It's that first smell, the first lung-full - it may be halfway through the breathe that you notice it - but when you do, or more to the point when I do, the fresh perfumed air has me breathing deeper and expanding my lungs... lost in the airy moment, craving more of the somehow sweet air.
I had one of these moments this evening. Walking along the drive I caught myself in the moment, revelling in the dappled leafy light, reflecting on the day and savouring each breath for as long as possible.
Now some people may say that I should be used to that by now - being in the country and all. But perhaps this would be a good time to note that the country comes with it's own set of aromas. While I only have to contend with the diesel fumes for as long as I'm stuck behind a tractor, cows have replaced common-town-pollution for me. I'm sure Wikipedia will furnish you with all the specifics - I can give you the day-to-day:
- They wake you up in the morning - a friendly good moo-ning and where is my breakfast. This is not quiet, do not be fooled. And it's often around 6 am.
- That good moo-ning is followed by a little linger. Maybe not immediately afterwards, but once you're up, possibly just out of the shower - you'll get a whiff. Cow-pat. That stays with you all day. Wind direction changes: they're pretty much in all of the surrounding fields, so they've got that covered. And then there's even a 50% chance you could be worse off!
By bed-time you're used to it. But by that time you've probably also seen deer roaming across your lawn / a selection of tits or other birds to your liking / the rolling view of fields and trees - green and spacious and so picturesque that you're happy to give them a little more manure.
So about that air...
Lucky