Poor, cold, Fred, eh? 😆 Ha, ha, ha. I've had a very full and exciting life and purely as a result of my father's job - he was tied up in the aircraft industry, have travelled all over the Far East and beyond, was able to rival Wicker's World, but it comes at a price. Always on the move, by the time we bought a large property in North London we didn't have a great deal of friends as such. Work colleagues or aquaintances yes, but not actual friends. We were also very indipendent of one another. As each one flew the nest, each made their own way in life. Being the youngest of four with a ten-year age gap between the eldest and myself, I just kind of tagged along with my own crowd, which is why I loved my boarding school, your fellow boarders all being your brother, but as people find their own way in life, one's circle of friends becomes less and less. Living in a VERY conservative area (Highgate boarders) didn't help! You kept yourself to yourself. As the twig is bent, so the tree will grow.
I offered the hand of friendship when I move to a different area shortly after I got married, Out of courtesy I popped my head over the garden fence and said: "Hello, my name is Fred - I'm your new neighbour."
"Yes, I can see that!" She snapped. She then got off her recliner and slammed the back door so hard behind her I thought it would break the glass! They were the only five words we spoke in five years! 
After the initial shock, because it was a hell of a shock being spoken to like that,I laughed until I couldn't breathe. I could understand it if it was Chislehurst , but this was in the heart of the East End! After that we didn't bother trying. After my father passed away there was nothing to hold anybody together. Four years on I cracked up, and that's when I found my Saviour and became a Born-again Christian. The rest is history.
That is why I enjoy these discussion boards - I can be as personal or impersonal as I like, have friends but still have the sanctity of my own home. At sixty-five I'm too set in my ways to join social clubs or play bingo, or befriend some dear little old lady in her nineties with nobody to leave her house to - tempting thought, though!
He would never get away from us,,,i would not let him!!!!!!!. 
. I can relate to some of what your saying Frederick.
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