But today it was offering only EGP4000. This still being better than the other machines in the area, I accepted. The cash was duly delivered. But instead of the customary EGP200 notes it provided a thick wad of EGP100 notes. All well and good - it is a more useful denomination for general use, as small change is not easy to find.
Then I had a thought. Would it let me withdraw another EGP4000? The answer was in the affirmative, and the 2nd wad was squeezed into my bulging wallet.
So the reason for the lower offering is down to the ability of the ATM to count and dispense a maximum of 40 notes in one transaction. A useful bit of information which I freely share with you.
To celebrate I visited the nearby Kam Thai for dinner. Thai fishcakes were available for the first time since New Year, and the accompanying dipping sauce had changed: instead of red curry paste there was a freshly made sauce that included sliced red chilli, onion, cucumber, garlic, coriander, peanuts and a vinegar base that was obviously sweetened. It was very good.
You can see from the picture of the Pad Thai that fresh cutlery is not provided with each course. This is quite normal in oriental restaurants, and not a problem.