Last week I purchased a new mobile phone. Samsung duly despatched the said device within 24 hours and an email arrived with my tracking details.

As one does I clicked on the tracking link which took me to the UK Mail website and a clear display of where my device was along with a projected delivery date.

On the Thursday I received a text and email saying that the package would be delivered  Friday. OK, I'm working but hopefully a neighbour would take it in.

Friday comes and I receive another text saying my delivery window is 17:10-18:10. Marvellous thought I, I can leave work a bit early and be home to receive my parcel.

At 14:53 I have a missed call on my mobile. Calling it back I find that it is the delivery driver who has already attempted delivery and I was not in. I explained that my delivery window was later and he said it's a computer error - I think it was a driver error!!

So I then decided to go to the depot and pick it up myself. No surprise to me the depot is stuck at the back of beyond on an industrial estate in Rotherham! They only open between 8-12 so I need to get there early or I will have to wait until Thursday for my next delivery.

I check the bus timetables and I need the 69 from the bus terminal in Sheffield which drops me off on the road at the end of the industrial estate. I'm up early on Saturday (6:45), bathed and out. As I walk into the bus terminus I bump into my mum!! She's on her way to Liverpool for a day trip.

Are you still with me readers?

My bus comes and takes me to my destination, slap bang in the heart land of Rotherham steelworks, delightful. I see a sign which leads to the industrial estate where the depot is, or should be. I say should be as the companies instructions and map start you off in the wrong place.

A further 20 mins walk and I arrive at the UK Mail depot. Suffice to say I get my parcel and leave for the bus stop.

At the bus stop I see that the bus is due in about 12 mins, GREAT I thought, not long to get back to Sheffield and pick up my second parcel of the day. I stand, alone surrounded by a J G Ballard inspired environment.

The bus arrives, I scan my citywide travel card only to find it not working. The driver looks at me and says that I am just outside the city limits. I say can you just let me on and he says yes for £1. £1 for literally one stop as he informs me. I get off the bus saying that I would walk. He then follows me a distance, hits his horn and opens the door to say something to me, I presume to let me on for nothing. I wave him away and walk.

I do however find a signpost which leads me off the main road and along a rather pretty canal and to the Meadowhall shopping centre. Eventually finding the tram stop and home, well coffee shop where I now find myself with a large Americano and a ham and mozzarella panini... bliss.

Not exactly belly laughs but a mini rant from me. :-)