Quote from: Graham on August 24, 2026, 11:41:43 PM3. Wise or Revolut cards, often the best exchange rate available, as Chris explained.

One of the key things about what I wanted to say on Wise was that it does not even need to involve their card. To collect money it just generates bank account details in the sending parties country's banking system that you share with them (I suppose you could call it a kind of "collection account") so that they only need make a domestic transfer. And to send money it is similarly super simple,

Cheers,

Colin.

I have used TorFX.com for the past 10 years. Competitive rates and works efficiently in both directions. No per transaction charge.
 

Quote from: Newportnobby on August 24, 2026, 12:02:46 PMJust checked with Australia Post and get the same week old info I get from the UK

It can take a week before the Australia Post tracking service picks up the trace after the parcel leaves UK. It's always worked for me. Average door-to-door time about 16 days. I have the advantage of an Australia Post on-line account. That automatically notifies me when they have a parcel destined for me.
 

107 degrees today!

It's been 100-107 for weeks and our fire truck's AC has been broken since June 26!! see

The RM tracking system normally states the package is leaving the UK, and there is a link to take you to the receiving country's system.
This works really well for packages from most of the UK retailers.

I thought it was just me, now I can see it is a forum issue.
Will have to push those donations.

There are a number of ways to do this.
1. bank to bank transfer the sender will need all the details of your account to receive the money, including the SWIFT code. In Australia, and if it is the first time for a transfer between the 2 accounts, it normally takes 24hrs after you load the details for it to be sent to the recipient, this gives the sender time to retract it if there is a problem. Exchange rate not the best and could be other charges.

2. PayPal, all the sender needs is the recipient PayPal account. Exchange rate not great, but no other charges. I have recently used this to pay Revolution for spares, @njee for Pendolino wheel sets and C-Rail for some new wagons, works really well.

3. Wise or Revolut cards, often the best exchange rate available, as Chris explained.

I thought bird tables were designed so cats can't get on/in them. Bertie has proved that theory wrong yet again. I've seen him in another bird table (we have 3) before but not this freestanding one:



He woke up when I approached but stayed there for at least a couple of hours:

Quote from: Tank on August 24, 2026, 06:45:48 PMOh no! 

There were some updates that were completed, but I guess one knocked out the alert package.  I'll have to wait until more donations meet the quota for the month before getting someone to look into it.

I'll donate some lolly immediately or sooner.

Toodle-pip

John

Oh no! 

There were some updates that were completed, but I guess one knocked out the alert package.  I'll have to wait until more donations meet the quota for the month before getting someone to look into it.