Category: General

I am about to move a large amount of money from the UK to the USA, the proceeds of the sale of my house in Wales.

Normally when we send money back and forth in the past we have just moved it from a conventional bank in either country to the other end inside the banking system, however, as you probably all know they give a crap exchange rate and  charge transfer fees, wiping the manager’s butt fees and anything else they can think of at the time fees.  As we were only sending relatively small amounts we always just wore it, cursed, grimaced, moaned and bitched and paid!

However, this is a good six figure sum and we note these FX companies do not appear to charge half as much fees and give a better rate to boot.  As many of you are ex pats does anyone have any comments or recommendations to make on this subject?  Any pitfalls for the unwary?

Comments would be appreciated.

Sorry to upset everyone’s day, but I’ve just discovered this on the DT.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/cultural-olympiad/9414091/London-2012-Spice-Girls-to-reunite-for-Olympics-Closing-Ceremony.html

Bugger the Olympics, settle down with some beer and popcorn for some real sporting action.

 

Picture:  Daily Telegraph.

Can England keep their number one ranking?  Can South Africa knock them off the top spot?  Weather permitting – and allowing for the fact that, for whatever reason, the powers that be have decided to make this a three Test series rather than the five tests they should be playing – shake hands, Ladies and Gentlemen, and come out fighting.  May the best team win.  (And may South Africa come second 🙂  )

The Olympics are an issue
On which we can’t agree.
I make no bones about it
And no apology.
Continue reading “Olympic rant (for Mr. Mackie)”

Firstly, my thanks to OZ for awarding me the crown of olives in the last pome competition. My congratulations to all the other entrants for their splendid and, as Oz says, varied takes on his topic. I feel sure that I am speaking for Aunties Ara and Bilby when I say that we can all be grateful that Ethel appears to have been satisfied, albeit possibly only temporarily,  by our offerings on the altar of Art. 

You all know what’s coming next, topic-wise. Continue reading “Citius, Altius, Fortius (New Pome Competition)”

I thank cherished colleagues for their erudite and witty responses to the pome comp.  I had hoped to make the judging, ahem, swift, but have rather been overtaken by events. Anyhow, here goes in order of publication:-

Continue reading “New Pome Comp – RESULTS”

With apologies to Thomas Babington Macauley

Aeneas of the ‘topless towers’,
By Helen’s choice laid waste.
Fled the ruin, death and fire
And westward sailed in haste.
To Dido came and thought to stay,
But duty called at last.
He hurried on and rushed to meet,
The fate his Gods had cast.
Continue reading “A Lay Made About the Year of The City 1 (swiftly cobbled together for OZ)”

I don’t normally pass on stuff, but this one, courtesy of Cheech over on the Dark Side, tickled me.

AWWW

Good for her and a Happy Sunday to my cherished reader.

OZ

I see today that an economically illiterate, inarticulate goon with the communication skills of a baboon has been made UN Special Envoy for Global Education.
Continue reading “The world gone mad”