Two Metres – just an arbitrary measure of distance; it does not really have any meaning because it could be 1 metre or 1.55 metre. Yet in March 2020 in the UK Two Metres became a new proscribed social distance we had to abide by. Suddenly Two Metres was no longer some random distance but a measure we would have to abide by (though as we learned later not those who came up with the rules).

Signs proscribing this new social distance quickly appeared — a new protocol was in place.

As we were told to stay home our universe shrank — we could only go as far as we could cycle or walk, so our sense of place began to change. As London de-populated and the cars disappeared from the A12 a new universe emerged — a strange silent place where the people were no longer present. It felt surreal as all our assumptions of normal were upended.

But the bird calls increased — and the solitary travellers appeared.

As I ventured out for my daily exercise, something allowed under the rules, I discovered how the world around me was adapting, the socially distancing meetings and the signs of those who perhaps decided that this wasn’t for them.

Observing the de-populated world and the normally vibrant public spaces that had closed down — I was delighted to find the evidence that there were those determined souls who had decided to gather despite guidance, revealing a healthy view to carry on regardless.

My daily walks revealed the sad deaths that emerged out of the pandemic and then the release when we were allowed to gather again, but I wonder if the impact of this time will continue?

It felt we were entering a period of changed priorities ahead.