h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

When it's a letter, according to the Post Office...

I took a parcel to the Post Office this afternoon and asked for the price to New Zealand. It weighed just under 1100g.

"£10.84" was the reply. "Is there a letter in it?"

I said that there was - just a small note from a mother to a son, explaining that the little booties for his latest arrival had been sent by a friend, the cardigan had been knitted by a work colleague and the two little dresses were for the little girls to wear to the Christening all those thousands of miles away.

Actually, I just told her it was a small note, as she didn't need the detail.

"Oh, in that case, could I suggest that you retrieve the letter and send it separately?"

"Why would I want to do that?" I asked, puzzled.

"Because otherwise it classes as correspondence and I have to charge you letter rate, which is £24.32."

I smiled. "Is that for real?"

"Yes".

I then proceded to ask how on earth anybody would know there was a piece of paper in amongst a bunch of clothes and polystyrene - "Well if they open it..."

I'd heard enough. I'm ashamed to admit that I did retrieve the letter and send it separately, as I did not want to risk the parcel not arriving in time or the recipient being landed with an additional charge.

Am I going mad?

Can any of our international friends enlighten me as to whether we Brits are alone in our lunacy?

Stop the world - I want to get off!

JT

I didn't know we brits had this flavour of lunacy at all!

You've obviously never heard of bah bah rainbow sheep.

Sorry to hear that JT. Have a nice cuppa to compensate.

Thanks, but had a couple of s instead.

On the plus side though, having mailed it late Friday afternoon, it was delivered in NZ last night!

Well done Parcelforce!

JT

Aaaah...

Parcelforce explains everything!

Or Parcel Farce, as we sometimes call them.

JT

Perhaps it would have been cheaper if you'd just delivered the parcel,personally !

I would have loved to, but we're not due to go out there again until next Christmas!

Good to hear from you Pinky!

JT

Why thankyou Jinjer,it's very kind of you to say so.Shame about the trip not being until next year though,it would have saved fortunes.You just can't win sometimes can you ?

Can't complain, having been to NZ 3 times in 3 years!

Fantastic place - wouldn't mind living there some day.

You should go if you get the chance (unless you've already done so).

JT

Or indeed if you've already been.

I do believe it is a fantastic place,I have family over there,Auckland.Funnily enough,I have to post their Xmas cards ,tomorrow,I'll keep you informed of the postage costs hahahaha

Whereabouts in Auckland?

Our folks are in Dannemora to the southeast of the city, having moved from the Sandringham area, where Mount Albert Road meets Dominion Road.

Thanks for the grammar lesson Tony!

JT

No no, wasn't a grammar lesson Tom, merely saying even if you have already been, you should probably go again! From what you say of it anyhow.

Ahah! Getcha drift!

Yes - definitely, although it does mean I haven't been many other places in the last few years.

JT

Hi JT,sorry I haven't replied earlier x The place in Auckland where my family are, is called Farona.I have no idea where it's near too etc...(Still haven't posted the Xmas cards yet either )Hope your well ?