259. Postcards

I am almost certain that I sent my grandmother a postcard from every holiday I went on between 1997 and 2010. Poor woman, probably got really bored of them. But for me, sitting with a coffee (or glass of wine) somewhere peaceful for half an hour writing postcards, then working out how to say 'stamps for England, please in whatever language - is a ritual part of any holiday.  Since my granny died I have been sending postcards to the youngest member of my extended family - baby BF. She can't read yet but when she can she'll have a good fat postbag to get through.

I also use postcards to send little notes throughout the year. They're great for thank yous, or just to say hello without anything digital having to bestir itself. Have you noticed that daily life no longer requires any actual physical writing any more? But a postcard is a good excuse to put pen to paper.

And then there's receiving postcards. That's always fun. I have a particular soft spot for those sent by Herself's mother, who specialises in missives from exotic, far-flung locations that simply read 'It's raining today', or 'It's nice here'.

I suppose postcards are just a simple, time-honoured way of letting somebody know that you're thinking of them. Wish you were here.