I deserted my only parent and that abandonment has stayed with me all my life. It was after I married and, dissatisfied with my work prospects, Ann and I moved 70 miles to Sheffield. Such a move might appear quite minor but give it a little thought. The country is full of children who need to stay within the family fold, but I was not one of them. Ann’s mother never forgave me for taking her away. For us, there was a period of entire isolation because we did not know a soul in South Yorkshire. However, in the past we were a very tribal culture. Children formed part of the family and were required to care for the ageing parents. There was no NHS or nursing homes. Children leaving home is really a new phenomenon.

Middle class

Did I see leaving the fold as middle class? If so, that took me out of the working classes, in my mind at least. Leaving home reminds me of posh schools and the way youngsters from rich backgrounds were sent away at such a tender age. It was also seen, by men at least, as a way to remove the male child from the mother’s influence. A coddled child would neither make a soldier nor a businessman. Get out into the wilderness and fight for survival. That was not really me. I can see now that I really loved places and not people. I was aware that life is too short not to get out into the world. Even now, after 55 years of marriage, I still feel the same. How has Ann put up with 16 house moves over that period? Partly because she loves change too.

Children leaving home

Does this mean I am not a people person? That is probably true. For instance, I don’t make friends easily nor do I have that cosy family surrounding me. I miss that. I look at large family groupings and I am envious. However, life is too short to feel hard done by. People are starving and dying all over the world and I don’t have those problems. Even if I am in the final quartile, life is enjoyable because I live in Britain. For all our problems, they are nothing in comparison.