Eek! A week?

After receiving my passport back late last Friday, I've travelled to Hamburg on business (and, sadly, probably my last business trip with my employer, as I prepare to transition out of my current roles and leave the organisation in a month), and I'm currently enjoying staying in a beautiful and very calming city.

That didn't stop me waking up with a start at 4am and hollering "Bugg*r" to myself as I realised I'm off to Moscow in just over a week ... it hadn't quite set in that I'm leaving quite so soon so, calming Hamburg influences notwithstanding, I'm considering descending into mild personal panic.

This weekend will, I think, be spent purchasing and packing in preparation!

It's almost as though people know I'm readying myself as well, as I received the following lovely missive from HSBC:

To:	Mark
Subject:	Charges for ATM usage abroad
Date:	08 Jul 2008
Message:	We're writing to let you know that from 9 August 2008, our ATM transaction fee for overseas cash machine withdrawals using a debit card will increase from 1.5% (minimum £1.75) to 2.0% (minimum £1.75). Also on 9 August 2008 we'll be introducing a cap of £5.00 on these charges. This means no matter how large the amount you withdraw, you won't pay more than £5.00 for one transaction. Did you know that ATM transaction fees do not apply to overseas cash withdrawals by Bank Account Plus customers? Click on 'Current Accounts' and then 'Bank Account Plus' to find out more. Thank you for banking with HSBC.

£5.oo? How terribly kind. Thank you, HSBC ... I do so enjoy contributing to your distributable profits!

Oh, as for that passport of mine, it's firmly locked in the hotel safe, and it's staying there!