I know currency exchanges at the airport are not the best places to buy and sell, but at Manchester this morning with a spot rate of $1.66 the rate there was $1.38. A difference of 18 cents to the £ is taking the mickey.

Isn't that 28 cents?

sshhhh - it's been a long day - he was nearly there

I was only gone a week, and did not exchange any money in advance. I did buy a "pint" of Stella in the airport at Dublin yesterday. Eu 5.60 for approx a half pint, and since I only had a tenner sterling, it was gbp 5.60, with eu 4.40 as change!!
A full pint in a pub in Bristol the day before, was gbp 3.45. Last time I was there 5 years ago, I seem to recall gbp 2.50. Gone to the dogs it has

Which is why I use a credit card for everything I possibly can when travelling. There might be an excess fee of 2-3%, but that's a bargain compared to the exchange rates that banks and BDCs use.

Good to know you were having a great time right to the end.

So do I or in my case a Natwest debit card, so I don't get hit with any exchange rate. Just commenting on the airport rate and JG was rate it is 28 cents difference. I don't do well getting up at 6am.