROM KATERINA --THANKS! -- AND 1 FROM THE BBC

THREE MORE FROM KATERINA -- THANKS AGAIN! -- AND ONE FROM THE BBC

1. Salisbury Mall, Salisbury, Maryland

This Mall "..houses over 40 beautiful stores and service facilities'. It also has a magnificent parking lot, most of which was empty when it was  photod , which takes up most of the Boring Postcard. (Question to Group Administrator:F:ile in 'Boring Malls' or 'Boring Parking Lots?)

2. Smuggler's Inn, Tuscon, Arizona

"Our tropical award winning [which award?] courtyatd makes it easy to enjoy plenty of southwestern sunshine during your visit to Tuscon. For the finest in accomodation and personal service it's the Smuggler's Inn...".  Courses on how and what to smuggle are available evry Tuesday and Thursday evenings

3. Catholic Church, Virginia City, Nevada

Not all the bumph on the back is readable, but this can be made out; "...among the most beautiful houses of worship in America. It's marble altar was bought from Carrera, Italy, and its Stations of the Cross also came from Italy. In its majestic bell tower swings a  silver bell, casy in Spain, from bullion taken from a rich Comstock Lode mine that produced over $2,000,000 in silver".

Wow!

And now one from the BBC

The BBC is the Bad Back Club (of IUOMA). It has 2 members so far -- if you want to join, send a money order for $5,000 to the usual address -- Katerina and Val. Katerina has a bad back at the moment, and we wish her a speedy recovery. This Boring Postcard might cheer Katerina up, and she -- and you? -- can decide on a title for it.

i) early French clinique sausage machine

ii) NASA prototype space suit

iii) If you don't go to sleep right now, young lady, i will let all the air out

iv) other -- please specify

Kalimera and greetings to the BBC (Bad Back Club)

'got my steel brace on and sending off a few more postcards soon:

These hotels were soooo boring, not sure if they exist anymore!

Absolutely the BEST postcards are to be found here.  Tey inspire me to take fotos like thus one.  And not only do I also have a bad back, but an itchy one.  Bad backs are the result of out less than perfect adaptation to upright, as opposed to cuadripedal, posture.  A sloppy job of evolution!

21.09.20 Dare Val M. H.,  ..."Absolutely the BEST postcards are to be found here." So sez John M. Bennett & he oughta know as he's been around a long time & has seen it all & certainly has done his share in producing "interesting" & yet, habitual mailings in the world of mail art . I gladly support & agree with his commentary (but then--richard is forever jumping off of one bandwagon to hopping aboard another). .......Provocative too, Mister Bennett's observation about running around on all fours. My only question here is: how else are you gonna reach the apple hanging above your head? & then, one is apt to spot another apple then another & so it goes.  Yeah, I got quirks & pains all over too. SinCelery, Richard Canard

yess indeed, there is always an apple or a peach or a cricket juuuust out of reach.  but there are plenty of worms ti be found when one is on all fours.

TWO MORE FROM MIKEL UNTZILLA -- THANKS AGAIN!

1. Salon XV1, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris

"I don't know if it's the Salon number 16, or the Salon of Louis XV1, or neither or both", writes VMH from Salon 1 (3rd floor, straight on at the top of the stairs).

2. Le Théatre Français, Paris

Because of the Virus, the Théatre is closed until further notice.

TWO BORING POSTCARDS FROM THE NOT SO BORING BELGIAN CITY OF BRUGES (I've been there, and it's rather nice) FROM JEAN-PHILIPPE GILLIOT: thanks again J-P

Sent by 'Philippi (is that you, J-P?) and grandma and grandpa to Mieke Jacobs in Brachaat, Belgium -- in an envelope, 'cos there's no stamp on the card?

2.The Holy Cross Gate

The boringness of this is offset by the reflection of the Gate in the canal and the windmill

A FINAL FOUR BELGIAN BORING POSTCARDS FROM JEAN-PHILIPPE FGILLIOT - to whom thanks again

1. The Old Windmill, Knokke-Zout

During WW2 in Holland (and in Belgium as well?) the position of a windmill's 'sails' were often set in such a way as to provide information about what the occupying German forces were doing in the locality

2. The lake at Domaine de Niveze, Spa

Only the 2 ducks in the lake add any interest to this Boring Belguim Postcard.

3. Cloisters Abbaye de Maredsous

Some very good beers and a noT-so-bad cheese come from this Abbey

4. Museum of Wallon life, Liege

A former Franciscan Monastry, built in the 13th century, with the cloisters dating from the 17th century in which nothing much seems to happen here

The windmill postcard IS boring, but that tidbit about the sail position being used to transmit a message is very interesting.

I look at that image of the Holy Cross Gate contributed by Jean-Phillipe G. and see some weird giant coffee mug that's also reflected in the canal.

THREE MORE FROM KATERINA -- THANKS, THANKS, THANKS

1.  Arkansas: Wonder State -- Land of Opportunity

Did you know that the Motto of Arkansas is 'Regnat Populas' (or that all the Arkansa people understand Latin? It means 'Let the People Rule' -- tell that to Donald!): The State Flower is Apple Blossom; The State Bird is the Mocking Bird: the State Tree is the Shortleaf Pine; and that Arkansas was the 25th State admitted to the Union? All of this, and more, on the back of this Postcard.

2. Convention Centre, Portland, Oregon

Just across from the Portland Arena, the Convention Center has its very own Twin Towers

3. Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge, Cambridge, Mass

"Cambridge's most EXCITING (what's it doing in our Boring Postcards?!) motor lodge overlooking the Charles Rover between Harvard University and MIT. 16 story hotel with200 luxurious guest rooms, swimming pool, cocktail lounge and Red Coach Grill Restaurant."

FROM THE CELESTRIAL SCRIBE IN BRAZIL, FOUR POSTCARDS FROM LISBON, PORTUGAL

Thank you and Obrigado, Dear Scribe -- the cards took 5 weeks to arrive in France, but they did arrive safely

1.  Monument to the Discoveries

What 'Discoveries'?  Those of the Portuguese Age of Discoveries in the 15th and 16 the centuries.

2. Changing of the Guard at the Belém Palace

I am worried about the Guardsman on the right who looks like he might have dropped smoething. or perhaps his horse has...

3. National Coach Museum

"Wow! So much choice, José! Which one shall we buy?"

"A 2-door model with air-conditioning. OK?"

"That's fine with me. Can we order one in gold?"

4. A 2-door model with air-conditioning

"Do you like it?"

"It's fantastic, José! Wait 'till the kids see it."

28.09.20 Dare Mister Val M.H., ....in regards to the Arkansas postcard:  ....from my early youth onward & the habitually practice of reading the comic pages in the daily newspaper (Lil Abner of Dogpatch, U.S.A.) & watching "The Beverly Hillbillies" on t.v.....I in turn, assumed that Arkansas was the the mythical home of the "Yokums" & the "Clampetts" (& of course, all along ---  it could have of course, just as easily been my own home state of Nawf Karolinah).  Arkansas is also home to Walmart. Your commentary regarding  the  Latin term 'Regmat Populas' ("Let the people rule") & "tell that to Donald" is "right on target"( so to speak). My back yard neighbor (a retired businessman)  ( & over the backyard garden fence),   once explained to me that all sorts of  major corporations, etc. have a small  office in Bentonville, Arkansas...the reason has to do (of course) in dealing with Walmart. I think maybe  Sam Walton was(is) the real "Uncle Sam" as Walmart (so my neighbor sez ) tells all the other businesses what price Walmart will pay for their goods to be sold at Walmart (not the other usual  practice). Exactly the position that the Presidunce Trump sees for himself.  SinCelery, Richard Canard

Dear Amy Kiesslin,

Thank you.

From WikedPeedia:

In the Netherlands the stationary position of the sails, i.e. when the mill is not working, has long been used to give signals. If the blades are stopped in a "+" sign (3-6-9-12 o'clock), the windmill is open for business. When the blades are stopped in an "X" configuration, the windmill is closed or not functional. A slight tilt of the sails (top blade at 1 o'clock) signals joy, such as the birth of a healthy baby. A tilt of the blades to 11-2-5-8 o'clock signals mourning, or warning. It was used to signal the local region during Nazi operations in World War II, such as searches for Jews. Across the Netherlands, windmills were placed in mourning position in honor of the Dutch victims of the 2014 Malaysian shootdown"

If you Google 'Windmill sail signalling' then 'Images' 2nd in the 1st row is a set of 6 signalling windmills; the accompanying text is in Dutch, so you will probably need to Google Translate it (als uw niet Nederlands spreek).

Good luck, Val

Thanks Mr Duck,

In Darlington, England -- not to be confused for 1 minute with Bruce Springsteen's 'Darlington County', but the very same Kate Bush/Claire Hamill 'Alice in the Back Streets of Darlington' town -- where I was born and bread (with butter) the Council's motto is 'Optima Petamus', or 'Let us seek the best'. The town sought, but I don't think it found the best of whatever it is that it was looking for. They certainly didn't find a Walmart, but if they'd gone to Neasham Rd, Darlington, they'd have found an Asda superarket which is owned by the Walmart Corporation.

IT's INTERNATIONAL POSTCARD WEEK

Looks like the time to register and participate in International Postcard Week was in September? But that doesn't have to stop us from mailing postcard during this week to you, Val :-)

I would send you this very "boring" building on a postcard sent from Nikolas in Athens, BUT as you can see, it is an "arty-altered" postcard , so i fear the committee would not accept it?

'Tis the ol' Institut Francais in Athens, with a fine cafe, of course, in its interior garden. 'Been there many times, taking a break from busy visits to Kolonaki:

FOUR MORE FROM MIKEL UNTZILLA 66 THANKS YET AGAIN, MIKEL

1. Versailles Palace, France

A strange composition -- lots of nothing in the foreground, big bit of white nothingness on the right hand side, and not much of the Palais de Versailles

2. East Side of the Palais de Grand Trianon

Louis X1V built this Palace for his mistress the Marquise de Montespan who obviously needed a lot of rooms and  the big park in which it is set. Louis XV fell ill here. Louis XVI's wife Marie-Antoinette preferred the Petit Trianon, which is a bit, but only a bit petite-ier.

3. Hotel des Monnaies, Paris

The Paris Mint is here. (Note to tourists/visitors: not all 'hotels' in France are hotels where you can stay. Some are buildings like this, others are town halls, yet others are big houses. )

4.  Chengtu, China

This is a 'Bird's eye view of the centre district of Chengtu', which is now called 'Chengdu', and is the capital of the Chinese province of Sichuan, which, in 2010,  had almost 15 million inhabitants and at least one high-flying bird with a camera

ANOTHER TWO FROM KATERINA -- Thanks yet again, MomKat

1. State Game Lodge and Resort, S.D.

“The Summer White House” of Presidents Coolridge in 1927 and Eisenhower in 1953 Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.” Can anyone identify the three cars?

2. Madonna dell'Acebo, Bologna, Italy

'From Russia with Love”, says Katerina. The flowers look like Germaniums, and that I guess is what the writing on this Boring Postcard says.

CORRECT VERSION!! (sorry Katerina -- I got the images and the texts mixed up!)

ANOTHER TWO FROM KATERINA -- Thanks yet again, MomKat

1. State Game Lodge and Resort, S.D.

“The Summer White House” of Presidents Coolridge in 1927 and Eisenhower in 1953 Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.” Can anyone identify the three cars?

2. Geraniums?

'From Russia with Love”, says Katerina. The flowers look like Germaniums, and that I guess is what the writing on this Boring Postcard says.

1. State Game Lodge and Resort, S.D.

The first car (at left) is a 1970-72 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.  The next is a 1973-4 Mopar (Plymouth, Dodge), but the dark, third car is a Pontiac fleet car owned by the state of South Dakota.

Thanks Bradford! I'm really impressed.  That information makes the Postcard  either a bit more or a bit less Boring -- but I can't decide which. Val

THANKS TO HEIDI MONSTER FOR THIS 'NAVE LATERAL'

A lateral nave, but there is no indication as to where it is located. Any ideas?

"From Russia with Love"? Wow, that takes me back to some good old USSR times. The carnations bouquet pictured - would be hard to find any man in USSR area who has not, at one time or another, received this type of bouquet - very "manly" flowers and destined to be given to men oh holidays. Just as the sentiment reads "Happy Holiday", very generic, but hey, the men accepted and never complained :) Although the greenery makes it a bit more interesting. 

P.S. These types of bouquets were given to women, of course, as well, in extremely boring official situations. Thankfully, I have never received one, not sure what I would have done (not to the flowers, to the giver).

Yes, those are carnations (not "germaniums",not geraniums, either ).

In Greece, red carnations for the men...and women, too:

"Man with the carnation"  by Picasso,

This is Nikos Beloyiannis, hero in the resistance against the Nazi years in Greece, also during the Civil War that followed.