You see more and more DHL and UPS vehicles around in the UK now and I've often wondered why people use them when there is a perfectly good service provided by the Royal Mail.

Mail services in Africa, however, don't operate to Royal Mail time standards and there is also a significant risk that anything of value may disappear en route.

Since our plans to drive to Zambia may not now be possible, my Plan B may involve flying to Uganda/Malawi/S Africa and hiring a car at some stage. I had obtained an international driving licence for our drive to Zambia, but to hire a car you generally also need both parts of your UK licence and I stupidly left my counterpart licence in the UK.

However - a good samaritan friend retrieved it from our house in Bristol and gave it to DHL. They guarantee worldwide delivery in 48 hours and sure enough it was with us in Watamu within that window - and I was able to track it on my mobile on its journey. The downside is that it cost £50 , but some things do work in Africa.