My Window on the World

These strange times have given us all the opportunity to try out things we wouldn’t normally have allowed ourselves time for, writes Ann Kirkby. For example, today, for the very first time, I tried out ‘live’ webcams. And what a wealth there is out there, especially for me, as an armchair traveller. So just this afternoon I’ve been to New York, St. Croix in the sunshine with boats bobbing on blue waters, St. Ives in Cornwall, and even Wroxham Broads. I couldn’t resist taking a peep at Rome in the late evening either, and apart from the Carabinieri, there was barely a soul to be seen. The Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain have never looked so beautiful, or, sadly, so deserted.
I watched Puffins on Burhou Island off Alderney (who doesn’t love a Puffin?). They seemed to be looking around wondering where all the tourists were?
I also watched an empty Barn Owl nest box for a while, and elsewhere waited in vain to see Badgers, although I’m not known for my patience, so I didn’t linger long. My best find of the day was a sole Peregrine Falcon (are they lone parents? Was it mum, or dad, back on the nest?) and I couldn’t resist checking back later in the day, as mum (or dad) was taking the opportunity to stretch their legs and their wings, and I was thrilled to my core to see a fluffy white chick that they had been keeping warm. And where was this wondrous sight? Leamington Town Hall!
Tomorrow, I may stretch my legs and wander around the Vatican, or take a stroll about the Tate Modern. All from my sofa, as I am doing the dutiful thing of staying at home, protecting the NHS, and thus helping to save lives.
Has the world ever been so quiet? Perhaps we should enjoy the peace while it lasts.