Pound to the €uro

kteee · Post by **kteee** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 6:28 pm

The market rate is up to 1.11 today

destroyer · Post by **destroyer** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 6:52 pm

.. which is good new I hope but it does beg the question what's going on in the High Street.

TomUK · Post by **TomUK** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 6:52 pm

Just booked yesterday for a trip out on 2nd May - here's hoping the rate continues to improve (although we're not holding our breath!).

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 6:54 pm

Understand that the reason for the (slight) improvement is an expectation that the Euro Bank will reduce interest rates soon. But if the Bank of England reduces rates on Thursday we could be back to square one.

Mike,Chislehurst · Post by **Mike,Chislehurst** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 7:07 pm

I think the expectation of the BOE reducing rates is already built into todays rate. If the BOE don't reduce, then it will go a few cents higher. Anyone noticed in town any special offers from the bars and restaurants yet for us poor suffering Brits?

dodger · Post by **dodger** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:54 pm

Why would they reduce the prices just because one country is suffering??
Pretty sure I wouldn't if I had a business,still have the euro countries and the brits who wish to pay to rely on.

e-richard · Post by **e-richard** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 12:22 am

I heard that one enterprising owner put a box of tissues on the bar so that whenever a whinging Brit said "How many pounds for that pint?" he could give them a tissue to wipe away the tears

MaisieK · Post by **MaisieK** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 4:05 pm

We returned home on the 15th January having been at Rocha Brava since the 27th December. I have to say that eating out and coffee out was terribly expensive, the problem being for Brits. is it is a double whammy, prices have gone up in Portugal and of course the exchange rate we were working on £1 to 1 Euro. We had coffee in a very ordinary pub in Praia da Luz, four black coffees 8 Euros, I came out and thought am I mad paying £8 for 4 coffees!!! On another occasion in Carvoeiro we were out for an evening meal in a very ordinary restuarant and I fancied a Prawn Cocktail to start £8.20 we don`t pay that much in the U.K. We shall just have to eat out less, what a shame

Maisie

EMM · Post by **EMM** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 6:56 pm

E2 for a coffee it must have been somewhere very special.
Hemingways. E1.40 and the coffee bar at Monte Carvoerio last time we went their it was E1.
Chicken Piri Piri lunch in silves main course lunch E5.50 incl salad.

One of the positive sides of the decline in sterling is that we are now looking around more and just not going to our usual places.

Instead of having a drink after golf at the bar where where we play we nowdrive down the road and find somwhere for at least 40% less.

MaisieK · Post by **MaisieK** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:42 pm

I agree EMM we are now looking inland for better prices but the coffee we had was just in a very ordinary pub, nothing special about it at all. We have always found Chicken Piri Piri in Silves to be good value.

Maisie

norbri · Post by **norbri** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:13 pm

£8.20 for a prawn cocktail ! and within site of the sea ? It is sad but with the current exchange rate and increases in price of eating out I shall miss my trip to CVO this year. I do hope things turn back around a little for next year.

dodger · Post by **dodger** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:28 am

Jeez £8.20?! What is the price of a pint of sagres/superbock at the moment?3-3.50 euro I would be guessing,I'm I anywhere near?

I and 11 other guys are over for 5 nights golf in June and already plans are being made to save cash,usually after the golf in the afternoon it's home showered and out for food all 12 around a table followed by many beers but we are sadly looking at bbq's at our villa with beer bought from the intermarche then going out for a few in town,now this is obviously taking money away from the good people that own pubs/eateries but it's something we need to be thinking on as a saving of say £25 a day makes a big difference.If the euro was to return to the heady days of 70p we would most likely eat and drink out everynight but cannot see it being any better than 90p if that t all and prices of 3.50euro a pint and £8.20 a prawn cocktail will see us eat in the villa for at least 3 of the nights I would think.

EMM · Post by **EMM** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 12:30 pm

It is certainly the way to save money, providing you avoid buying " UK " brands the costs are still reasonable.
There are always deals on wine and beer at Intermarche or Pao et sucar,
The " in town " supermarkets do cater for the tourist trade and prices reflect this but any where on the outskirts is better value.

Supporting the smaller local shops is just as beneficial for the local economy .

We have gone from 3-4 nights/week out to average of 2.

EMM · Post by **EMM** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:09 pm

I ahve been looking at Fwd buying and some sites are offering almost E1.17 /£1 for August delivery.

My question is how reliable are these companies, How safe is your money??.
What do you look when you are seeking assurances ??

pat strong · Post by **pat strong** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 2:01 pm

When we forward bought some years ago, we did this via our U.K bank as we felt it was the safest way. However, we have just sold and are now selling euros to convert to UK £s. We went to a large currency dealer, (though I do not know if they do small amounts). Apparently these companies are FSA registered, but are regulated by customs and excise. They also provided a letter from their bank and said it was o.k. to contact them. I did this and also discovered that all client funds go to a client account. I felt confident that I had done everything I could. Hope this helps. Pat

Pound to the €uro

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Pound to the Euro