parcel and letter delivery are tendered out separately, so quite often its two different people/companies that have the contracts.

Traveling I suggest you get a bigger mailbox, being a former parcel delivery person nothing annoyed me more than some fool who ordered tons of parcels but couldn't be bothered getting a decent mailbox to hold them.  Then they'd be the ones that would biatch about the parcels being left on the verandah or being carded.

And for everyone, please make sure there is a clear pathway to your door, it wasn't much fun getting rose thorns stuck in your face or tripping on dangers steps etc.

As a former postie. THIS!!! ^

Have a go at one of the most thankless jobs anyone will ever do before you spray your postie for no real reason. I can assure you that they don't knock on your door because they simply don't have time, well I didn't anyway. And no they don't have all day to deliver. doh!! I never knocked on doors either, but I would beep my horn a couple of time to attract homeowners attention. If they didn't respond, they got a card, fair enough.