This is a matter which now seemed to be demanding my attention. I have banked with the "helpful" bank, Natwest, for about fifteen years now, so decided to pop in and see how "helpful" they were going to be with getting money out to Spain on a regular basis. Any guesses what comes next? It seems "helpful" was on extended leave, and not due back to work for quite some time. Instead, I got to talk to "unhelpful". Whilst out in Spain, I went into a few banks, just to find out how things would work transferring money out on a regular basis. Banco Santander lived up to their reputation with zeal. After standing there like an idiot, waiting till the one clerk on duty could be bothered to push the button to allow me through the door, she took great pleasure in explaining to me, in perfect English of course, how much everything would cost if I darkened their doorstep again. And if I didn't quite understand everything she'd said, I could take a nice, shiney leaflet from the rack on the wall. They don't even communicate with their UK branches, so I found out later. "Our systems are not linked at the moment". Don't think I'll bother. Across the road I went, not a very happy bunny at all. My wife had left me to carry this baby while she was topping up her tan by the pool. The CAM bank next. I could have an account, for the "bargain price" of 30 euros a year. ( I have just realised my nice new laptop does not have an immediately obvious euro sign on the keyboard, hmmm, one for later). They would quite happily transfer money from a UK bank, without charge on their part, would have to ask my own bank at this end. Looks promising, I think. Back to the UK and "unhelpful". Yes, they could do that for me through the CHAPS system, no problem. I just needed the international code for the bank in Spain. Success??? No!!! That will be £17 then sir. For the year I asked, realising the stupidity of the question as it came out. No, per transfer sir, £27 if you need it relatively quickly, which I now take mean if I would like to see it again before England next win the world cup!
Inspiration!! I suddenly remembered talking to a bloke, who had just moved out there. He said he used the Halifax, because they would transfer free of charge to Halifax Espania. But I haven't banked with the Halifax for years, but I went in on the off chance. We can open you an account, no problem, as long as you have your salary paid into it. Oh dear, never mind. Then, as if by magic, 2 days later, a letter arrived. From the Halifax, no less. Due to the collapse of the banking system in the UK, and their marriage to the Lloyds, the were writing to all their customers who had accounts open, before moving them to the "new" system. My old account that I hadn't used for years was still open! No money in it though. So down I went, 10 minutes and a coffee later, a new set of cards and internet banking password were winging their way to me. We'll see where this one goes in a few weeks, knowing my luck the free transfers will stop. Enough typing for today, but before I go, and before I get lots of comments about the euro sign on the keyboard, I have found it. Only took me about five minutes to get it to work. Give it another two or three years and I'll be able to work the washing machine as well!