Embassy Experience

I second Gould's Pharmacy, convenient and cheap.

Sucks about last min train ticket costs. We got them cheaper because we were able to get an apt booked well in advanced and bought our tickets soon after. Although for you, it sounds like driving was the better option anyway.

Glad you got it all done and sorted.

It took me a bit of searching, but here's a pic of the envelope I was given for my passport at the post office:

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/images/special_delivery.gif

I just went in and described what I was told to get, and the man was reaching for it before I was even done describing it.  It was also under 5 GBP.

I'm only posting this in case it's helpful for someone else.  I'm sorry the OP had to pay so much for her passport to be returned!

It took me a bit of searching, but here's a pic of the envelope I was given for my passport at the post office:

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/images/special_delivery.gif

I just went in and described what I was told to get, and the man was reaching for it before I was even done describing it.  It was also under 5 GBP.

I'm only posting this in case it's helpful for someone else.  I'm sorry the OP had to pay so much for her passport to be returned!

That's very helpful. Thank you.