I feel a little bit stupid just now, but, looking into the wheel-arch which way do I turn the tie rod knuckle to undo from the steering rack, clockwise or anti?

I'm trying anti-clockwise like a normal nut, but it feels like I could be tightening further. I'm not using the best of tools (molegrips), but they're just biting into the joint.

I've got a 32mm crow-foot spanner on order, just need to know if it unscrews anti-clockwise, as normal.

Leftie loosely, righty tightly   Probably got some loctight on the threads. 
 

I would get the proper tool as it does make it a lot easier. 

Cheers jars, yup! familiar with that rhyme, but I keep looking at the nut from the inside & get the idea that it's opposite. So it's just a normal thread into the rack then. Will wait for the crow-foot. Thanks again.

 

If any thread is showing, shine a light on it. Undoing is "up" the ramp/helterskelter/helix away from the joint.

As @jars said, in my experience of a 2002 Polo and a late 2009 Ibiza. Both TRW steering gear though.