You are correct, Charleygirl - it is because the UK does not have a reciprocal agreement with many Commonwealth countries. When I emigrate to NZ, my state retirement pension will be frozen. Fortunately, my Teacher's and Civil Service pensions are occupational pensions and will continue to share whatever meagre increase UK residents get!
Absent - I am very interested to hear that double glazing is now available in NZ - my daughter really needs it as her bedroom is at the front and, as you know, some big lorries use that road through Wakefield.
People can be remarkably confused about distances - I got lots of messages asking if my family were O.K. at the time of the Christchurch earthquake, which was about 250 miles from Wakefield. It was nice of them to be concerned, though! I also get asked why I don't go to see the Valley of the Kings when I am at a Red Sea resort - it would take a five hour coach ride across the desert! Egypt is a big country.