Friday 6 January 2012

Darcy's Postcard Challenge 2012

Here is my postcard for this week from Vienna, Austria
To see more pop over to Ms Darcy's.


The back of the postcard.




This is my book that all the postcards will be stored in.



The front pockets hold background information about the
two people who are writing to each other.



Lavina Loveday was blissfully married to Anthony Loveday just 3 months before the war started.
They planned to 'tour the world' together but the war had put paid to that.
They were apart for 6 years.
The end of the war was near, Anthony was in Japan so he would be there for a few months after VE day. Their tour would begin 3 months after he finally came home.The last letter Lavinia recieved came just 2 days before Anthony was due home.
Lavinia was so excited, she began to prepare for his home coming and their tour to Innsbruck in Austria which was their first 'port of call'. She went into the city to shop for the things they would need, she was very well connected and knew where she could find such things and money was no object.
Armed with parcels she made her way up the steps to their beautiful town house, as she opened the door someone called, "Mrs Loveday, a telegram for you." She woke to find her Doctor and her mother beside her, the telegram open on the floor.
Her handsome loving husband had been killed in battle.
Her world had just fallen apart.

The ticket arrived 9 weeks later, in 3 weeks, 3days and 6 hrs they should have been sitting together in Innsbruck planning what sights to see.
In 3 weeks, 3 days and 6 hours Lavinia was sitting exactly where her husband said they would be sitting but she was aloneLavinia had been home just three days when a parcel arrived. She knew exactly what was inside.
She ripped it open, Anthony's personal possessions stared up at her, she could smell the cologne he always wore. She reached out and touched the contents lovinly as she moved the top things she found Anthony's journal.
Lavinia knew he kept one but she had never seen inside it.
She put it on the table, made a pot of tea and sat and stared at it.
Suddenly she grabbed it, opened the leather cord that held it closed.
She heard a voice in her head saying "It's alright, read it."
She read the first page. Anthony had writen how much he loved her and how he wanted to spend the rest of his life with here and as she turned the pages she found lists of things he wanted from life, parties, children and all the places he wanted to take her to, some she was familiar with, some she had never heard of. Under each of the places were notes of what to visit, where to eat and which hotel to book.
A whole years worth of adventure they were going to spend doing together.
Only now she was alone.



Gilbert Brockman was an artist, he traveled around the world painting the wonderful sights each country had to offer.
His artwork took your breath away, he sold all his work as he finished it. The money then paid for his next trip. He was not a wealthy man but he was the kindest, happiest man you could wish to meet.
He would pack his brushes, paints, paper, easel and the few possessions he owned and take the train, boat or bus to his next destination.
It was while he was in Vienna at Christmas in 1949 he found the letter belonging to Lavinia Loveday, the letter moved him, he just had to return it to her, he just knew he had to.

19 comments:

Darcy Marshall said...

Ohh wow, so sad but full of hope, really beautiful.

Joanna said...

Oh that's so sad :o( Beautiful artwork, did you paint the postcard or alter one? Either way, you have achieved a brilliant effect.

WrightStuff said...

Ooh this is very intriguing but tinged with such sadness. I hope she finds happiness on her travels this year...

Tammy Freiborg said...

Such detail; great beginning!

Alison xx said...

Oh I can't wait to hear the rest now....good luck to Lavina. A xx

CRAFTY WOMBLE said...

I'm with Joanne, altered or hand done your postcard is fab. Looking forward to reading how the adventure unfolds
:)

donnalouiserodgers said...

aw sadddd story, so many people died,

and so sad that today we are still losing our young men to war,

thought provoking stuff,

dx

lorig said...

Great characters, great postcard, sad start to the story. I look forward to watching it unfold

Catie Cuddles said...

I type this with tears in my eyes hoping desperately that the next stage of her life will be good. Love the story and your artwork too.

Helen Jacobs-Grant said...

beautiful :)

Cynthia said...

Oh, I'm tearing up here. Looking forward to happy encounters for this loving lady. What a wonderful gift from her husband. Beautiful colors in your postcard too.

Claire said...

what a wonderful start to the journey, i'm fascinated
Claire xx

APG Jamie said...

love the art this is gonna be good

...

:-)

Maz said...

Gorgeous postcard. Such a sad story but a great start to a lovely story (I hope!). x

Eileen said...

This is so beautifully written!! I'm in awe of the stories I've read and I can't wait to read your next installment!

The Dolphin Inn said...

Awwww what a tragic start to the story and yet there is a glimmer of hope and adventure, cant wait to see the story develop, love the addition of your Edelweiss on the front of the postcard and your book looks fab too ( I still haven't completed my book )xxx

Karen Isaacson said...

you've set the stage so beautifully. How will she track down her "stranger" to thank him? I'll have to tune in next week!

Jackie Humphreys said...

Such a beautiful story, I look forward to it carrying on.

Jen said...

Late joining in so playing catch up, such a moving story line, sad but hopes of a new beginning. Like the postcard.
Jen x