Even the cloudless, noiseless sky has been changed by coronavirus

In his latest reflection about place and pathway, Will Gore takes his exercise in deserted streets lit by stars

Lights were on in homes, but everything was quiet (PA)

Thank goodness for the sunshine. Not that there haven’t been times when I’ve felt a little taunted by it; moments when I’ve glanced out of the window and wondered how the world can seem so superficially cheerful when the situation is so bleak. But that’s just illogical moroseness. It will be exposed when the rain comes.

Then, the people who go by, out for their daily exercise, will have their mettle tested. Maybe they will come plodding, damp and chilly; maybe not at all. But while we are permitted to leave our homes, who would not want to – at safe distances from others of course.

Still, it’s a different experience, going out in these strange days. Shopping trips are fuelled by anxiety; people looking uncomfortable at the closeness that is hard to avoid in supermarket aisles, even when shopper numbers are closely controlled. It’s a testament to shop staff that they keep smiling.