Dear Reader,

THERE’S long been debate about whether Shakespeare ever said that ‘expectation is the root of all heartache’. But it’s certainly true that American psychologist Barry Schwartz profftered that ‘the secret of happiness is low expectations’.

Both came to mind on learning yesterday which countries — after weeks of pack-your-bags, don’tpack-your-bags, traffic lights, PCR tests, quarantining — would be on the approved list for travel from May 17. Not many, was the answer, although Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that another announcement would be made in three weeks time.

Many people can’t be bothered to follow every twist and turn of this drama — and are happy to stay in the UK with a murder mystery box set and quivering upper lip as unseasonably cold temperatures sweep across the country.

The super-rich aren’t bothered either. They can jet off to Corfu (pictured) privately when the time comes, telling their housekeepers to prepare the villa and speed boat for arrival.

It’s the ‘just about managing’ crowd — as Theresa May put it — who will be disappointed by today’s truncated list, people for whom a break in the sun represents a vital pause from day to day challenges, especially after more than 12 months cooped up at home.

Shapps stressed the importance of a ‘tentative’ loosening of restrictions; how he was being ‘necessarily cautious’ and ‘turning the key slowly’ — and you could feel the noose tightening around the neck of travel companies.

Some operators haven’t helped by dragging their feet on refunds for cancelled holidays, but others have jumped through all kinds of hoops to meet their responsibilities.

Speaking of responsibilities, Border Force yesterday pledged to increase the numbers of staff checking the paperwork of incoming passengers.

It remains to be seen how effective this will be — but let’s not be too downbeat. We’re on the move at last.