The heartbeat, ethereal sound of the first cuckoo, heard and almost not heard in the echoing quiet of our lockdown world. No easy jet roars tearing up the air and stitching us in with trails of pollution. It is now so quiet that I can hear the call of the first cuckoo right over in the valley along the alder stream where I remember them last spring time.
What a long time ago last spring seems!
Walking where we wanted, seeing whom we pleased, being unafraid.
And yet this spring I have heard more birds than I ever had before. I have spoken to more neighbours over the garden fence and wall than ever before. And most remarkable of all; a neighbour tells me he has seen a lynx in the forest for the very first time! My neighbour has cut timber in the forest for 30 years and he knows how rare and remarkable this sighting was.
This spring is so different.
Delius was inspired by the sound of the first cuckoo and so please take a moment to catch a little calm and listen to this gentle music in celebration of some normality.
Cathy's real country garden 
Good for you, Cathy. I remember how much I enjoyed hearing cuckoos last spring when I visited my Dad in Germany. Wouldn’t it be nice if some of these changes for the better persisted?!
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It would indeed!
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An actual lynx!
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There are records of them here on the edge of the Jura and the forests are so quiet it looks like they are actually venturing out! 🐈🐈🐈🐈
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I thought I heard the cuckoo – but it turned out to be just another pigeon! Beautiful music – I love Delius, too.
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Sadly it’s been years since I last saw, or heard, a cuckoo. xx
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They are not exactly common here either, but the sound lifts the heart. I hope you are well and still plotting!
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We don’t seem to hear them here where I live anymore. Though I’ve heard them in May when camping in the Yorkshire dales or the lake District. A lynx. Wow! Special indeed.x
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