How about a US$ account? For example,
http://www.citibank.co.uk/uk/bankingpro ... /index.jsp
or
http://www.lloydstsb-offshore.com/Produ ... d+Account/
or
http://www.americanexpress.com/uk/tcc/
Also a good option if you frequently purchase from the US... must be at least one new Thor tamper every quarter, non? Or are you going there to get a custom wood suitcase to match your tampers
Of course, if you have family or very very very good friends there, then you can use my banking system. When I visit Vancouver, my eldest sister provides me with cash for spending on incidentals. Of course, when she visits me here, I repay her with euros
Well, almost.... as the "baby sister", I'm pre-destined to spend more than her
Elsewhere, I rely on the ATM/ABM and credit cards... although never for an 11-wk stretch.