COVER N.169 - GREECE

Postmark: Illegible 02.09.2022  
Posted on the 2nd September; received on the 13th October 2022
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Bonds, connections, relations... this is what our gregarious nature pushes us into, no matter how self-absorbed or even misanthropic one is.

I find that the internet has multiplied the effect by an exponential factor, because not only it makes it so easy to get in touch, contact, talk to or even see the other at the end of the phrase but also because it does all this without the need for that discomforting reality that impacts especially on those of a more timid or less sociable extraction: physical presence. Hence the thousands and millions of friends, followers, admirers that some like to boast of and which so many times are but the expression of intellectual idleness; relational void.

Common ground is a safe harbour for all though. and bulding on common interest is, in my humble point of view,  as I think I have already elaborated once on these unpretentious pages, a step forward towards eliminating the absurd that leads to such horrific situations as we continue to hear about upon turning on the TV at news time.

For a year or so, I have been a  member of a cover circuit club and I couldn't have been more happy for having enrolled. I've been fulfilling my duties and like other members I take real pleasure in forwarding the circuits I receive and waiting in anticipation for the next cover to reach my letterbox.

But things are beginning to escalate, I find. Thankfully. not as in the absurd and unjustifiable conflict that rages upon Europe's Eastern door but in the way that Humans are supposed to do it: by creating bonds, connections, relations...

Thank you George, for your nice envelope and for all those nice covers sent out of circuit context. Truly appreciated!

Stamps, left to right

On 14OCT2010, ELTA, the Hellenic Post, issued a 10 stamp set dedicated to the Greek Islands, each stamp (0,02; 0,05; 0,20; 0,40; 0,50; 1; 2; 4; green and red tariffs) being illustrated with a photo of a landmark of the island it meant to showcase. The 0,50€ stamp on my cover is dedicated to the island of  Skyros.

On 04JUN2013 ELTA issued a set of 5 stamps (0,05; 0,30; 0,47; 2x A tariff)  dedicated to sailing tourism, and illustrated with photos of sailing yachts. 

The Isthmus of Corinth connects the Peleponese peninsula to the Greek mainland. To make it possible to navigate from one side of the peninsula to the other without having to follow the coast line all along its perimeter a canal was opened in 1893, thus effectively transforming the Peloponnese into an island. 

Celebrating the 120th anniversary of the canal opening, Greek Post issued the  0,05€ stamp on my cover on 17FEB2014 illustrated with the image of painting that I presume depicts inauguration day, by the festive look of the participating ships.

a 10 stamp definitive set dedicated to Greek marine fauna was issued on 21FEB2012.  With 0,02; 0,03; 0,05; 0,20; 0,35; 0,50; 1; 3€  and 20 g domestic and 20 g international denominations. The 0,50 stamp on my cover  is illustrated with a photo of a Common Dentex (Dentex dentex) a common sight in the Mediterranean, Eastern Atlantic and Black sea, which is classified as vulnerable