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Forget TV and listen to the birds

Vic Barlow
11/ 7/2007

THE DAY starts early on our farm: poultry to feed, animals to turn out, barns to clean, dogs to train all before breakfast. By evening we're usually ready to relax.

"What's on TV," Mrs B asked.

I checked the schedules but couldn't find anything but brain-dead reality shows.

"Why don't we just sit in the conservatory and have a glass of wine?" We opened the French windows and sat back with an ice-cold bottle of Sancerre.

A blackbird we'd observed for days suddenly alighted on top of the tallest fir tree and began to sing. A curlew called from the meadow and a skylark provided the descant. We listened until the sun (and the wine) went down. It was a truly magical evening. (Even our cat had a night off.)

So here's what I recommend. Next time Get Me Out of Here I'm Big Brother Swapping my Wife with a Foul-Mouthed Celebrity Chef is dominating the TV schedules rip the plug out of the wall, open a nice bottle of wine, sit back and listen to the birds singing. They don't swear or vote anyone out and Deadly Davina is nowhere to be seen.

You'll be amazed just how wonderful it makes you feel.