RU-6558506 Church of the Resurrection, Kostroma, Russia

The Church of the Resurrection is a Russian Orthodox church located next to the bridge across the Volga River in the city of Kostroma, Russia.  It is one of the most beautiful buildings of the city, this multi-domed Church of the Resurrection (1651). This is the only surviving church in Kostroma of the XVII century. It gives the impression of lightness, elegance and gaiety. It is built of bricks and decorated with carved white limestone. Its walls are painted in bright colours of a chequered pattern. 

At the entrance to the Holy Gate, a visitor would be welcomed by creatures (some of which are mythological) : the lion - the symbol of strength, the unicorn - the symbol of chastity, the pelican - the symbol of immortality and resurrection, Alkonost (the bird of paradise with human head) - the symbol of righteousness. The interior of the cathedral is beautifully decorated with 17th-century frescoes. The bright rich colours make this temple the jewel of Kostroma. (source:baranovna.narod.ru)

This postcard came from Polina from Moscow (Postcrossing, 29 June 2018)

US-5370794 University of Tennessee Arboretum

The University of Tennessee Arboretum covers 250 acres in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. It is a research and educational arboretum operated by the University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station. It is open to the public without charge.

The arboretum contains approximately 2,500 native and exotic woody plant specimens, representing 800 species, varieties, and cultivars, with good collections of azaleas, conifers, crab apples, dogwoods, hollies, junipers, magnolias, oaks, rhododendrons, and viburnums. It also includes geographic groupings of plants from both relatively nearby habitats (Cumberland River gorge, Southern United States coastal plains) and elsewhere in the world (California, central China, and Poland), as well as four nature trails with interpretive signs. (Source: Wikipedia)

This postcard came from Scott (Postcrossing, 19 June 2018) who also wrote me a very interesting letter.  The postcard shows the Arboretum in winter.

Scott has also stamped on the back of the postcard an ink stamp of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park.

NO-163084 Eidsborg Stave Church, Norway

Eidsborg Stave Church (Norwegian: Eidsborg stavkyrkje) is a stave church in Tokke, Telemark county, Norway.

Eidsborg Stave Church is one of the best preserved Norwegian stave churches. Eidsborg Stave Church is located next to the Vest-Telemark Museum in Eidsborg.

The church is estimated to date to between 1250-1300. The church is dedicated to the traveller's patron, St. Nicholas of Bari. It was partly reconstructed in the 19th century. The chorus was demolished in 1826. The new choir dates to the period 1845-50. The reconstruction work did not affect the structure or the shape of the church. It was restored in 1927 when painted figures and ornaments dating from the Renaissance and old murals from the 17th century were revealed. [Wikipedia]

This beautiful postcard showing the Church covered with snow came from Grethe (Postcrossing, May 2018).

Personal Note: In 2009, we visited Norway (as part of our Sweden, Denmark, Norway tour) and we went into two different Stave Churches.  I love the atmosphere in these churches.

RU-5830175 Church of the Savior on Blood, St, Petersburg, Russia

This drawing of the Church of the Savior on Blood (or Spilled Blood) came from Olga (16 August 2017). It shows the church in wintertime.

The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood (Russian: Церковь Спаса на Крови, Tserkovʹ Spasa na Krovi) is one of the main sights of St. Petersburg, Russia. 
This church was built on the site where Emperor Alexander II was fatally wounded in March 1881.The church was built between 1883 and 1907. 
It has been restored in recent times but the church is not consecrated and no religious services (except memorial service for the tsar) are held in this church.

CA-736784 Autumn and Winter scenes of Montreal, Canada

This lovely postcard shows autumn and winter scenes of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Montreal officially Montréal is the most populous municipality in the province of Quebec and the second-most populous in Canada. The city has a distinct four-season continental climate, with warm-to-hot summers and cold, snowy winters.
Legally a French-speaking city, 60.5% of Montrealers speak French at home, 21.2% speak English and 19.8% speak neither. Montreal is one of the most bilingual cities in Quebec and Canada.
Historically the commercial capital of Canada, it was surpassed in population and economic strength by Toronto in the 1970s. It remains an important centre of commerce, aerospace, finance, pharmaceuticals, technology, design, education, culture, tourism, gaming, film and world affairs.
It is on my bucket list of places to visit.
Thanks to Shelley (27 July 2017) for this great postcard. 

NZ-168480 Winter farming in the Canterbury Plains, South Island, New Zealand

This postcard showing a wintry scene came from Jannelee (14 July 2017). The postcard depicts sheep farming in the Canterbury Plains with Mount Hutt in the background.
The Canterbury Plains are centred to the south of the city of Christchurch located in the South Island of New Zealand.  Mount Hutt rises to the west of the Canterbury Plains.

JP-850123 Ninna-ji (仁和寺) temple (Kyoto, Japan) in winter

Ninna-ji (仁和寺) is the head temple of the Omuro school of the Shingon Sect of Buddhism. The temple is located in western Kyoto, Japan. Ninna-ji was founded in AD 888 by the retired Emperor Uda. It is part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto", a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This postcard showing the part of the temple in winter time came from Tamami (29 July 2016) Postcrossing.

CZ-936733 Les Království - Forest Kingdom - a dam in the Czech Republic

Les Království translated as Forest Kingdom is a valley dam on the river Elbe (in the Czech Republic) which was built in 1920. The left bank of the river borders an old forest from which the dam got its name. 

After the devastating flood of 1897 , which hit the valley of the Elbe to Pardubice, it was decided to build two dams one at Spindleruv Mlyn and the other at Těšnov (the current Forest Kingdom dam) in order to contain potential flood waters.

These days, the Forest Kingdom dam is a popular tourist destination.  From 2010, it was listed as a National Monument.  The reason for the popularity of the dam is that the entire complex of buildings was built in a Romantic, pseudo-Gothic style.  The crest of the dam is complemented by two gates with decorative turrets.  Hrázného house, standing nearby, on the right bank, resembles a small stone castle with dominant tower with battlements .  

This postcard came from Dana (8 July 2016) Postcrossing.

Winter in Russia RU-3582675 RU-3626544 RU-3839702 RU-3920083 RU-4027660 RU-

My latest postcard of winter in Russia came from Anya of Moscow (RU-4949872).  This postcard has white silhouettes of a girl and a crane and that is very intriguing.  Perhaps this is about a folk tale of winter in Russia?

*****
















Earlier notes:
Siberia in Russia is a very large area and so its climate varies dramatically.  All of it however has basically short summers and long cold winters.  Almost all the population of Siberia lives in the south along the Trans-Siberian Railway.

The first postcard came from Tomsk which is in the South. The climate in this southern part is humid continental climate with cold winters but fairly warm summers. The January average temperature in this part of Siberia is about −20 °C (−4 °F) .

Labelled “From Siberia with Snow Love”, this postcard came from Svetlana (15 April 2015) Postcrossing.

The second postcard came "with greetings from cold and snow(y) Siberia" and was sent by  Анастасия (8 June 2015) Postcrossing.  I could not identify the castle in the postcard so I have put the postcard under "Winter".

This third postcard does not indicate where the locality is.  It came from Dmitry (15 August 2015) Postcrossing.
The fourth postcard is another winter scene.  It came from Anna (27 August 2015) Postcrossing.
The fifth postcard of winter is from Polina (16 October 2015) Postcrossing and the sixth winter postcard came from (15 October 2015) Postcrossing.

CN-1549125 Early Winter in China 小寒 - 月初寒尚小

This postcard shows the period of 小寒 [xiǎohán].  This refers to the period of the Lesser Cold (which is the 23rd solar term of the 24 solar terms).

On the postcard are the following:

月初寒尚小  “Early winter is just starting”

雁北向 “The geese heads north”

鹊始巢 “The sparrows build their nests”

雉始雊 “The pheasants begin to crow”

This postcard of winter in China came from Meiqi (Postcrossing).

FI-2336084 Koli National Park in winter

Koli National Park (Kolin kansallispuisto) is a national park in the North Karelia region of Finland. It covers 30 square kilometres (12 sq mi) in the forested hills on the western shore of lake Pielinen and was established in 1991.

Koli has lots to offer cultural heritage-wise. Formerly, it was a sacrificial site. Later it was used for slash-and-burn agriculture. The aim of Koli National Park is not to reserve wild nature but rather traditional agricultural heritage. In Koli, some fields are slashed, burnt and re-cultivated and hay is cut yearly. Traditional Finnish breeds of cows and sheep graze in the meadows of Koli.

The most well-known vantage point in the park is Ukko-Koli, with a grand view to the East, over the lake Pielinen. Near the top there's the Heritage Center Ukko and Hotel Koli.

This beautiful winter scene of Koli National Park taken from Ukko-Koli came from Heidi (Postcrossing). In Finnish there are many words for snow and the word  “Tykkylunta” on the back of the postcard means “snow on trees”.

LV-175648 Winter in Latvia

According to a website (http://www.latvia.travel), winters in Latvia can be summed up as : Fluffy snow, bright sunshine without freezing cold.  This is true for the most part and winter comes to Latvia usually in mid-December and last till mid-March.

But it is worth noting that the weather conditions in winter can change – even though the average temperature in winter is around – 6°C, the cold can reach to even – 30°C, and conversely, spring-like warm weather can set in, with the temperature staying above zero.

So, even if the climate in Latvia is not too harsh, in winter it is advisable to have warmer clothes, a hat and gloves. In recent years winter has indulged Latvia with a thick and stable layer of snow, allowing winter joys (ice fishing, skiing, skating) to be enjoyed in full.

This postcard came from Liga (5 February 2015) Postcrossing.

US-3181867 Winter in Kentucky

Because of its central U.S. location, the weather in Kentucky is typically mild and moderate throughout the year.

The state experiences all four distinct seasons, with warm summers and moderately cold winters. The daytime temperature during the summer averages 87 degrees. Conversely, the winter lows average around 23 degrees.

However, from a website entitled “Winter in Kentucky” I found these precipitation records :

Snowfall: 13.4 inches, Jan. 27, 1943.

Snow depth: 14 inches, 1978, 1917.
Also notable: 1978 snow depth, Jan 18-24: 12 inches, 11 inches, 14 inches, 14 inches, 14 inches, 11 inches, 8 inches.
Other big snow/cold messes:
Snowfall: Jan. 17, 1994: 10 inches; Feb. 4, 1998: 11 inches.
Snow depth (cumulative): Jan. 8, 12-13, 1996: 12 inches; Jan. 20-22, 14 inches; Feb. 7, 1998: 17 inches.
High temperature in January: 80 degrees on Jan. 24, 1943.
High temperature in February: 80 on Feb. 23, 1996.
Low temperature in January: -21 degrees, Jan. 24, 1963.
Low temperature in February: -20 degrees, 1899.
So to conclude  - winter in Kenctucky is mild except when it gets extreme   :-) 

This postcard came from Sarah (29 January 2015) Postcrossing.

LT-410167 Winter in Lithuania

The climate of the Lithuania can be described as typical European continental influenced climate with warm, dry summers and fairly severe winters. January is the coldest month with daytime temperatures usually around -5°C, but in some cases winter months can be quite colder with temperatures about -20°C or lower and strong, cold northeasterly winds. Heavy snowfall or even snowstorms are also possible on some days. The weather is often breezy and humid due to the proximity of the Baltic Sea.

This lovely winter scene of trees covered with snow came from Kristina (20 January 2015) Postcrossing.

SW CL-208 Winter in Ukraine

This postcard is similar to the one in the post on the Ukrainian Carpathians #2. I received this postcard from Mierna on 7 August 2014 Swap-bot.

The structure shown on the postcard is a traditional wooden hut called a Kolyba.  Mierna said that when a guest uses this type of hut (even when the host is not around) it is proper to stock up all supplies or firewood used.

 

NL-2579455 NL-2781222 NL-3208242 Winter in The Netherlands

These three wintry scenes are on three postcards from the Netherlands.
The first one came from Britt (12 December 2014) Postcrossing.

#2
I like several things on postcards and this second postcard has two of my favourite things - windmills and snow.  This postcard came from Anne (22 July 2014) Postcrossing.





This third postcard of a wintry Netherlands came from Gerda (9 November 2015).  She also affixed two great stamps - one of a church and the other of the ICE train.

FI-2149475 FI-2271457 SW EW-451 Winter in Finland (2)

These are my second, third and fourth postcard of winter in Finland.  To see the first (and fifth) postcards go to this post: FI-2030324 Winter in Finland.

During January and February, there is almost always snow in northern and eastern Finland. Even if there’s little snow in Helsinki, there’s often up to a metre or more on the slopes in Lapland. 

The snow season in northern Finland begins in November and lasts at least until May. In the inland regions of southern and central Finland, the first snow falls at the beginning of December and melts during late March and April.

The second winter postcard came from Jarno (22 July 2014) Postcrossing, the third winter postcard came from Marika (.23 January 2015) Postcrossing and the fourth postcard is from Sari V. (Tuutis) (6 February 2015) Swap-bot.

SW AB-043 & CY-237-2 Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Moraine Lake is in Alberta, Canada.  It is a glacially-fed lake in Banff National Park, 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) outside the Village of Lake Louise.  It is situated in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, at an elevation of approximately 6,183 feet (1,885 m). At this elevation, the lake remains frozen into the month of June and does not reach its crest until mid to late July.  Once the glacier water starts to run it brings with it rock flour or silt. This is what the light reflects off to give the lake its stunning deep blue colour. The lake has a surface area of 0.5 square kilometres (0.19 sq mi).

There are several trails around the lake that range from casual walks to more strenuous hikes. Due to bear activity some of the trails have seasonal restrictions to maximize safety. Hikers must travel in a tight group of four or more. Occasionally trails may be closed off completely.  The Rockpile Trail is the one most commonly taken by tourists.  It runs along the actual moraine and is approximately 300 metres long, with an elevation change of 24 metres (79 ft). The view of the lake from the top of the rockpile is one of the most photographed locations in all of Canada. That view of the mountains behind the lake in Valley of the Ten Peaks is known as the Twenty Dollar View, as Moraine Lake was featured on the reverse side of the 1969 and 1979 issues of the Canadian twenty dollar bill.

 

Moraine Lake is only half the size of its nearby neighbour Lake Louise, but perhaps even more scenic.

These three beautiful postcards came from (1) Sarah K. (blubutterfly) 15 April 2014 Swap-bot, (2) Maxine K (simcoe54) 20 August 2014 Swap-bot and (3) Sarah M. 7 July 2015 Swap-bot.