An early start in the drizzle was first up and I decided to take my motorcycle too! I headed straight to the Swanage Royal Mail sorting office, run by Steve Fletcher, who I have met on several occasions. I walked in on time at 0715, to meet not only Steve, but Alice Cookson, who is the organisation's deputy head of public affairs. Steve soon had a welcome coffee in my hand and I then set off round the office, chatting to all the posties, one of whom, Alan, was celebrating his 42nd year there. The poor man was given a present: me! For, after meeting and talking to all the posties, I hopped into Alan's van and we set off on his round. Due to the enormous amount of parcels this year, Alan began his round backing up a colleague and we delivered parcels for about an hour before settling back into Alan's normal round. We had a good laugh on the way round and Alan could not have been more charming. An intelligent and affable man, Alan pays a lot of attention to his customers and it showed by their reactions when we met one or two of them. They all greeted him like a friend, which after 42 years he duly is. At about 0930 I had to peel away for my next appointment at the lifeboat station, where I met the new coxswain Dave Turnbull and operations manager Neil Hardy, who's just been awarded an MBE, and well deserved it is too. I was given a thorough brief on how all the building work is going and the new Shannon-class boat arrives in April. Jet propelled, it's the latest, state-of-the-art boat and, if the video I watched is anything to go by, a fantastic asset for our part of the coastline. Then it was just down the road to the Swanage Rowing Club, where Mr Wallace talked to me in confidence about an issue he wants my help with. I shall do what I can. The club itself is going from strength to strength, with its members entering all kinds of competitions across the country. Their new home is very smart and tucked into the gardens opposite the pier. Finally, it was time for another of my regular surgeries in the Conservative Club, which was packed. It's good to see and hear that the club is doing so well. Back home where I worked through to supper time.