Long way round to collect a small parcel

IF you’re thinking of sending a present by registered post this Christmas, think again. I received a note through the letterbox saying a parcel had arrived for me, but I would have to collect it on the south side of Cork city.

My nearest post office is in the city centre and I had to pass two others on my way. There were no directions on the note and the phone was engaged.

I eventually found myself in an industrial estate on the far side of a motorway. After walking for 50 minutes I found the place and had to queue behind five others. On the wall was a pious mission statement about good service which must have been written by a saint — or someone with a black sense of humour.