Both my wife and I have been waiting on stuff we ordered back at the beginning of January. Packages, parcels and letters have come and gone but 3 things were still outstanding.

Contacting the companies concerned, we were told by all of them that the goods were despatched in the first week of January.

One company luckily had a tracking number and, when they checked they were told that the parcel was at the local sorting office as it hadn't been delivered on the 9th due to the address being "inaccessible".

Well that would be the snow and I have no problem with the mail not managing to climb my snow covered north face of the Eiger-ish ploughed field to make a delivery.

However that was 12 days ago....

So where's my mail Mr Postman Pat?

This morning I went to the sorting office to check and, sure enough there were 3 parcels awaiting my good self.

All had been there a minimum of 10 days.

Now we come to the good bit.

Me: I take it they weren't delivered due to the snow?

Postman Pat: Yes mate (Why are we always 'mate?')

Me: So why haven't they been redelivered?

Postman Pat: Because you hadn't requested it.

Me: (Sharp intake of breath) Pardon?

Postman Pat: Because you hadn't requested redelivery

Me: But how could I request redelivery WHEN I WAS UNAWARE THAT THEY WERE HERE ? ? ?

Postman Pat: er...

Me: And what would have happened if I hadn't have discovered that the packages were here.

Postman Pat: They'd have been returned to sender as undeliverable.

Me: But you never TRIED to deliver them did you?

Postman Pat :Well we couldn't because of the snow

Me: But the snow melted days ago why not deliver them since then?

Are you ready for this?

Postman Pat : Because you hadn't asked for redelivery!

At this point I took my packages and, weeping softly, came home for a much needed cup of strong coffee.

So if you're awaiting possibly snowbound parcels take heed - you have been warned.