techman,
Doing it at the moment - should have redeemed my ebs mortgage last thursday but the idiots delayed forwarding a redemption figure to my solicitor so it should go through today at last.
nib customer service seems okay - I was getting agreement over Christmas which wasn't ideal but it has been relatively stress free.
Haven't got the money for the legal fees yet.
I intend posting the whole experience, including the costs involved, when everything's in.
Suspect your distance from nib branch should not be an issue - it took me two visits but it could have been done in one.