Postcard from Tahiti arrives 50 years late

THE Australian postal service has apologised for delivering a postcard more than half a century late.

A couple from Adelaide found the faded postcard, from the French Polynesian island of Tahiti, resting on their doorstep.

It bore a postmark of 1966 and was addressed to “Robert Giorgio,” according to the Adelaide Advertiser.

The postcard, written by someone named “Chris”, reads: “[I am] enjoying myself greatly. The weather is very humid ... I’ll try and drop you a note in England.”

It is understood to have been sent to the original owner of the house, an Italian who built it in 1963 whose whereabouts are unknown.

“It took a while to realise it was an old one,” said Tim Duffy, who bought the house 18 months ago with his wife, Claire. “Then I checked the post date and it’s 1966.

“It’s fresh enough although it is a bit faded and it’s got some damage to the top left, which looks like a bit of water damage.”

Mr Duffy handed the letter back to Australia Post, which issued an apology.

“It is clear something went wrong 50 years ago after the postcard was posted in French Polynesia, and we apologise for the inconvenience,” a spokesman said.

“Australia Post takes great pride in the timely, safe and efficient delivery of mail and we are confident that the vast majority of mail and parcels arrive on time.”