Thanks for your advice, Cunning Linguist, I'm not surprised at any of it but I simply wanted to know if there had been any major step forward in the prevailing attitudes of 2 years or more ago.

I have in fact pretty well made up my mind to return to UK, as my 'use by' date expired some time ago. Having worked overseas for over 30 years, I'm accustomed to seeing others in my situation. Been around too long but wanting to defer their date with the big silver bird. In the past I've advised many of my former colleagues and associates in other countries to go home and now it's my turn I guess.

Thanks for your advice anyway

Dave