Five years ago exactly, I was somewhere on the M1, probably somewhere between Milton Keynes and Northampton, heading to Derby. A couple of hours previously, I'd packed the last of my stuff from my flat into the back of the car, and begun the long drive North through London. I'd done that many times before, but this time I wasn't travelling to Derby or Hartlepool for the weekend. I was leaving. My seven years as a Londoner were at an end.

I glanced frequently at the familiar sights along the way - tube stations, London buses, bus stops with the familiar London Transport signs - not quite able to believe that I was seeing London for the last time as a resident. I remember an awful sense of finality as the front wheels engaged the M1 at Junction 1, and left London behind.

I can't really believe it's been five years.