It was a sad little street, br houses all terraced br lined up like soldiers br with no front gardens. br br Two up, two down br we called them br and nowadays br well, they’re hot! br br I wonder at the world br with its price wars, br its property market, br its values. br br Years ago your house br was your home, br you had local friends br you had roots. br br These days it’s not cool br to all live streets away, br pop in and chat, br have an open door. br br Folk move away, br find jobs elsewhere, br become isolated br and up market. br br I phoned my sister br the other day. br We used to share a bed, br bottom to bottom. br br I said, “how are you, br what you up to.” br And d’you know br she replied. br br “I’m in Manchester br in glorious isolation” br Sign of the times I sighed, br with saddened eyes.