I WOULD like to thank the Royal Mail for giving me the best Mothering Sunday in 38 years.

On Saturday we returned home to find a card pushed through our door informing us that for £1.06 (6p underpaid plus £1 administration fee) I could travel to Pixon Lane (closed by then) and pick up a card that could not be delivered for the reason stated above.

It was obviously a Mothering Day's card but this was of no interest to the bureaucratic pen-pusher in the office — heaven forbid that the chance to swell the Royal Mail's coffers by £1.06 should be forfeited in favour of ignoring a little mistake by a son/daughter at this time of the year.

Both my son and daughter phoned on Sunday when I was forced to admit that I had received neither card. Apart from being upset they were understandably furious. Both cards had been posted on the previous Tuesday as they wanted to ensure I received them in time.

On Monday I received my daughter's card, postmarked Wednesday with a second class stamp! If the Royal Mail is to be believed I should have received it Friday!

My son's card apparently had a first class stamp on it in the belief it would cover the cost of the card. He is adamant I do not pick it up as Mothering Sunday is now over and he feels the Royal Mail has made enough profit out of this affair.

I have reminded both my son and daughter that Internet cards can be sent free of charge and more importantly are  fast and reliable — that is my preference for the future. 

Mrs M Brown

Yelverton