Thanks to all who contributed, either with advice, offers of help, or just good humour.
In spite of all the obstacles, and complications, Roamin Rog and Chris brought our first shipment down .
The second request was more urgent and complicated.
I had to wade through finding a reliable courier, to bring a 6 month backlog of diabetes supplies, ( unobtainable in Portugal ),that we normally
collect when we visit home.
U.P.S . We're reccomended.
It took me 5 hours online and 4 phone calls, just to arrange a pick up slot and pre pay for shipment to our village Post Office.
They missed the first slot. I phoned and they sent a driver ,who had the wrong paperwork.
The next day... The same happened. The paperwork was right to collect, but somehow, marked as C.O.D.
It arrived 5 working days later.
The post office refused to pay the £68+ delivery charge.
After 10 more phone calls it arrived again, the next day...
Same problem.
I phoned the driver this morning.
" Yes, I'll be there between 1 and 2 , outside the village Post Office.. ". .. Lunch hour 1.30 til 3.00.
At 1.30 , she locked up and left.
5 minutes later, the van man rang, asking where we were ?
It turns out he was outside the Post Office in a village, 7 miles away..
The box was marked..."
NOTHING TO PAY.."..in a letter dated today.
How many old people, in the same situation would have just paid..
Not many from Yorkshire....
And my Portuguese language has had a free refresher course.