I will be 34 when I finish and personally, I don't think I had what it takes to complete a PhD ten years ago.

I just had a similar discussion with my sup. Because of the stress i've been ill and I was trying to explain to her that the balance I need in life was gone and that it felt like it was all PhD and no life. My sup told me they warned me for this and that I should have expected it and once again stressed how I would need to put in a lot more hours than somebody that actually has a life and (literarily) have no lunch breaks. How's that for a useful, constructive answer! I am more than willing to put in the hard work and long hours when needed (I didn't get to this point sitting on my bum all day). But I refuse to walk the 60-hours a week line because it is supposed to be part of the package. I am still convinced one can actually enjoy doing a PhD, but with the stuck up attitude of research workaholics I have met over the past few months, I'm starting to wonder.

I had the exact same problem. Ended up having the same HSBC account as you. After having made a big fuss and waving a Barclays card in front of them (I opened one of those stupid basic accounts with them as well), HSBC upgraded me to a fee free bank account with maestro (so I can use the card on the continent). This was after three months. Have cancelled Barclays though as it was useless on the continent. I had the feeling the only thing they had to do was show their good will and enter me as professional into their system instead of student. That made a big difference as to what type account they "can offer us".
Make a fuss and good luck.

I used to see my first supervisor at least once a week, which completely freaked me out. Sensing that things were not going right, my supervisor upped the meetings to twice a week, which made me go insane. Thinking that was the normal procedure (supervisor has same approach with fellow PhDstudent), I was wondering how I was going to keep up with this very stressful relationship. I will propose to meet about once a month max and email in between when needed. I think it all depends on what frequency you feel comfortable with. Some people need/want weekly meetings, others are fine just meeting once every couple of months. I would say, speak to your supervisor about it! Good luck!

Hmm, that's exactly my concern. Would I make things worse and isolate myself even more if I move away? I would have my life back, be able to buy a house and be happy personally...and that might be just what I need to get going again.
The only thing I do know is that what I'm doing now is not working. I'm too stressed and am not getting anything done at all.

verdy - I see what you mean, but I would be doing the PhD full-time off-campus. I would consider that to be sitting on only one chair, with full commitment to the PhD, with the only difference being living in a different country.
emilyowl - I think you are right about feeling happy where you work. It brings much needed balance! And I think that is exactly what I am missing. Too much PhD, too little life!
Tortellini - please keep me posted on your experience! I would love to hear how you find the off-campus experience.
I will definitely bring up the subject next week with my supervisors and hope we can come to some sort of agreement.

Does anyone on this forum have experience with an off campus PhD? What are your thoughts about not being in academic department while doing research? I should add I'm doing social research with data collection in my home country, so no lab required.
P.S.: my alternative is to quit and look for a job again.

I'm only in the fourth month of my PhD in London and I'm having great difficulties adjusting to student life abroad. I'm a mature student and quit my job and moved country to do this PhD. I did a research focussed MSc at the same uni, same field of work, same supervisor and I absolutely loved it! I thought this was going to be as amazing, learning how to do research, something I would like to continue. But this time around I feel utterly miserable, have been physically sick and have no clue where al the enthusiasm and passion has gone. I cannot motivate myself and am BORED out of my mind! In addition, the need to settle down has unexpectedly kicked in and I want to do this in my home country. Therefore I was thinking about doing the PhD off campus, in my home country (Europe) and come to London once every month (or more or less) to meet up with my supervisors.