Years ago I was at the ohouse of an old friend fr new years. He had a colleague there, a biochemistry professor from a small town in Lancashire, the only one of of his cohort to leave.

"When I go back I see my childohhod friends.

They ask me what's up.

I tell them I presented a paper at conference in Malaysia. I ask them what's up in return. They'll say 'I got a new fridge. it's grand' "

I asked the prof who he thinks is happier. He didn't hesitate. It wasn't him.

We are sold the galmour of seeing the world, but not told the price of leaving.