50 Days To The World Cup: Day 4

We’re on to the penultimate day of our World Cup countdown, with our attention moving to the hosts of the competition, Brazil. The Brazilian national team have all the experience necessary to win the competition, so could their latest generation of players rise to the occasion and win it for the locals? If you’re interested in sending a parcel to Brazil, you can do so here at RAND. We provide competitive rates that make parcel delivery services simple and affordable.

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The Brazilian national team will arrive at the tournament as hosts and there’s probably never been a better time for them to get their hands on the trophy. A lot is expected of their star names, especially the tournament poster boy Neymar. So where exactly are they at this present time and could they be considered the tournament favourites? Here are their pros and cons:

Pros

Firstly they are hosting the competition, which has proven to be a significant factor in previous World Cup tournaments. They’ve got an abundance of talent available as well, from Neymar to the likes of Lucas Moura, Hulk and Willian. Home support plays a vital role in any tournament, so if they can deal with the pressure they are certainly capable of going all the way.

Cons

The pressure could get too much for them, to the point where they simply can’t cope with the threat of Spain, Argentina and Germany. They may also feel pressurised to play a certain way, considering their young and flamboyant squad seem devoted to playing flair football whilst ignoring defensive organisation.

50 Days To The World Cup: Day 2

It’s our second day of looking at some of the favourites for the World Cup in Brazil, which is now only a few months away. They’ve dominated the world of football for the last four years and are the current World Champions after winning the tournament in 2010. They also won the European Championships in both 2008 and 2012 and possess some of the greatest footballers of a generation. They are of course, Spain.

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The Spanish national team introduced a brand of football that inspired clubs and countries across the world. They are widely respected for their attractive, fast-flowing approach to the game. So what are Spain’s pros and cons when it comes to their World Cup challenge in Brazil?

Pros

They’ve managed to win the last three major tournaments that they’ve been involved in, excluding the Confederations Cup, so they certainly have the pedigree to go on and win it. You’d certainly be a brave individual to bet against them at this stage, with the likes of David Silva, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro and the prolific Diego Costa in their squad.

Cons

In all honesty, there aren’t many. It’s possible that Barcelona’s recent dip in form might influence a lacklustre performance in the World Cup this time around, whilst there are a few teams capable of putting up a fight against them, including the host nation Brazil.

If you’re interested in sending a parcel to Spain, why not get a quote today from us here at RAND?

50 Days To The World Cup: Join The Build Up With RAND!

We’re approaching 50 days until the World Cup begins in Brazil this year, so we thought it might be a good idea to have a look at some of the pros and cons of each country participating in the historic football event. Many of the countries taking part are also part of our international parcel delivery service here at RAND, so if you’re interested in sending parcels abroad, make sure you choose RAND in the future!

Argentina are lucky enough to have one of the greatest footballers in history in their ranks; Lionel Messi. Having said that, the playmaker has rarely shone on the international stage and many have questioned whether or not he can step up to his usual expected performances this time around.

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Pros

They have the devotion to succeed in South America and to win it in Brazil would be something all the players and fans would cherish. Along with Lionel Messi, Argentina have some of the greatest forwards in the game to choose form, including Lavezzi, Aguero and Higuain.

Cons

Whilst they have an incredibly strong forward line, they are seriously lacking in defence. Ezequiel Garay and Martin Demichelis offer the experience but their quality is nothing compared to some of the other faces you’ll see at this year’s tournament.

We provide an unrivalled parcel delivery service to Argentina here at RAND, so get your affordable quote and start sending gifts to friends and family abroad with ease. It’s that simple!

Tips for Fragile Items Final Day

This week we have been giving ideas and tips on how to send fragile packages abroad without them breaking, so in our final day we’ll have a brief recap. As a first class worldwide courier, RAND Logistics provides a huge range of delivery options for fragile parcels, heavy parcels or even parcels sent via eBay.

Wrapping

Bubble wrap is preferable although tissue paper does work well if you don’t have time for bubble wrap or if you don’t want to splash out on it. When wrapping more than one item, remember to wrap each item individually and then wrap the two together.

Delivery

With full parcel tracking you can follow step by step progress of your parcel from pickup to delivery, to ensure that it reaches its destination safely. You can also choose recorded delivery so that the recipient has to sign for it when it arrives, to confirm that the addressee actually receives the parcel.

Packaging

Choose a box that is only slightly bigger than your item so that the item does not get knocked about in transit, and so that you can pack it tightly with wrapping.

 

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Choosing various types of delivery, such as next day delivery or parcel express, reduces the chances of the parcel getting knocked about or damaged because it reduces the time the parcel spends in transit.

Tips for Fragile Items Day 4

Whether you are sending a single object of sentimental value to a friend or relative abroad or you are an eBay seller who has set up shop selling exquisite and fragile items, sending fragile items abroad can be quite stressful, as you may be constantly worrying about the condition of your item.

Although it is ultimately out of your hands, ensuring that the item is well packaged and correctly labelled can really help to prevent accidents in transit.

Finding the Right Packaging

It is no use sending your parcel out in a box that is far too big for it. Although you may have thought you packed it tightly, unforeseen circumstances can bash and bat at the box and cause the item inside to break.

[rand] box blogChoose a box that is only slightly bigger than your item that you can pad with secure packaging, but does not allow the item to move around at all.

In most cases, re-using old shoe boxes or cartons is recommended, however if you are sending a fragile and valuable item, it is better to buy new boxes as these will be more reinforced than used boxes. Boxes with double corrugated walls are best, and these can be found in most local post offices.

For excellent delivery options including tracking options and guaranteed 1-3 day delivery worldwide, choose RAND Logistics.

Tips for Fragile Items Day 3

Pottery is widely known throughout the modern world as an ancient and beautiful art. Although many European countries have crafted countless beautiful ceramic pieces, ancient Chinese pottery is among some of the most stunning pieces we can find today, and they make great souvenirs.

In order to send a fragile parcel to a friend or relative without it breaking, there are various measures you can undertake to ensure that it reaches its destination safely.

Recorded Delivery

It might sound a little too good to be true, but recorded delivery acts as a means of insurance should your parcel ever get stuck or never make its way to the recipient at all. Tracking options and recorded delivery options will allow you to see where your parcel is at each step of the journey, and this can really help if your parcel was not delivered and you are trying to make a claim.

[rand] tracking options blogPlus Tracking Options provide piece of mind for those who would like regular updates on the progress of their parcel. This is particularly helpful if you happen to be sending a valuable parcel, as recorded delivery and tracking options place special emphasis on the parcel for the couriers, so they are far more likely to take care when delivering it.

If you were thinking of sending a parcel to China, choose RAND Logistics for the very best in modern courier services.

Tips for Fragile Items Day 2

Italy is well known for its beautiful glass pieces, and it can be difficult to send fragile parcels and packages abroad, however with a world class courier service and some helpful hints and tips, you can minimize the risks.

[rand] express post blogChoosing the Right Service

There are several different delivery services provided by RAND, so it may help depending on how fragile your parcel is, to spend more money on fast delivery times. You may be thinking that speedier delivery could encourage couriers to be careless and therefore the parcel may have a higher chance of breaking but this isn’t actually the case.

In fact, because of express delivery times, the time in transit is significantly reduced, so there is a lower chance of it being broken in transit. The longer the parcel sits in the warehouse or on the van, the higher the chances of something happening to it.

With first class delivery services worldwide at competitive rates, RAND Logistics can provide a variety of guaranteed door-to-door delivery options available, depending on how fragile your parcel is and how urgently your recipient needs it. Contact us today or try our quick quote form for an instant quote.

Celebrating Easter in the UK

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On our final day of looking at how Easter is celebrated across the world, we concentrate on the traditional Easter celebrations in the UK. With a large Christian population in the UK, Easter is celebrated in various different ways. The traditional pagan aspects of Easter are also adopted by the vast majority of the population in the UK. Here are some of the things you might expect to notice throughout the upcoming Easter weekend in a typical British household.

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There is a special service carried out in by most parishes on both Good Friday and Easter Sunday to commemorate the events of Jesus’ death and resurrection. On Good Friday, Catholics do not sing hymns at mass and leave the church in silence.

Easter Sunday is a day of celebration across the country, regardless of your religious background. Most Christians will visit church in the morning to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, whilst Christians and non-Christians alike typically follow pagan traditions by organising Easter egg hunts for the children and giving out chocolate eggs to one another as gifts.

The vast majority of working organisations are closed down for a long weekend, spanning from the end of Thursday to the beginning of Tuesday. Hardly any shops are open on Easter Sunday, with limited public transport available as well. It is a quiet day that encourages families to get together and celebrate the bank holiday weekend.

For more on RAND’S unrivalled delivery service throughout the UK and abroad, get in touch today. We’d be delighted to hear from you!

Celebrating Easter in Italy

On the penultimate day of looking at various Easter traditions across the world, we’re focusing on how the Christian festival is celebrated in Italy. If you need to send a parcel to Italy, why not make the most of our services here at RAND?

Italy has a huge catholic population with a significant portion of Italians prioritising a visit to church every Sunday. There are plenty of unique traditions held throughout the Easter week in Italy. Here’s what you might expect to see if you’re visiting the country during this time.

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For most Italians, Good Friday is a hugely symbolic day. Ceremonies are hosted in cities across the country, commemorating the death of Jesus and his road to crucifixion.  Some of these processions may include symbolic dress to represent the events of Jesus’ death, such as Roman costumes.

Good Friday is, like in many other countries, a sombre day. Churches throughout Italy won’t ring their bells from this day until Jesus’ resurrection. The Pope’s Easter message also takes place on Easter Sunday from the Vatican.

On the Saturday, Italians usually prepare for Easter Sunday by decorating the home and cooking food. Some Christians will attend church in the evening, although the day is usually seen as one of rest and reflection. Easter Sunday is a day of celebration whereby families gather and enjoy a large traditional meal. They also incorporate the inherited pagan traditions of having Easter eggs and other sweets on the Sunday.

 

 

Celebrating Easter in Bangladesh

We’re at the halfway point of our Easter week here at RAND, and today we’re looking at how Easter is celebrated traditionally in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is home to many different religions, including Christianity, Islam and Hindu. Whilst Christians recognise Holy Week as any other Christian would, many of the other religions will also get involved with the celebrations. Here are some of the traditional Easter festivities that take place in Bangladesh.

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Easter Sunday is not yet regarded as a national holiday in Bangladesh despite opposition from Christians throughout the country. The Muslim population are believed to be against the idea of having Sunday as the national rest day, which opposes the Muslim calendar.

Despite their differences, the various religions in Bangladesh enjoy celebrating Easter alongside Christians in the country and recognise the symbolic event of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Christians will often celebrate Easter by sharing sweets, chocolate and other treats amongst the family and with other non-Christians. The church service usually takes place in the morning on Easter Sunday, with parents dressing their children in new clothes to symbolise the special occasion.

We provide a parcel delivery service to Bangladesh here at RAND, so if you want to send a gift abroad, make sure you get a quote from us today!