Thanks for your time and effort to reply and offer some advice it is appreciated. However it all still remains very 'murky' and as when dealing with any bureaucracy I have found a certain sense of humour is required to mask any frustrations you will inevitably come across![ hence the eye roll. quote...

Hi Ive read the Home Office stuff about discretion over absences from the Uk when applications for naturalisation are considered but as usual its as clear as pond water. I am a Uk citizen and my husband has been here for 2 years and just got ILR. We've only been out of the country together for about...