No surprises – I knew what was in the next box. Although after boasting about my decluttering skills, you’ll perhaps be surprised to find that I’ve kept EVERY SINGLE POSTCARD I’VE EVER BEEN SENT. Here they are.

How to write about them? I didn’t want to risk anyone’s wrath by displaying ‘their’ card but then I discovered cards I’d sent so I’ve chosen a couple of those.

1972 – A card to my parents from Townsend Thoresen ferries.

Working on the ferries – Southampton to Le Havre and Cherbourg – was the best paid summer job for students. It was also a real eye-opener. I could write a whole blog of stories from below deck!

On every return crossing crew could buy 100 cigarettes and a half bottle of spirits at super low prices. With two return trips each shift you needed serious willpower not to develop into a chain smoking alcoholic.

On some shifts we were allowed ashore in France. My employment was brought to a speedy end when the company discovered that I was swanning around French ports without a passport. Not because I’d left it at home, but because I didn’t own one. Who knew you needed one of those? Not this university student……

And yes, I know that technically this isn’t a card sent to me. Sorry!

1978 A card to myself

California College of Podiatric Medicine sent me, along with three podiatrists to organise the interviews for East Coast students wanting to study in California. It was my first trip to New York.

Oh my goodness. I fell instantly in love with the city. Between interview sessions I bravely – as I thought, because the city was more edgy then than it is now – set off to visit every NY site I possibly could and was excited enough to send myself a few postcards.

New York felt so much more connected to the rest of the world than dreamy California and that made me feel very homesick. So, what the hell. Freddie Laker was in full swing and I was halfway home. I sent the podiatrists back without me, made my way to JFK and bought a ridiculously priced ticket to the UK. Just for a few days.

1980 – goodbye San Francisco

When I left San Francisco the adorable T asked me to leave a little bit of my heart. I did just that and am using her postcard to link to my:

Final postcard reveal

Several years ago P, another San Franciscan friend started sending a postcard every week. It was a delightful way (for me as the recipient anyway) to keep in touch. Those cards have their own box and when I started to lay them out to photograph them I could barely find a space big enough. There’s 300+

The cards stopped at some point. I guess they were bound to. But if you’re reading this PC, there’s room in the box for more!