Last week whilst amongst other things, the road around the Monument on the "concrete" road was being resurfaced each evening for three days and the volume of traffic up the side of the Rectory was probably quadrupled. It was massively noisy even with my very poor hearing and all manner of vehicles would rumble past with lime green and orange lighting or flashing red, white and yellow lights. Sometimes you could hardly hear yourself think and then at eleven o'clock all was completed for the evening and normal traffic noises resumed.
This time last year when I spoke about sounds on the blog and indeed lack of noises, I told you about the owls. I love owl call and this year, despite the fact we were told to stay at home the traffic on the road here showed differently and the owls were not heard as well. However they are here and could be heard calling male to female over a distance again. It is mainly the Tawny owls calling, but last year certainly the Barn Owls could also be heard.
Sound is a wonderful thing and how we react to it is equally amazing. There is the age old debate is it better to hear than to see or the other way round, The honking of geese as they fly overhead, the buzz of the bees already so active and enjoying the dandelions. The birdsong is fabulous, but so are noises in our homes, the clunk as the heating switches on on a cold and chilly morning, the noises of the kettle boiling and the promise of that longed for cup of tea. I remember back to my O-levels as they were in those days and my English Language exam had me writing about "Breakfast sounds!"
Sounds also come with expectations, the noise of the letter box rattling as the awaited mail arrives, the telephone call that is expected, with sad news that someone close has died, the familiar tune on the radio or tv that speaks about your soap starting and thus you can relax now in readiness. How many of us awake with a shock if the doorbell rings during the night time, or that you hear a siren racing up the road or even the noise of the Palm Sunday processions joyfully walking the streets.
Perhaps the most precious of sounds is that of the human voice, a lover whispering sweet nothings, the singing of a solo in a concert or church service, a baby cooing, a phone call with your loved ones, a memory rekindled by a voice, which instantly removes you from the present to another time and place. The human voice that reassures, comforts, that shares great news, that touches us in our innermost being, that speaks to us of the divine mysteries.
We have thought much about the Danish movement of "hygge" and sound too is a part of it. It is why we play music in our homes which makes us feel good, is enjoyable and also restful. It is about the sounds of nature, that remind us that we are a part of the great creative energy of life and of the planets. It is the sound of that which nurtures each and everyone of us in good times and not so good. It is the sound that makes us who we are and the sound of how we return thanks to Almighty God.
Now for a bit of fun! Can you identify 20 simple everyday sounds and get them all correct? Have a go and see how well you do. I don't think they are too challenging! There are answers as well. Hope you do well and recognise lots of the everyday sounds.
