One reader had a lengthy visit to the Post Office last week.

Last Thursday (December 7) I travelled on the community bus to Fakenham.

The town was cold, wet and windy but for those of us who no longer drive or have no alternate transport we only have the one bus that connects our village with Fakenham.

I reached the first venue on my shopping list. I counted 17 people in the queue which was moving at the speed of a hibernating tortoise. More folk joined it with shopping trolleys, pushchairs, wet dogs and much grumbling. Soon there was a rumour that the queue was out of the door and into Miller's Walk.

Someone near the back called out 'It's conga time' which raised not a laugh but more muttering. Fifty-five minutes later I was at the counter, big farewell to the lady behind me who had been a perfect stranger an hour since but now knew most of my life history. And I hers. And I had seen photos of her budgie.

On the way out I counted 21 people, three infants and two dogs still waiting. Where were we? Snapping up bargains from Black Friday or Cryptic Monday? Waiting to book seats for some star-studded pantomime? Sorting out a hot holiday in Helsinki? Waiting for the latest edition of Prince George's fashion hints? No. We were listening to urgent phone calls saying 'I can't help it darling, I'm stuck in the Post Office.'

It was market day, although the market was not out in the rain. It was pensions day, it was the day many parcels and overseas mail was being posted so why was there just one counter open for most of the time?

Is the Post Office determined to upset as many customers as possible so as to close it down altogether?

I could have bought the stamps in Whissonsett. As well as three buses a week we also have a Post Office for four hours a week. To add insult to injury the card shops in Miller's Walk have plenty of stamps for sale.

As my dear old Dad would have said: 'I inta a cumin here n'mor.'