Left Behind

No matter what one says there has to be a tiny pang as one leaves one's country for full settlement in another.

However the recollection of waiting for a bus (even worse than Godot) in the country winter soon takes one back to earth to realise that one's gains are far greater than one's losses.
Amongst the losses are the BBC early news issues, but of course now that I have broadband installed this is less of a worry, due to access on the net. But one cannot help but sorrow over the loss of the personal touch previously provided.

A lesser concern is Stonehenge, sad though I am at not being able to at least drive past it. But I remember being able to walk among the stones so the new regime, although doubtless protecting the stones from vandals, provides less pleasure. So I can discard that also.

The British pub and landlord should have been the biggest loss but for many years I have found that I prefer drinking at a restaurant table or in the house, perhaps since I am not a social animal. So even that does not disturb me.
So, all in all, I am rather pleased to have bitten the bullet and transferred to Asia from the UK. And hence I have to agree with the sentiments expressed by this charming young lady; who is very clearly a good judge of locale and its benefits.

Perhaps the only downside is that my skin colour regrettably leads the real locals to the wholly incorrect assumption that I am merely yet another foolish western tourist.