Soon is the month of Maying, when Sprinter vans are playing: Philip White Freight has a mid-May service in mind.

BONJOUR, chers Alpiniards.

As I've been working rather too hard recently, I spent the morning hacking around Lulworth in Dorset, accompanied by my friend Stuart and my dog. Sun, sea and as it turned out, a pint of cider. Magical.

And illusory. For here I am back in the PWF office, talking to you about May. Because on the 12th of that fine month we shall set forth on a voyage Alpenwards. We will arrive late on 13 May, and spend the 14th delivering and picking up the vivid array of things you lovely people choose to ship to and fro. Then we shall return to the increasingly sunny embrace of dear old Blighty.

Ideally I would sit back now and await your mails, sucking philosophically on another pint of Old Rosie. In reality however, a load schedule, some accounting and the school run await. April, as an American once wrote, is the cruellest month...

A bientot, mes amis

Phil White