Going back to where you were raised

We lived in a big Edwardian house with a long path lined with tea roses. Except we didn't as when I went back it was a regular sized house with a regular front garden that had been laid to concrete and a bungalow had been built on to side garden. My mum used to cut the rises from the front garden for me to give to my teacher. She kept them on her desk.

I go back quite often. I would love to move back there but am near my children here and see them regularly particularly my daughter. She would move areas at the drop of a hat but she has bought a flat with our youngest son. He has special needs and is settled in a good job here. I think he would find it difficult to change jobs.

I occasionally look at all the places I have lived on Google Instant Streetview and see how things have changed. At times it has made me very emotional.

A few years ago I returned to my childhood area in London. The old council maisonette I lived in was gone and the land built on. The thing that struck me most about returning was just how small everything there now seems!