Postal palaver

I finally posted the last batch of Christmas cards (and a few presents) about a week ago and I think I can safely say the postage was far more than the value of the gifts. I quite enjoy posting letters and postcards because the stamps are all traditional ‘lickable’ stamps with lovely designs (usually wildlife) and much nicer than stickers of the queens head. Packages are dealt with differently though and require a post-mark machine. I had to wait as a few pieces of A4 paper were completely covered in 90 rupee postmarks (enough to total the 1600 rupee cost of one parcel) and sellotaped to the packet.
I have also learnt a valuable lesson which is not to package anything until I get to the post office. It took me a long time to wrap everything up and an awful lot of parcel tape. When I got there however I had to not only open up the outer wrapping and take out each present to show the postal workers but I then had to unwrap many of the presents from their Christmas wrapping paper to display them. I apologise for the state of any gifts coming your way.