Most Home’s have a letterbox of some description and as a postie I have come across many different and unique designs. However, what makes some householders believe in not identifying their homes? Guessing a house number or name is wrong. Mail can go to the wrong customer, emergency services can waste valuable minutes trying to determine which Home or owner needs assistance, deliveries of any kind can be delayed or not delivered and visitors may wander around and thus miss the start of a party.

Placing a simple piece of paper in the window or on the door as a temporary fix whilst choosing a more pleasing design is fine. Think how annoying it would be if the Councils didn’t put up sign posts or street names and you had to guess. When you go shopping and there are no price labels on goods or aisles aren’t identified then see how many complain or have to ask. I guess it’s like the car drivers who use the roads with faulty indicators (😏😏) or who just can’t be arsed to use them to inform other road users but bleat when they are cut up or cause an accident when it was their own stupid actions that caused the incident in the first place. No thought for others.

Now as for letterboxes. On the whole most are quite acceptable but any postie will tell you that there are many that fall very short of this mark. Why place a box at the bottom of at door? Okay, there maybe a fancy window or such like thing preventing its placement in the middle like most normal designs but in these instances either have a wall box or a cut out in the brickwork. No one likes to bend down and struggle so why expect the delivery person. Then there are the vertical slots with the spring arms, fine when both hands are free but a nightmare when carrying a bundle. Then there are the tiny little cast iron boxes that one has to bend a postcard to get though it. Oh and the dog guards that hinder almost everything including the dog and householder.

More recently I have noticed modern house builders are using an almost impossible system on their “safe by design” houses. These new homes do not have a normal key hole lock on the inside of the door but instead employ a turn latch for quick exits in times of emergency. No real problem there until it comes to the prat who thought that they had to put a plate on the back of the letter box to stop one being able to get a hand through the narrow slot and thus turn the lock and gain entry. It results in nothing being able to be posted. Even without this guard in place, and for those with extremely flat hands and arms, it is impossible to reach this lock from the outside so why on earth anyone would deem it necessary to add it is beyond me. It’s like wearing two belts and braces to hold up trousers with an elasticated waistband with ties. Dumb health and safety at its very best with no regard for the delivery persons scraped knuckles and cut fingers and what little mail is delivered is crushed, creased and damaged.

I have come to the conclusion that no letterbox is actually tested by a postman (oh but it looks so good) and it must be so expensive for a house builder to place a number on the sold home that it prohibits them from adding one.

So the next time you come home to your comfy, clean and safe house take a minute to look at a few simple things. Firstly, is there a clear name or number displayed in an obvious place? Secondly, do I have a postbox and is it in a post-friendly position on the door? Finally, is the delivery point actually useable or does it just look good?

If the answer to any of the above is no then sort it out or suffer the consequences of delayed or non-delivered items, damaged deliveries and fatal accidents due to compromised emergency access.

Sometimes it is a really bad idea to be different.

I guess most of us take our senses for granted and why shouldn’t we? I mean they work most of the time and never ask for any reward or thanks but I do stop and think sometimes how lucky most of us are.

The other day someone told me that a relation had gone blind due to a suspected stroke. After eighty years of sight this must be frightening, strange and very upsetting and the emotional trauma must be huge. One minute everything is in focus and colour and the next blackness. How does one begin to cope and come to terms with that?

Loosing any one of the sensory gifts we have must be very difficult but I can’t imagine any worse than blindness.

Why is it then that some folk risk their fortune by not taking necessary precautions? I see people using grinders and disc cutters with no eye protection or ear defenders and it shocks me to see this. It only takes a small fragment to fly off and its game over. One may not notice the effects of noise when young but believe me it can sneak up on one in later life and can impair one’s quality of hearing sound.

I guess that’s the point. We take these things for granted until they are gone or damaged and so often it is too late then. There is little point saying if only or what if once there is a problem so is it so hard to take steps to prevent these causes?

I understand that the other senses will increase to try and compensate for the loss of another but they can never replace them. No matter how much support we can offer or alternative prosthesis that are available they can never match the loss.

Not being able to smell a tangy fart may seem great but being unable to enjoy the scent of a new born baby or a meadow of flowers is tragic. No taste!! Without smell taste is redundant. Foods become a bland mass of the same.

So bear a thought for our senses and they are the essence of life.

I don’t know enough facts about Global Warming or Climate Change but one thing I do know about is weather as it is a daily accompany to my work and life.

There is only one weather that aggles me and that is “Wind”. I hate it unless listening to it from the warmth and safety from bed. It is utterly beastly and just causes so much stress and anger that it really shouldn’t bother.

Okay, there are those perfect summer days of cloudless skies and warming rays fom the sun that make life outside a pleasure and need. Not too hot, comfortable in shorts and enough vitamin D to make the S.A.D. sufferers and happy as a happy thing on happy pills.

Rain has its justifications as our lives and plants rely on it. Just think how boring the “Seaside” would be without our oceans if there was no rain to feed them; “oh I’m off to the side for holiday”. Still one wouldn’t be attacked by sharks.

One thing I do know is that our weather is changing and the seasons are becoming a bit out of kilter. Where have all the bitterly cold winters gone and the gloriously never ending summers? Are we just seeing a pattern change or a world disaster?

I guess The U.K. has always been renowned for its unpredictable weather and thats is in part its beauty but it would be a far nicer place without high, blustery wind. Breezes are good, gentle blows are fine but raucus, unruly and badly behaved wind it rubbish and I hate it.

In our modern times it still amazes me that one can drop a packet off at a post office or put a letter in a post box and like magic it turns up at the intended destination. We take this service for granted and yet it still seems to work. Okay, there may be a few mishaps and at times things may go utterly wrong but when one takes into account the millions of items that are mailed every day then the percentages are very low. This isn’t an excuse but an inevitable truth. Every business has problems and bugbears and its something we have to live with or insure against.

The increase in online shopping has seen a massive shift in how the Mail Services around the world operate and packets are quickly replacing the decline in letters but how many of us spare a thought when clicking on the buy button on the website? How many recipients make provisions for their parcels  to be received without having the need for a notice to be left stating an attempt was made to deliver your goods but you were not at home?

The Mail Delivery Person is in a loose, loose, loose situation and is damned if they do and damned if they don’t. If the customer is not at home then there is the dilemma of finding somewhere to leave the item, doorstep or take it back to the depot. Unless the goods are given directly to the customer then they could be stolen, damaged by the weather or left undetected and that just is no good for anyone. However, if the item is returned to the office then the householder has the hassle of trundling across town, asking for a redelivery or arranging for their goods to be returned to the sender. But what alternative can there be? Go to a shop, browse, choose what you want and carry it home? At least one is safe in the knowledge you will be at home to accept the delivery as it is you who is delivering.

The amount of times I hear people complain that they were in and a card was put through their letterbox and the delivery person didn’t ring the bell or knock. Its all very well being “at home” but when you hear a knock at the door then you have to open the door and acknowledge the presence of a delivery. Its not the fault of the delivery person or visitor if your doorbell doesn’t work or can’t be heard in some part of the house or garden. Maybe music was playing or one was taking a shower. There are any number of reasons but its definitely a two way street. Does anyone really think that these guys want to take back all of their delivery without attempting to give it to the awaiting customer?

As for dogs and pets. These on the whole are nice, friendly or restrained creatures owned by considerate and responsible people. There are some who this seems below them and it is, in their minds, acceptable for professionals to be attacked and injured in their line of duty. I can tell you this is not acceptable and it is not the animal’s fault but the ignorant human owners and they should receive much harsher punishments.

Throughout the year the mail continues to travel. Every delivery person has to endure all the season changes, weather and traffic chaos that is experienced every day and at times some things can get damaged as a result. It is a fact of life and there is little that can be done to prevent this.

Oh and now for a bit of a rant at the lack of common sense observed by some senders. Don’t expect a package wrapped in flimsy paper to get to its destination. Think about it. Address things properly and plan for the worse. You only have yourself to blame.

The next time you click online or open the door to a smiling delivery person spare a thought for what goes on behind the scenes to ensure everything goes to plan. It may appear to be magic but a lot of hard work and experienced planning goes on before the final reveal.

Every day I here boasts that this tech is better than that and someone’s phone is better than another’s. My Dad is better or harder than your Dad or my Mum is cooler or a better cook than your Mum.

In reality us humans all have our weaknesses and strengths and we work together to make a working team.Or thats how we should interact.

So too can this model be used when arguing which piece of modern tech is better.

It all boils down to individuals needs, comfort, affordability and uses. Nearly all the Tech Giants offer such similar functions in their phones at the different levels that it is hard to pick one. Just because one brand may be expensive or another cheap it does not necessarily mean they are the best. However, once one gets used to an operating system and has other devices that rely on that working model it is often hard to change due to habit and the cost of change and relearning.

It is important to remember that personal and sentimental attachment can cloud one’s view-point but if honesty and practicality reasoning were used then I am sure a different and more harmonious outcome would preside.

For example, I love my Apple phone as it works. I have used one since their launch in 2007 and so have got used to the way they work. Does it mean its the best? No,not by a long chalk. I see better photos from the Samsung (but the Iphone does have slightly better filters) and longer battery life from HTC. What I personally do not have a problem with are the features that I need. I do not have battery issues or photo quality qualms. I have a budget which I fix and any upgrade has to be within that figure. I like the look of the Apple products and am swayed by this. If I was to ignore these points then maybe I could or would choose something different.

I have tried different phones but they just don’t appeal. That is not to say that they are not good.

I love the fact that Android System users can use their handsets alongside so many third party developers and technology. The flexibility is wonderful but this is no reason to ditch a network that is in place. Replacing, tablets, watches, laptops and all the other gadgets that one may have that are linked to their particular platform is just way too expensive and unnecessary. It would be better to wait until the new flagship models have been replaced and their price is reduced.

No follower of a certain brand can be called sheep when all the top tech giants are selling to similar amounts of customers. It’s called the marketplace where choices and innovation allow competition and future development.

My choice or opinion is no better than anyone elses but it is my choice and opinion and respect for that should stop the argument. It is healthy to debate and listen to each side or the story but biased argument helps none.

Men and women really are different. We may look similar. Having two arms and legs, one head and two eyes will do that but we are wired up differently.

It’s not bad until we try to do things on an equal basis and then we enter a whole area of debate and anger.

Now I agree that any person, no matter their gender, should be rewarded and treated the same way in work and society. There should not be any excuse why men should be paid more or less than a woman and vice-versa. The only time this should be acceptable is if one person is more productive, is better qualified or produces more favourable results.

Feminists, malists, chauvinists or bigots damage our ideals and to be honest just lack self confidence.

For example I would hold the door for anyone behind me or even in front. Its manners after all. What I don’t want to hear is that I have the audacity to presume the person, being shown respect, is capable of doing this and is humiliated by my actions. Should one slam the door in their face then? Or maybe smile the assine smile of up yours?

Why can’t we have ladies only clubs or gentleman only lounges without the cry of sexism? Don’t we have enough shared spaces already?

Is it right that men play five rounds of tennis and women play three rounds but want equal prize money? Of course not. Equally, an actor and actress in leading roles should be paid the same? Yes, if their parts have a similar screen time.

Most blokes I know love being childish and find toys amusing. Let’s face it there is far more fun to be had in playing with a remote controlled boat than doing housework. Going to the pub and acting like dicks has more attraction than decorating. Most men hate chores and will put them off for as long as they can or they become a threat to life. The shed, the greatest invention to date, is a man’s best friend and any healthy home with a man in it will have one. Women tend to have boudoirs or summerhouses. But the shed; a man can never have enough. “Two sheds Jackson” springs to mind.

I have heard that some women actually like cleaning, ironing and decorating and would prefer this to visiting the local or blowing things up. Are you kidding me?

I bet most times one could tell a batchelor’s  pad to a baccelorette’s. No probably all the time.

We are different themes in the same species so why do so many want to change the sexes to equal units? Can’t we just be ourselves and find someone to be honest and true with. Why does compromise nearly always play a part because it may not be possible to maintain.

One thing I do know is that we are all bound by our own personal limitations. Sometimes we may not realise what those are or we can’t accept them but they exist. A good partnership is one where one’s strengths will counterbalance another’s weaknesses.

So we can treat each other equally but not all of us are equal.

Over the last week or so I have been asked if “I have had a nice Christmas”.

My reply is “yes I am having a nice Christmas as there are twelve days of it”.

Have we lost our way so much? I mean all the stress and effort that is put into the festive celebration and for it to last a few hours. What a waste.

Traditionally, this festive time lasted well into the year and wouldn’t end till the end of February. It was a constant feast time and a salutation for many a different reason. Mostly, to share out and be thankful of the hard work involved in producing food and shelter during the productive months of the passing year and to wish in the Winter Solstice.

Within this time of feasts and thanksgiving Christmas was introduced to mark the birth of The Baby Jesus. Thus transforming and intertwining Christianity into the Pagan beliefs.

Okay having the festive period from the end of November to the the end of February would cause compound troubles to our modern lives such as time off work, eating and drinking too much and the brutality that endless days of partying would see. I say this as the focus would be hijacked by the marketing boys and we would be exploited by their want for us to spend all or our money and more and end up selling our souls to the Devil, the bean counter.

The revised window is a far more refined way of doing things but there is still  some mystery attached to it. It all depends when one starts their celebrations; Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. For me Christmas Eve is the time to decorate the home, hang the stockings and set out the mince pies and port. So yesterday was my Epiphany. However, for others who start on the 25th then their twelfth night will be today the 6th January.

Why spend so much time trying to make one day perfect when one’s efforts can be spread over nearly two weeks? Vast mountains of food can be enjoyed in smaller amounts on separate days. The cost of the whole affair can be cut dramatically if it wasn’t all crammed into one day. Stomach upsets, wasted food, stressful expectations and obligations would be far less and so everyone has the chance to relax and enjoy the time of year. Gifts shared over twelve days? Far more exciting than all in one bundle and it wouldn’t have to be extravagant. Start with the simple things and end with the main.

Christmas and New Year could become a wonderful festival again rather than the commercial farce it has turned into in modern times and all could be included rather than the few chosen for that One day.

Yes I have had a “nice” Christmas thank you, have you?

Television???

Watching the box, the telly, or tv used to be a simple pleasure and either one was around when the programme was aired or one was not. The choice was either or and the air times were limited. Children’s viewing slot was even more  narrow but at least it was understandable. The major difference was that not every home had a television (let alone a colour one) but today not many homes do not have a set (and they are all colour).

Once we were given 4 or 5 channels to choose from and the “video recorder” was introduced then we thought we were given more freedom. In some respects we were but for many it just increased the amount of time we could spend watching shows that would have normally been outside our normal scheduling.  Now we could watch our normal favourites but record others to watch at a later time. On wet days or time off we didn’t have to use our imaginations to find entertainment as there were all the pre-recorded items to watch or the rental videos to turn to. The only decisions were what to watch and which snacks to have on the sofa side table. This in itself could take up hours of the day.

As time has marched on and technology has advanced we have shrunk in our ability to imagine as viewers and create our own entertainment. It did trigger me to contemplate this and I thought why.

Up until quite recently I would watch, record or play on demand mainly the shows broadcast on the terrestrial  channels. I fell into the trap of watching for watching’s sake and routine. This was especially true on cold, wet, dark winter days or after busy shifts at work. It was easy and took little or no effort on my behalf and because I lived alone the telly became a housemate and broke the silence of sole living.

That was my routine until subscription. I signed up to Amazon Prime a while ago to take advantage of free postage and offers. It also offers a huge library of music for the Alexa speaker. Within this package are books and a vast amount of television. These are offered in series, film and one-off shows. All of a sudden one can watch a box set or a series and they become so powerful and addictive that all other content is blurred out. There  is no waiting and time just evaporates into one big blob.

To this end I found that I have left behind most of my previous terrestrial choices and can quite honestly say that on the whole I miss none. So maybe, and only maybe, could this actually spell the end of watching tv altogether? I mean if I don’t miss the regular stuff then by rights if the streaming was cut off then I would find something else to do and ultimately not miss that either.

There are only two Box Set series I am watching at present and they are Eureka and Castle. Once they are finished what then? The choice is so great or that is what we are led to believe but in reality there is very little content added which is within the subscription package or one has to pay extra for.

Is it back to terrestrial? Probably not as one gets left behind quite quickly and most of the shows have moved on too far to know what is going on.

Maybe it was better years ago when choice was limited and one could view at allotted times. I think that it would be far better to opt for a few good offerings and then turn off until future quality programmes become available. Too much content can cause massive indecision and frustration and so often brings one back to the normal staples and as a result we waste so much.

I can’t ever imagine the day that television will cease to exist unless there is a power shortage or some disaster renders it useless but the way we use our sets is gradually changing.

Technology as we all know is twisting and turning at great speed. It is morphing our lives and aspirations at a terrifying rate. Everything is beginning to become joined. There will be little need for tablets, laptops and PCs in the home shortly as the television set will become the viewing screen. Even keyboards will no longer be required. Handheld microphones and voice controlled boxes will enable the user to demand information as easily as talking. Artificial Intelligence is already integrating into our homes and lives. I mentioned the Amazon Alexa Speaker, a voice controlled assistant that can bring information and entertainment at the demand of our spoken words, and she is becoming a big thing in our homes as an addition to the family.

Our demand for entertainment, fun and new experiences will always be there and the visual aspect is one of our primary senses that needs feeding but the box in the corner of the room is gradually changing shape and format so in a few years time our interaction will be as different as today is from the sixties experience.

Excited? You bet. Tomorrow’s world is never a boring subject. History is full of mystery and conjecture. Today? Live it and see.

We have all heard about recycling or the lack of it and now we are being told the problem with plastic is going to become an even bigger nightmare.

Why is my  simple question? Why is this such a massive headache in our modern times?

Since the introduction of charging for disposable plastic bags I have not had to use one since as I either take my own of carry the few items in my arms or pockets. So Government legislation can create huge change.

There is a very sad fact that there is no national policy on recycling, plastic production and packaging laws. This has got to be one of our dumbest situations ever apart from the other depressing fact that our Councils, throughout the UK, sing from completely different hymn sheets when it comes to refuse collection and recycling. This should be a standardised practise set in law and regulation.

I am seriously contemplating returning all the unnecessary packaging to the supermarkets and shops (even the online ones) so they can deal with all their crap which is so wasteful and used to dupe us into their marketing techniques.

What I find remarkable is that many of us will carefully divide our waste and do our bit to help only to hear that our efforts are worthless due to the fact that so much is not fit for recycling. Surely in our modern times all plastics should be recyclable, disposable coffee cups made from either reusable materials or ones that can be recycled and packaging can be fit for purpose.

Confidential waste from businesses or from domestic homes could be shredded and then added to our organic waste to be made into compost.

If supermarkets and shopping centres introduced bottle and tin banks which gave a deposit back then the amount of litter on our streets would dramatically fall. Kids would scour the bins and streets to boost their pocket money.

China has announced it will not be taking our plastic any more which came as a shock as why didn’t we sort this problem out before it became so bad we had to export our rubbish? Also, we should return all the unrequired packaging back to them when they ship the tonnes of imported goods to us. It might help them be more efficient in their approach to packaging things.

I think the most important Law that we can pass in the UK is that if an item of packaging cannot be recycled or reused then use products that can. I understand that some products contain certain components that cannot or are hard to recycle but a vast amount of things can be changed. Outlaw the one use items that end up in landfill and take lifetimes to break down.

This should be spread to all countries via G8 summits and global education.

It may cost more to start with but if waste is cut, pollution is halved and lives are saved then in the long term it will balance out and may even be cheaper.

Yes it will take some organisation and harsh law enforcement but it would be a worthwhile exercise but I guess that’s the point. Its hassle and work for those in charge and, to start with, profits may take a hit (so the bosses and shareholders will see their fortunes halved).

Designers, engineers, inventors and science must come to our aid; now, not tomorrow. There must be alternative solutions to the easy answer plastic and non-recyclable products pose.

Something has to change though and we must make an effort to address the question, “why?”

Animals live better lives in the wild but man calls them savage, yet we destroy and pollute our habitats and call this civilisation. Our world and society leaders need to wake up and smell the coffee.

Can it be that hard?

Loads of people do sporty things and age doesn’t seem to stop them and they seem to be able to conjure up the time and place to do it. Good for them I say and well done. No patronising, just honest praise.

But what about the other side of this coin for the folk who lives, age and time does get in the way and make a huge difference? Does it mean sport has to be given up on or can there be a pleasant balance?

I used to love sport from club rugby to gym workouts and long distance running to cycling and maybe a bit of walking and climbing with an occasional swim and shoot.

Where did I find the time and what has happened to me?

My guess is age versus injury and  other commitments have taken their toll not to mention cake, biscuits, sweets, crisps, beer and television. Oh and who wants to go out on a cold, wet winters day and freeze their nuts off or become a statistic when blown off the face of a cliff during howling gales?

Twenty-five years ago I could quite comfortably complete a ten mile run in under an hour. Today I can’t manage ten miles and find the hour only gets me to around five and a half to six miles and even then I’m done in. If I push harder then injuries flare up and I’m in danger of blowing my heart up.

Even cycling and swimming have become almost a burden and walking is just so slow and boring. What is going on with the loves of my life and the buzz that exercise proved too alluring to give up?

A lack of fitness and a constant feeling of exhaustion is my immediate answer but look a bit deeper and its more than likely the weight gain too. It does appear to be a simple fix. Ditch the weight, find more energy and become fitter. But that’s like saying get rid of the dog or cat and be free of pet hair. Its not quite that straight forward.

Will-power to stop buying the easy fast food and treats would help. Beer? It is just too nice. Maybe invest in a gym membership for the dark, cold and weather-restrictive days of the year and change to a simpler diet.

I’m not looking to become an Olympian or ultra-sportsperson but I could do with changing my shape from a bloated beach ball to one of more just slightly round.

I hope with the new-found focus and more positive mental attitude that I can develop a new routine. Hell, I’m writing about it so that’s a start. To empty out all the cupboards though and bin the crap is such a waste but not adding to them would be a step in the right direction.

Discover new recipes, and seek out tastier foods.

Fifty one years of age is young really but my body feels as though it has gained twice the years over the last decade. Things I took for granted have become painful by comparison but there must be a way to slow things down or bring these ages into a more synchronised plain.

If by changing a few things and adjusting mental perceptions I can do this then be assured I will let you know and try to explain how this came about. If nothing changes then I shall put it down to how it is meant to be. No anger or down-heartedness but acceptance.

We are all built differently after all and one cure cannot cover everyone. We all have to find our own natural balance and capabilities. Boundaries are there to push, and at times break, but we must know our own personal limits and learn to live within them.

Sport? Its still there but needs a new title and direction. Don’t give up because you can.