Alan Cleaver
@postalpathsguy.bsky.social
Author of books on UK footpaths. My book, Postal Paths, is due out April 2025 detailing the route used by rural postmen and women in the 19th and 20th Centuries. I live in Cumbria, UK. Follow me if you love walking footpaths. https://linktr.ee/postalpaths
Pinned
Alan Cleaver
@postalpathsguy.bsky.social
· Nov 12
I spend my days walking old postal paths in Britain that were once walked by rural postmen and women. In the evening, I handwrite letters.
The Broomway in Essex is the most dangerous footpath in Britain. It was also once regularly walked by a postman 😱. Only ever walk it with a guide.
BBC News - Amazon delivery van 'stuck on The Broomway after following GPS'
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - Amazon delivery van 'stuck on The Broomway after following GPS'
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Amazon delivery van 'stuck on The Broomway after following GPS'
HM Coastguard Southend says the van driver had been trying to get to Foulness Island.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 10:56 PM
The Broomway in Essex is the most dangerous footpath in Britain. It was also once regularly walked by a postman 😱. Only ever walk it with a guide.
BBC News - Amazon delivery van 'stuck on The Broomway after following GPS'
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - Amazon delivery van 'stuck on The Broomway after following GPS'
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"Ther’ cannot be annuder spot so private an’ so sweet,
As Billy Watson’ lonnin’ of a lownd summer neeght!"
- A 19thC Cumbrian poem celebrates the 'Lovers lonnin' known as Billy Watson's lonnin (= "lane') which still exists in Harrington #ValentinesDay
lakedistrictletters.blogspot.com/2015/03/bill...
As Billy Watson’ lonnin’ of a lownd summer neeght!"
- A 19thC Cumbrian poem celebrates the 'Lovers lonnin' known as Billy Watson's lonnin (= "lane') which still exists in Harrington #ValentinesDay
lakedistrictletters.blogspot.com/2015/03/bill...
February 14, 2026 at 8:25 AM
"Ther’ cannot be annuder spot so private an’ so sweet,
As Billy Watson’ lonnin’ of a lownd summer neeght!"
- A 19thC Cumbrian poem celebrates the 'Lovers lonnin' known as Billy Watson's lonnin (= "lane') which still exists in Harrington #ValentinesDay
lakedistrictletters.blogspot.com/2015/03/bill...
As Billy Watson’ lonnin’ of a lownd summer neeght!"
- A 19thC Cumbrian poem celebrates the 'Lovers lonnin' known as Billy Watson's lonnin (= "lane') which still exists in Harrington #ValentinesDay
lakedistrictletters.blogspot.com/2015/03/bill...
Valentine advice from 19thC Cumbrian postman Sam Hetherington: "Sometimes words written without any thought stick in the throat of those who receive them and tears are shed before they get them over; and like food which is badly cooked, it does them no good but harm.” #ValentinesDay
February 12, 2026 at 8:27 AM
Valentine advice from 19thC Cumbrian postman Sam Hetherington: "Sometimes words written without any thought stick in the throat of those who receive them and tears are shed before they get them over; and like food which is badly cooked, it does them no good but harm.” #ValentinesDay
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...
February 4, 2026 at 3:32 PM
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...
Reposted by Alan Cleaver
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.
Always exciting when it's new book time. Tonight it's a new audiobook and I plumped for The Postal Paths by Alan Cleaver.
January 28, 2026 at 8:13 PM
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.
A couple of pages from the notebook I kept while researching The Postal Paths book.
January 11, 2026 at 11:09 AM
A couple of pages from the notebook I kept while researching The Postal Paths book.
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-...
January 9, 2026 at 6:16 PM
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...
www.amazon.co.uk/Postal-Paths...
January 6, 2026 at 4:55 PM
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...
www.amazon.co.uk/Postal-Paths...
"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...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
‘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
www.theguardian.com
December 30, 2025 at 8:24 AM
"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...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
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).
(Illustration: Trina Schart Hyman - from Dylan Thomas's A Child's Christmas in Wales).
December 22, 2025 at 11:58 AM
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).
(Illustration: Trina Schart Hyman - from Dylan Thomas's A Child's Christmas in Wales).
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 😉?
December 18, 2025 at 5:16 PM
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 😉?
Who would your last letter be to? And what would it say? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
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?
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Who would your last letter be to? And what would it say? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
The village in the Grand Canyon, America, where the post is still delivered by mule...
share.google/PiioSHoqUGNu...
share.google/PiioSHoqUGNu...
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...
share.google
December 3, 2025 at 8:38 AM
The village in the Grand Canyon, America, where the post is still delivered by mule...
share.google/PiioSHoqUGNu...
share.google/PiioSHoqUGNu...
Reposted 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.
December 1, 2025 at 7:24 PM
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.
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...
The Translator’s Funeral, a new short story by Rónán Hession
Part of the New Irish Writing series
www.irishtimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:46 PM
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...
Reposted by Alan Cleaver
#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.
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.
November 15, 2025 at 12:26 PM
#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.
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.
Tonight (Monday October 27th 2025) at 10pm on BBC2. The brilliant Leonard and Hungry Paul from @ronanhession.bsky.social
October 27, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Tonight (Monday October 27th 2025) at 10pm on BBC2. The brilliant Leonard and Hungry Paul from @ronanhession.bsky.social
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.
October 2, 2025 at 7:40 AM
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.
"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...
share.google/f6XlKH3ZjfQK...
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.
share.google
September 3, 2025 at 5:04 PM
"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...
share.google/f6XlKH3ZjfQK...
Reposted by Alan Cleaver
Also, good to see an article about @postalpathsguy.bsky.social’s excellent book The Postal Paths in the same issue
September 2, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Also, good to see an article about @postalpathsguy.bsky.social’s excellent book The Postal Paths in the same issue
A belated tip of the pen to World Letter Writing Day... a bit of fun from an illustrated letter to my nephew Henry.
September 1, 2025 at 9:56 PM
A belated tip of the pen to World Letter Writing Day... a bit of fun from an illustrated letter to my nephew Henry.
Reposted by Alan Cleaver
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
August 27, 2025 at 9:11 AM
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
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...
issuu.com/jammdesign/d...
August 26, 2025 at 9:22 PM
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...
issuu.com/jammdesign/d...
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
August 24, 2025 at 11:55 AM
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