How often have you been feeling tired, a little depressed, and in need of a bit of revitalisation? How many of you would instinctively migrate towards some greenery to revive your spirits? Well, I certainly would and I do and this programme makes me more aware of why. Why I seek out nature to soothe my tired mind.
This programme is divided into two parts and both are well worth listening to. Very well written, produced and mixed. The first concentrates on the healing power of nature from helping reduce crime in urban areas to improving the productivity of employees. Did you know that on top of City Hall in Chicago is a field with its own hill and a beehive. The honey is auctioned off by the Mayor each year?
It's an absorbing programme because one can relate so quickly to the sentiment. Living in Amsterdam, a city of water, just the gentle glistening of the sun on a lightly rippling water is enough to restore my spirits.
The second of the programmes looks at how immigrants need a little of their natural heritage to help them in their new environments. There's the Russian who finds peace amongst the birch groves in Hampstead Heath in London and the extraordinary sound of song birds in a Chinatown park in New York. People creating their own private space in a public sphere.
It's a delight to listen in. My only criticism is that in the presenter's quest to give many examples in my view she doesn't spend enough time on each. In fact, many of the examples could be expanded to a full programme. What a fascinating programme the song birds would make...following these Chinese. Any takers. If it's ever made please let me know.