Clare- Good article I certainly agree that things are slowing down. The credit crunch has certainly had an impact on house prices. The increased fuel prices seem also to have had an impact on people's feel good factor.
The corrisponding inrease in commodity prices will surely follow as haulier pass on the increased cost of fuel which increase their operating costs.
I think the biggest visable impact is in the retial sector. In our local town there are no end of shops shut, closing down or to let.
May be consumer confidence is low and people are worried the flow of cash has certainly slowed down.