Not normal in modern times, but this is what I experienced as well.
Domain was registered on 02 January 2007 with 123-reg. Letter from Nominet then received in April 2007 with date 30 March 2007. Email - never received (is this something to eat?).
I don't know what they do for a living, administer spare time?
At least they worked well to have the domain registered through 123-reg, and this is all I wanted.
