Might just as well have been the British Mail system slowing it down... in any case it was a lovely surprise! :)

yet always feel slightly embarrassed about resorting to readymade ones
As someone who sent out *one* card, I will not allow you to feel bad! And it's so much fun getting cards from all around the world! At some point (in... 20 years time?) I'll probably get round to reciprocating...