Cyprus stamps UEFA 2012 - a disaster or not?

I received this comment today from one of my regular Cyprus stamp collectors and wonder what other collectors and those with thematic interests think of the latest issue to celebrate the 2012 UEFA European Cup?

Comment:

From: John W (Mon 26th Mar 2012 at 16:20)

Hello Michele. Many thanks indeed for the new issues that arrived this morning, Tuesday 26. The London Olympics stamps are very nice but oh dear! the UEFA sheet is something of a disaster. I wonder if any other club members have an opinion on this?

Kind Regards,

John
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Hi John
Well I'm pleased to hear your order arrived safely but sadly I can't fix the design of the UEFA mini sheet for you :-)
The only saving grace really is the quite cleverly embedded round stamp which features the football boot resting on the ball with the price of the stamp on the inner edge of the football boot.
But, we feel neither of the stamp issues were particularly adventurous given the theme. They could have done so much more with them....
I may just have to share your comment in my regular social networks and see if anyone else has a view on it!

Kind regards
Michele (Cyprus Stamps) 

The "offending" stamp is below or you can view both of the new stamp issues (2012 London Olympic Games and 2012 UEFA European Cup) on Cyprus Stamps website:

John W's not so favourite stamp!

The Cancellation mark

Enlarged image of the embedded stamp within the mini sheet

 

Malta Buses on Maximum Cards

On a recent visit to Malta which is just over 2 hours flying time from our home on the island of Cyprus, we came across a collection of postcards to celebrate the traditional Maltese buses.

Sadly, the buses are no longer used in Malta since the summer of 2011 when they were withdrawn and replaced by the modern Arriva buses. Unfortunately, these "new" buses make the journey time longer as they are much bigger and can't follow the same routes as before plus they are not so much fun....

We picked up a selection of the cards and some of the stamps, some of which you will find on Cyprus Stamps website and also in our eBay auction listings.

The difference between the old and the new? Well, see for yourselves - there's really no comparison....

The above 2 images, more details and other people's comments about the Arriva buses in Malta can be found on the WordPress blog: Malta: Moving on, up and away

Larnaca Airport Post Office

Not everyone knows there is a post office at Larnaca airport....

Here are the photos to prove it. We took them last Sunday 26th February before we checked in for our Emirates flight to Malta.

Lucky for us, the weather in Malta appeared to be much improved over that in Cyprus during our short break. Snow in Limassol - unheard of!