I saw a hint of the wondrous past in the midst of our grim coronavirus present

In his latest reflection on places and pathways, Will Gore finds joy in a soon-to-be-banned family gathering

The vice principal wears a PPE face shield in the playground at Greenacres Primary Academy in Oldham (AFP/Getty)

New normal”. Are there any two words which better and more bleakly sum up the mix of despair and faux optimism that have characterised our attempt to find a route out of coronavirus hell?

For a while, the new normal was home-schooling and a daily walk around the block. Then it was masks on trains and family bubbles. Then socially distanced gatherings of friends and family in the park. Each a little better than the last, but every “new normal” paling by comparison with what passed for normality six or seven months ago.

I know for sure, because for a couple of brief moments this week, I caught glimpses of the old normal and it was beautiful.