As we stand on our terrace, the stillness and quiet of Valencia is unnerving. The city is usually alive with a hubbub of noises, whether  from people chattering and laughing in the streets, parks, cafes and bars around us, from passing vehicles on the busy roads or planes overhead, or sirens and police whistles in the area.

At the moment, all we hear in the daytime is bird song from the finches, blackbirds, woodpigeons and swifts that have recently returned for a new season. We also hear sirens from emergency service vehicles and the sound of a police helicopter as it circles the city, patrolling the streets, parks and rooftops to enforce the strict lockdown rules. To date, we have been locked in for five and a half weeks and have only been allowed out individually for trips to the supermarket or to relieve the dog. Children are not permitted out of their homes at all but we hope this might end shortly. We thank God every day for the patience he has given to us in these very difficult days and we also thank him for good health, access to shops, electricity, running water and the internet.