As you can see from the front of the postcard, this is a photo of the Auld Bridge in Ellon. Built in 1793, the bridge is category A listed and still used as a pedestrian bridge. Ellon is a commuter community north of Aberdeen that also hosts the remains of Ellon Castle. The river Ythan runs under that bridge and through the town of nearly 10,000 people.
Here's a photo of Ellon Castle - just for fun:
Here's what the bridge looks like today taken from the other side - note the buildings on the right in this photo are the ones to the left of the bridge in the other (care of Google StreetView):
The reverse side of the postcard reads: "DJ Thanks very much for PPC. Glad to hear you arrived home all save. I am feeling the effects of the granite too. Nellie." It is postmarked March 3, 1910 from Aberdeen. I presume PPC is "Picture Post Card," though most frequently people have been shortening it to PC. But that last line is a bit of a question mark for me. I can only speculate, but I have to think that Jack had gone to Aberdeen (the Granite City) to visit Nellie and perhaps they had gone to the quarry? Or if someone from the area has a better explanation, I'd love to hear it.
Jack was still in Scotland at this time, but preparing to head to Canada. A visit (or several) to his fiancé would make sense.
I hadn't really thought of it before, but Jack and Nellie hung onto these postcards for a reason (or two). My Great-Uncle Jim, the last time I saw him, told me that they used to have these postcards in a big album on the coffee table in the living room - their own picture book. I'm sure they were wonderful visual reminders of the home they had left forever, but also of that sweet time in a couple's existence: courtship.
Feeling the effects of the granite may perhaps just mean she was feeling the effects of being in the Granite City.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's what I was thinking.
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