Tips for surviving a day out?

[wa4jim]

I started at New Year on a 20-hour contract and, after being moved from pillar to post, for the time being I've ended up on a solo duty made up of odds and ends that are spread about. First, I started with a van but now, for some reason, there's a shortage of vans so I have to be ferried about. At my first drop today both bags on my golf trolley were full to bursting and it was quite heavy to drag up the hills and, in one case, steps. Then I phone up and someone usually picks me up with more mail and we drive straight to my second drop, and the process repeats. But today we had to deliver some packets on the way. I didn't get picked up again until 16:45, by which time the sun had gone down and I was cold, hungry and dehydrated.

I carry a few high energy bars bars in my pockets but there's no space for much else, let alone any spare clothing. There are no shops anywhere near my route. Any tips for making things easier?

[NewPostieUK]

Go to see your manager. Tell him exactly what happened. Ask for his phone number and tell him next time it happens you'll ring him at your finishing time and he can send someone out to pick you up and finish your delivery.

[woopesh]

I started at New Year on a 20-hour contract and, after being moved from pillar to post, for the time being I've ended up on a solo duty made up of odds and ends that are spread about. First, I started with a van but now, for some reason, there's a shortage of vans so I have to be ferried about. At my first drop today both bags on my golf trolley were full to bursting and it was quite heavy to drag up the hills and, in one case, steps. Then I phone up and someone usually picks me up with more mail and we drive straight to my second drop, and the process repeats. But today we had to deliver some packets on the way. I didn't get picked up again until 16:45, by which time the sun had gone down and I was cold, hungry and dehydrated.

I carry a few high energy bars bars in my pockets but there's no space for much else, let alone any spare clothing. There are no shops anywhere near my route. Any tips for making things easier?

I had the same problem as you, so I started to prepare like I would for a long distance run. You need rest, water and carbs. Try going to a hiking or running shop and buy a water bladder that you can wear like a backpack if you don't have space to carry a water bottle. Then sit down for 5 mins every 2 hours or so, and drink and eat something. Banana, cereal bars, meal replacement bars. All are good. Also carb load in the mornings. Toast, banana's, porridge etc. I feel devastated, like my legs are made of lead if I keep going dehydrated, cold and hungry. Its a horrible feeling.

I also wear my hiking gear (apparently I'm too new to "qualify" for a uniform aside from a hi viz vest)... base layer, mid and top waterproof layer. Wearing all of them you should be comfortable sitting around. When you walk, you can take the mid layer off as you heat up and put it back on if you feel cold.

Hope this helps. Look after yourself out there.

[woopesh]

Having said that, everyone seems to have a different way. My trainer seemed to require nothing other than roll ups. He said he skipped breakfast apart from a coffee and didn't eat or drink anything until his round was over. He never took a break. He was fast.

[bogstandard]

it would appear the tip is take up hiking.

what you've described is not on my friend. If, and it does not seem to be an if, you do not have the time to perform the tasks in front of you prepare to head back to the office so you can finish on time and at your parent office.

[bustedflush]

Having said that, everyone seems to have a different way. My trainer seemed to require nothing other than roll ups. He said he skipped breakfast apart from a coffee and didn't eat or drink anything until his round was over. He never took a break. He was fast.

Ah, yes! I remember you now...

[woopesh]

I'm trying to figure out how to get the Royal Mail Uniform to match a hiking outfit.

For most conditions apart from blazing hot days in the summer, the below will work well.

1) Baselayer
It looks like Royal Mail don't have a base layer. I use a Merino Wool Icebreaker tops. These are brilliant, much less smelly than polyester equivalents. Anything other than cotton would work well. The material needs to wick sweat away from the body.

2) Mid Layer.
Royal Mail Fleece.

3) Top / Shell layer.
Class 2 All Weather Top or Cagoule, depending on how likely it is to piss down with rain.

Combat trousers or waterproof trousers for the legs.

This will work for three out of four seasons in the UK... well at least if the gear is upto scratch.

However if you are like my trainer, all you would ever need is the Royal Mail blue shirt. Once we went out, it was cold enough to condense your breath, yet that is all he wore. I asked him if he was cold, but he said he would warm up on his way round and just smoked another rolly.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

You know when it's cold, the senior posties put their blue fleece on.

[eggraidonmojo]

You know when it's cold, the senior posties put their blue fleece on.

great picture - that made me smile. love the short shorts.

[woopesh]

You know when it's cold, the senior posties put their blue fleece on.

Lol