Soundtrack to corona lockdown

There is lots of newness (and a fair bit of the same) about this corona lockdown – which I’m almost 5 weeks into and the rest of the family (and much of the country) is just over 4 weeks into. I have always loved being up at the same time as the birds and drinking my morning cuppa or doing my morning yoga while they serenade me (because, obviously, they are singing only to me and not for themselves or the rest of the street). And walking my daughter home from roller-skating through the park and the early evening cacophony that would give BTS* a run for their money can be breathtaking and awe-inducing.

On Friday, though, as I went on my third expedition to the local Co-op to forage for milk (only two-pinters of red milk available), aubergines (none), bread (almost the last two loaves on the shelves – one brown and one white because we hate white and the kids hate brown and and I felt immediately guilty at taken two, but still didn’t put one back) a taco kit (no problem), coffee (not our usual jar, but still Fairtrade, so yay) and Friday treats (crisps, chocolate, sweets… and, of course beer, Prosecco and Jim Beam), all I could hear during the whole walk was birdsong. Really loud birdsong. Beautiful, calming birdsong.

What I’m not entirely sure of is whether this level of birdsong has always been there throughout the day and it’s only noticeable in the early morning because of the lack of traffic (and on those evening walks through Stratford Park because, while it’s technically in a town, it’s still a big park, away from traffic). Or whether the birds are hanging around and chatting a lot more, because of the lack of traffic and the lack of people.

Whichever it is… I bloody love this soundtrack to my particular corona lockdown.

* To the uninitiated in everything Korean (or just in the modern pop scene) BTS = Bangtan Boys = massively, humungously, astoundingly huge Korean boy band who dance amazingly, sing pretty good and funky tunes and also now and then give speeches to the UN.