An acquaintance of my mine has decided to move back to the UK after retiring here only 2 years ago

I don't know all his reasons but he claims his pension doesn't support him and his wife in the way he wants. He's also confided he doesn't get on at all with her family.

I do feel him really as I know he has struggled to settle down to his new life too.

I still say retirement and relocation can be problematic for quite a few unless you have a plan on how to fill your time.
It's important IMHO to find something worthwhile to do that you enjoy. The rest will come as long as you keep an open mind.

He says he's spent the last few weeks looking for a reasonable cost to ship stuff back to UK but can't find any.
Like me he shipped loads of stuff here in BB boxes then used a speciality pallet shipping company for big items.

Seems like it's very difficult to find a reasonable cost shipper.

Anyway he's telling me he wishes he hadn't shipped all his stuff.

The moral of his tale seems to be don't ship every single item you own if there's a chance you'll be returning. Well unless you've got deep pockets.