Virginia Cheeseman Blog

I've been defeated by the weather. On Wednesday I decided that it would have to be my last posting day as the weather forecasts were all saying the same 'more snow on the way'. I cannot believe how bad the weather has been this month, my Christmas wish is for milder weather in January and February. Royal Mail cancelled their Special Delivery next day guarantee on December 1st and they have still not reinstated it. I have continued to post out the orders that I have received, on days when I thought it was 'ok', most parcels have arrived the next day and there have been few casualties but I have found it very stressful continually checking the forecasts and the Royal Mail latest information updates. I have had far fewer orders than usual and my sales are down by almost half from last December. I am now looking forward to Christmas but of course it all has a knock on effect. I am stocked to the rafters with bugs and spiders that I expected to sell before Christmas and ...

Somebody up there doesn't like me! But the good news is that everyone down here seems to like me ok. It has been a pretty rotten week but people have been so nice and understanding. I honestly haven't had anyone moaning at me, probably because everyone knows that I really am trying to keep things going the best I can. I have only had a few spiders and bugs die in the post but it is very sad and I don't want to lose any at all. The weather has been causing chaos, not just for my business but a lot of others too. Royal Mail are still not guaranteeing next day delivery but over the last couple of days everything seems to have arrived on time. The main hold ups were the end of last week and in areas that had no post getting through at all. It is so difficult to know how other areas are affected when I am looking out of my window and although cold, there is no snow in sight. I'm not sure how next week will go but it is my final week of posting before Christmas so I hope it w...

I hate this weather! Snow, ice and freezing temperatures have made this last week very difficult for everyone. It has been an absolute nightmare for my business. I continued to post out orders until yesterday, most orders have arrived ok but a few have been delayed and I cannot take the stress of it all. I aim to, and do my best to ensure that every animal that I send out arrives well and healthy but this weather is making things too risky. Royal Mail removed their 'next day delivery' guarantee on Wednesday and I may have to cease sending orders until they reinstate the guarantee. I really don't know at the moment, I am praying for better weather next week. It sounds like a good idea to just hang onto orders until the weather improves but that means more work for me as everything will pile up and I only have two weeks left to post before Christmas anyway. Oh woo is me! On a more cheerful note, the bugs all seem happy tucked up in their warm log cabin. I was really excited ...