Alentejo Our trip through the country now takes us to the Alentejo, where our view extends over the endless expanses of cork and holm oaks: the “montado” without which the Alentejo pig would not exist. Its rustic nature allows it to survive in extreme weather conditions, while in the mountain range its meat gains flavour from the Acorn. This is the raw material that is the basis of the undisputed quality of the blood sausages, bagged sausages and smoked hams of the Alentejo.

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published April 11th, 2013

“Three things are beyond me;
four I cannot fathom:
How a Vulture makes its way over the sky…”

The Griffon Vulture, the Bearded Vulture, the Lappet-faced Vulture and the Egyptian Vulture are all scavengers which have been making their mark on the Israeli landscape since biblical times. The Vulture is mentioned 28 times in the Bible and it served as an ancient symbol of royalty both in Mesopotamia and in Egypt during the time of the Pharaohs. Anyone who has seen flocks of vultures soaring along the top of a cliff in the Golan Heights, the Judean Desert or the Negev Desert cannot help but be impressed by their strength and beauty. Maimonides was known as “The Great Vulture” and for good reason. These birds played an exceedingly important role as “nature’s orderlies” within the food chain, preventing the spread of disease and plague, thus ancient peoples treated them with great respect.

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published April 10th, 2013

Falconry is the hunting of wild quarry in its natural state and habitat by means of a trained bird of prey. There are two traditional terms used to describe a person involved in falconry: a falconer flies a falcon; an austringer (German origin) flies a hawk (Accipiter and some buteos and similar) or an eagle (Aquila or similar).

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published April 9th, 2013

“Three things are beyond me;
four I cannot fathom:
How a Vulture makes its way over the sky…”

The Griffon Vulture, the Bearded Vulture, the Lappet-faced Vulture and the Egyptian Vulture are all scavengers which have been making their mark on the Israeli landscape since biblical times. The Vulture is mentioned 28 times in the Bible and it served as an ancient symbol of royalty both in Mesopotamia and in Egypt during the time of the Pharaohs. Anyone who has seen flocks of vultures soaring along the top of a cliff in the Golan Heights, the Judean Desert or the Negev Desert cannot help but be impressed by their strength and beauty. Maimonides was known as “The Great Vulture” and for good reason. These birds played an exceedingly important role as “nature’s orderlies” within the food chain, preventing the spread of disease and plague, thus ancient peoples treated them with great respect. (read more)

published April 8th, 2013

43 Squadron ‘Gloria Finis’ 43 Squadron was formed in 1916 as part of the Royal Flying Corps. It saw distinguished service during two world wars, producing numerous ‘Aces”. 

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published March 31st, 2013

While fire fighting has traditionally been at the forefront of their work, the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service’s role has expanded considerably since its establishment in April 1965. T

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published March 30th, 2013

Many Ålanders associate the name Ålandsfärjan with the ship servicing between Mariehamn and Kapellskär 1987-2008.

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published March 29th, 2013

 Collection Pack Plus are issued with every set of stamps (5 times a year).

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published March 24th, 2013

A stamp is being issued by post Danmark and posta Faroe islands to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of søren Kierkegaard.

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published March 23rd, 2013

The actual Automobile Age in Iceland began in 1913 when the first Ford T car came to Iceland. The stamps depict four old automobiles.

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published March 22nd, 2013

Count Henry of Luxembourg was elected King of the Romans in 1308. Reinstating a tradition which had been interrupted for the previous 100 years, he departed two years later for Italy to be crowned Emperor in Rome.

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published March 17th, 2013