Hi,

When you send letters and parcels out to your loved ones serving in Afghanistan (for example) roughly how long does it take to reach them? I want to send something out to my boyfriend so that he gets it not long after getting there but don't know how long it'll take in transit.

Many thanks , Kate

Hi Kate
we sent our son two parcels it takes about a week for them to get them but make sure anything you send weighs less than 2kg else the Post office wont send it even if you offer to pay (all letters/parcels to afgan forces are free)

Karin

Hi , thank you.

Have got a parcel all ready and packed to send out. He leaves on Thursday so wanted to send it soon but didn't know how long it takes them to get to where they are stationed - didn't want it beating him there and hanging around in the way of other post!

Is it ok to send stuff in a jiffy bag now and again if im not sending enough for a shoe box? Or does it have to be in a rigid container? You can tell i've not done this before! ;)

Jiffy bag should be fine but dont forget to weigh it, We are lucky we wont be sending any more this year all being well he will be home on the 16th of October for a while.

Karin

Bet you can't wait to see him! Hope he has a safe fortnight and a good journey back home.

How did you cope the first few days of him going out as i'm finding it hard already and he hasn't even left yet.

I was brought up in an army family and never knew when my dad would be home, it has given us a heads up to what will happen. My sons girlfriend is finding it very hard and didn't want to let him out her sight for a few days before he left. it does get easier letting them go but we were always brought up to
"never watch them leave" "never let them see you Cry!" and they must never turn and look back. it was just superstition on bases and I have kept it up since Son joined up. 
so we always say see you (never goodby) later and he goes out the door  and that is it.

Karin

Sounds a very good idea! :)

I haven't seen him for a week and won't see him before he goes ( lives a long way away ) which is proably for the best as i'm a complete crier!! But he told me to be brave when I left his house last week , and I managed to hold in the tears till I was down the street. Had cried nearly all that morning though - but am getting better!

He's set up the e-bluey account for me though which has helped as i feel a bit closer to him because of that.

Many thanks for all you advice and words of encouragement x

Kate! I am always about if you want a good winge or let off steam just email me!

Karin

Thank you Karin , that is really kind of you. :)

I don't have any advice I'm afraid, but just wanted to say that I think your boys who are off to serve and also the families who have to watch them go, are all very brave.  I have huge admiration for our forces.  I wish you all, all the best and hope they stay safe.

Simone :)

Hi sugar just wanted to say keep your chin up, easier said than done I know having gone through more tours with OH than I care to remember.
I'm another one that is here if you need to chat about anything at all :)

NOt sure its easier these days than it was in my time as WRAF then married to a RAF guy back then we did our send offs at home, railway station etc but not camp, gave the lads time to sort themselves out before they met up for deployment.  My girls were at barracks last wk seeing their friends and partners off on the coach with my words ringing in their ears no tears no emotions and NO goodbyes a stay safe have a good tour and see ya soon etc but not goodbye.

I've sent parcels that have arrived less than a wk after posting others have taken upto 6 wks no idea why just the way it goes but mostly they're pretty quick.

Thank you everyone!

Got an email this morning from him saying they had arrived and were just settling into camp, which made my day to hear from him so soon! :)

About to post his parcel now but do I have to put a return address on the back of it?

That's great that you've heard from him.  Hopefully his time will pass quickly, safely and uneventfully.

Always best to put your address on it anyway in case it gets lost in transit.  :)

I'm glad you have had a phone call from him :)

I always put a return address on the back of my parcels. In fact the one time I forgot I was asked to do it by the lady at the post office so think they advise it also.

Thank you both , put the return address on his parcel, and the envelope with magazine in ( wouldn't fit in the shoe box! ) and also filled in a customs thing - didn't even think about that! Is there anywhere I can buy those stickers so I can fill them in in advance or do I have to do them at the post office counter?

I've always admired and respected the men and women in the forces, but now being in the situation I am I have so much admiration for the loved ones of those men/women because being left behind is a lot harder than i've ever thought it would be. You are truely amazing people!! :)

Hi Sugar, if you ask I'm sure the post office will be able to give you a little supply for future use.  :)

Thank you , didn't even think of asking that when I was there. Going to need them now cause have just offered to send some out to one of the girls who is being stationed elsewhere and only has her parents sending her stuff . ( one of his close friends , not a random stranger I should add! ) Better get a big hug when he comes home! ;)

Yes if you ask for a few they are usually pretty good at giving you them. I always had a few to save time at the counter so I wasn't holding people up.

I sent a couple of parcels over the past twelve months when someone here had asked who's husband was serving.  His time ended and I sent to someone else who's address I'd been given.  I'd be happy to send this girl a parcel.  If you think it would be appropriate you can PM me her details.

Simone

Thanks Simone , that's a really kind offer. :)

As I don't know the girl personally I don't feel comfortable giving out her address, but have sent a message to Daniel asking if it's ok and will let you know when he replies.

Thank you x

No problem at all.  I'm delighted to send out a package every now and again to the forces.

S x

I am so disappointed. Son's grad day from RAF Halton was on 7/9. DIL to be had all the original photos. I ordered reprints, after waiting for over a month mine finally arrived Friday. Fantastic pictures but don't know who the hell the AC in them is!! Trying to get the photos sorted is like spitting in the wind!!