As I read your note I do feel saddened. It seems more and more I hear that people are trying to escape the UK...what a sad state of play. I feel so lucky to even be given the chance to apply to live in a beautiful country like Canada and can only hope that the powers that be will give us that chance by agreeing to let us in. Like I said above, we live in Hampshire, a nice county. But here I see unpleasant things happening and feel more worried about my son going out with his friends. I work in our local town, a small(ish) place which, when we moved here 4 years ago, seemed like a sleepy town mostly populated by older people. Now it seems we have families moving in that are just rough. They all hang about in town, some at the local pub and I hear their swearing and mums telling their toddlers to 'shut it' when they are crying. Nice. Sometimes I pop into town when I'm not working and could be there at 9.30-10am...there will be a group of them sitting outside the pub with a pint of lager! I've just had my breakfast and they're already drinking alcohol. Still, I don't want to sound like I'm quoting the Daily Mail. I'm trying to stay positive because if, for whatever reason, we are not accepted then we'll have to make the most of this place. Goodness knows, I hope we are able to get to Canada.

I wish you well with your move to retire there. I hope it's the best thing you ever do and from what I have seen, I just know it will be.