While so many people are becoming increasingly stressed over the interruption to air travel caused by Icelands volcanic ash, Dr Martin drew my attention to the unusual silence caused by the temporary absence of plane-filled skies.
Being a city dweller all my life I've grown used to that sound, the almost constant drone of airplanes overhead. But these past few days have made me realise that no matter how familiar that sound is it also, in it's own way, adds to the tension of city living.
It's something people living in rural areas often say they instantly notice when they spend any time in London.
Now, with the current suspension of air travel, the atmosphere is fresher, the light seems richer, streets less claustrophobic; it's almost like waking up in a new city without having left home.
And so, like Dr Mandi Martin, over the next week or so I intend to enjoy and appreciate the novelty of clearer, quieter and cleaner skies.
