Alan Cleaver

Out in paperback on 12th March: The Postal Paths

I'm glad to report the paperback edition of my book, The Postal Paths is out soon - the 12th March (2026). You can pre-order here: uk.bookshop.org/p/books/post...

Finished this by @postalpathsguy.bsky.social today. Highly recommended. Interesting, informative and made me think I would love to be a rural postie. Although I would need to be able to listen to podcasts/audiobooks. And have some good waterproofs. None of which the heroes of this book had.

Indeed now corrected. Thanks.

Handwritten notebook

A couple of pages from the notebook I kept while researching The Postal Paths book.

A hiker on a footpath with Dentdale in the background.

I am slowly adding postal path routes in Britain to my micro-website with more details for those who want to walk paths mentioned in my book, The Postal Paths. The one pictured is Dent in Cumbria. Website: sites.google.com/view/postal-...

If ebooks are your thing then you will be pleased to hear that The Postal Paths ebook is just 99p (offer closes end of January)
www.amazon.co.uk/Postal-Paths...

‘I tried. I felt everything’: readers tell us how they would use their last chance to send a letter With the Danish postal service ending its letter deliveries, we asked what you would put in your final envelope

"I was here. I tried. I felt everything. And I left behind a whisper, just in case someone was listening." - Guardian readers reveal what their last letter would say:
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Thankyou. And your lovely card arrived this morning.

Illustration: Trina Schart Hyman - from Dylan Thomas's A Child's Christmas in Wales

A Merry Christmas to all you good folk. Thank you for supporting and helping me with the publication of The Postal Paths. And thank you to all posties for your good work, especially at this busy time of the year.
(Illustration: Trina Schart Hyman - from Dylan Thomas's A Child's Christmas in Wales).

The Postal Paths book

If you're still looking for a Christmas present for a postman/woman, a retired postie, someone who wants to be a postie or someone who just loves walking Britain's beautiful footpaths, can I recommend The Postal Paths by... er, well, me 😉?

What would you write in a very last letter and why? If you had the chance to write just one last letter, to whom would you send it?

Who would your last letter be to? And what would it say? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Supai, the only place in America where mail is still delivered by mule! The journey of the mail mules begins at Hualapai Hilltop, the trailhead leading down into the Grand Canyon. From here, the mules and their handlers embark on an arduous 8-mile trek along the Havasupai...

The village in the Grand Canyon, America, where the post is still delivered by mule...
share.google/PiioSHoqUGNu...

A picture of a book - A Lake District Christmas compiled by Alan Cleaver

One of my newish Christmas traditions. Reading 1 of 24. Highly recommended. Thank you @postalpathsguy.bsky.social for a treat that goes on from year to year.

Thankyou!

The Translator’s Funeral, a new short story by Rónán Hession Part of the New Irish Writing series

The wonderful TV adaptation of Leonard and Hungry Paul has ended. Can I, therefore, advise those suffering from @ronanhession.bsky.social withdrawal symptoms that there is one of his short stories available on t'inter web... www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...

#Booksky

Just finished reading this brilliant read from @postalpathsguy.bsky.social If you like walking books as well as history and stories of characters from the past this is thoroughly recommended.

Thankyou. It was good to be able to shine a light on these wondrous public servants. And joyous to have an excuse to walk in their footsteps through some of the most beautiful parts of Britain.

Tonight (Monday October 27th 2025) at 10pm on BBC2. The brilliant Leonard and Hungry Paul from @ronanhession.bsky.social

Alan says a temporary farewell.

I am going to take a break from social media for a while. I'll pop back with any important news (or pictures of really cute kittens), but in the meantime, thanks for your continued support and stay well - Alan.

Chief Mouser: The Post Office Cats - The Postal Museum Post Office Cats actually got paid to do their jobs. Find out what that work en-tailed here.

"These servants of the State are frequently unreliable, capricious in their duties and liable to prolonged absenteeism," - March 1953 and boss David Gamman testifies to MPs about the Post Office's laziest employees: Cats
share.google/f6XlKH3ZjfQK...

One of many delightful days during my meetings with current and former posties!

Also, good to see an article about @postalpathsguy.bsky.social’s excellent book The Postal Paths in the same issue

Nice to see! I'm being sent a copy but good to know it's now out.

The Hundred Year Stone in Derwentwater #Cumbria UK. Created by artist Peter Randall-Page to mark the centenary of the National Trust.

A belated tip of the pen to World Letter Writing Day... a bit of fun from an illustrated letter to my nephew Henry.

In case of a letter writing emergency, break open beautiful correspondence from Member No. 999… (lovely post always comes to the rescue and saves the day!) ☺️🚨✉️ @postalpathsguy.bsky.social

Peter Rabbit almanac showing Peter on the cover as a postman

Rare editions of books by Peter Rabbit author Beatrix Potter are coming up.for auction including this almanac featuring Postman Peter Rabbit...
issuu.com/jammdesign/d...

Postman Sam Parker outside his hut. Date: 1920s?

My thanks to Dr Baldwin for sending me this archive picture of postman Sam Parker outside his postman's hut in Churchill and Blakedown, Worcestershire. Sam rested here and also repaired boots at the hut as a way to earn extra money. #UKHistory

Bookshop with three copies of The Postal Paths proudly displayed on the shelves

Bookshop owners tell me they always know if an author or any of his relatives have been into the bookshop. I wonder if this Jersey bookshop realises my brother is on holiday there this week?!

Walking down the peat-cutters path in Eskdale #Cumbria towards the village of Boot.