Freddie was barking downstairs. That's Freddie the dog I must make clear. He is a wonder at ensuring no-one approaches the door, the back yard, or even passes the front of the house and has the audacity to linger for a moment without Freddie warning them of his presence.
Just after noon he was at it. With the folks downstairs being at work I looked out to see if it was the postman. In fact it was the parcel postman, Zac, who had parked at our door, indicating a delivery for the new neighbour.
Over the three years she dwelt in No 5, I became quite used to receiving packets for Angelika. The new lass is now doing the same thing, also without mentioning things are arriving. I wondered what kind of people they would be, it appears to be two young women, but I only ever see one, and I asked one of the Kirk to pray about the neighbours. The next evening she knocked on my door and presented me with a couple of cakes. It appears the agent had not bothered to explain where the electric meters are, nor I suspect many other things. However, politely refusing the cakes while not returning them I indicated what she must do. All heart me, and all heart and fattened arteries also now.
Anyway, a box arrived and I took it in. Zac knew I would anyway, and he chatted re the joy of Royal Mail. After a year or more of strikes, now resolved, little has changed. All that has been done is to push any further squabbles into the future for Labour to handle badly.
I enquired re the second, bent and twisted birthday card, that came through the door the other day. He indicated a young postman, one who has been around for three years or so, is quite useless, and even when put on difficult 'walks' continues to be useless, but will not resign. It appears he does not have the dedication to the job that is required. Clearly subtle tactics have been used, but subtlety is not for this young man, it may be an idea to make him a manager!
Roger, the proper postman, is off sick. This makes little difference as he has spent much of the time on the 'walk' off sick. The young lad is doing it now, possibly regularly, possibly only occasionally. Even Roger was better than this.
I have some good memories as a postman. The majority of the men were good to work with, there was little strife, only occasional outbursts. This is good among 100 or so men. I trusted them all, never expecting any to be found stealing, though one or two avoided some work. The banter, usually racist in my opinion, against me I still miss. I of course never said anything to upset them. When retired the work can be missed, the banter with good men is always missed.
Trying a new exercise regime this week. The pain appears to indicate it is working. At least that is what they all say. I'm not so sure myself. Losing weight, eating better, exercising differently, all will go into making me a super 11 stone muscle bound hunk, well, in a month or so I will certainly be a hunk, or is that hulk?
2 comments:
I hope you are suitably grateful to Freddie for guarding you against paper bags, cars backfiring, leaves blown in a high wind and other risks too awful to contemplate.
We always seemed to have good postmen when in the U.K. and in France as well. Our first one there was guardian to several elderly people who trusted him more than their families and as his duties in their respect usually involved a glass or two the post generally arrived in late afternoon. Our post lady was the ultimate authority on local gossip, also taught me how to make madeleine biscuits, and always visited those living on their own whether or not they had post, which did not please her new broom boss who was told where to insert said broom.
Since the Covid business the postmen rarely come out of their lair here, but all are charming when you go in to collect the post that they have 'phoned to tell you is in their hands.They also take in parcels for DHL and articles which Jose is dropping off for Esteban when he next drops by, none of which attract fees.
Fly, Freddie protected us from a 7 yr old who stepped onto our path this morning. His bark did make him jump! Regular posties often do similar here, but under this maangement such are not always found. Many walks only have postmen on overtime filling in!
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