Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - A Home at Cosy Cottage

Starting point is 00:00:00 Before tonight's episode, I want to let you know about our supporters' feed Get Sleepy Premium, the best way to experience the show and get a good night's sleep. With Get Sleepy Premium, everything is ad-free. You'll receive a bonus episode every week, and have full access to our entire back catalogue. Your support really helps, and means so much to us. Simply tap the link in the show notes to learn more. Now, a quick word from our sponsors who make it possible for us to bring you two three episodes each week. Do you have a baby that won't fall asleep? A noisy neighbor you need to block out?

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Starting point is 00:01:33 Or just follow the link in the show notes for a 30 day free trial of the Deep Sleep sounds app. Good evening and welcome to Get Sleepy, the podcast where we listen, we relax and we get sleepy. As always I'm your host Thomas, thanks for tuning in. I hope you're well and that you're feeling relaxed and comfortable in your bed. But it's quite alright if you need some help to settle down and I appreciate you listening to get sleepy in order to help get you there. Tonight's story is a soothing tale that will be read by Simon and it takes us to the

Starting point is 00:02:28 green hills of the English countryside. As he relaxes in his garden, a man who happens to share the same first name as me, reminisces Reminis is about a beautiful bike ride that led him to discover his dream home. Let's just spend a moment unwinding from the day you just gone. If you haven't already done so, you can let your eyes gently close and settle in to whatever position feels most comfortable right now. Take a few deep breaths, breathing in to the count of 4 or 5. And then steadily back out, feeling your body sink into bed. As you breathe, just watch the blank canvas behind your eyelids. You can allow your imagination to begin painting a tranquil scene across your mind's eye. Imagine a cozy home nestled among rolling green hills, bathed in sunshine. and concerns are far away. You can simply relax. You can be yourself without fear of judgment.

Starting point is 00:04:35 There's nobody here to care. Take yourself there now in your mind. Take yourself there now in your mind. A few head-trots are scattered over the hill-sides. Lines of trees stand proud in the rolling landscape. Sweet bird song resonates from the branches of those nearby trees, overlooking a vibrant and bountiful garden. Here you can enjoy the scenery as you relax, and perhaps even have a midday snooze. The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The Great Sons The The Great Sons The The Great Sons The Great Sons The The Great Sons The Great Sons The The Great Sons The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The Tom Bailey was a man in his 60s. It was well known in his neighborhood. He was a familiar sight, sitting in his front garden, in his favorite old striped chair.

Starting point is 00:06:17 On sunny days like today, he sat outside the front door of his small stone cottage. The house was nestled away in some beautiful hills. Just outside an English country market town called Menfield Hill. Whenever Tom sat out in his garden, there was always a cup of home-brewed lemon-barm tea to hand. The cup rested on a large piece of chipped grey slate, which was placed over the corner of an old stone water trough. Tom had found this trough discarded at the entrance to his cottage when he moved there some 18 years before. Somehow he'd managed to haul the trough to the front door.

Starting point is 00:07:17 Since then, he'd spent many happy hours renovating the front garden into a beautiful herb garden. He grew a traditional array of herbs for cooking, health and healing. Tom loved the life he now led. From childhood, he'd had a passion for all of nature, especially plants and their healing properties. He'd never been one to mix much with others, simply because he preferred his own company, and that of nature and plants. During the 18 years he had lived in his treasured cottage, he'd always thought of himself as

Starting point is 00:08:06 living his best life. In this time, he'd kept busy lovingly transforming his purchase. The garden had originally been an overgrown plot of land attached to an empty cottage. But as a result of Tom's hard work over the years, the cottage had been transformed into a wonderful cozy home. It was surrounded by a horticultural heaven, full of scented plants and healing herbs. Tom could often be seen sitting outside the solid oak front door,

Starting point is 00:08:54 which formed the entrance to his beautiful home. The only modern additions to the house were the efficient heating and plumbing systems. Otherwise, everything about cozy cottage perfectly reflected its name. Tom had retained the old flagstone flooring and partially covered it throughout with large thick pile rugs. These carpets were gloriously colored in shades of apple red, crimson, and burgundy. It also kept all the original features in the living room. There were dark wooden beams, uneven walls painted in soft whites and a stunning fireplace. The heavy oak mantelpiece formed the beating heart of the cottage.

Starting point is 00:09:59 The house was decorated with artistic simplicity. House was decorated with artistic simplicity. Neutral tones and soft furnishings complemented the polished traditional furniture. In the kitchen, the light shade of the walls contrasted beautifully with the strong, vibrant colors of the appliances. When Tom used the old cast iron cooker, the heat filled the house. The whole cottage radiated warmth and welcome. As well as history, there was also a strong sense of happiness within these walls. Tom grew most of his own fruit and vegetables.

Starting point is 00:10:57 Just as he imagined, those before him might have done. He'd always been keen on self-sufficiency and avoiding waste. He used his exemplary culinary skills to make sure that everything was used or given away. Whenever he had guests, the smell of home cooking and baking in cozy cottage brought them back to the happy days of their childhoods. Walking into the cottage felt almost like being hugged, welcomed into the heart of the home. As Tom sat outside, sipping his homemade lemon-barm tea. He enjoyed the spectacular views of the countryside. He liked to watch the tourists clambering up the hill, hoping to find the famous ruins of a nearby ancient Roman fort. Some people would stop at his gate for a quick rest and a chat while regaining their breath.

Starting point is 00:12:11 High cures and cyclists would admire his charming cottage garden and ask about the beautiful plants. Tom often recommended herbalist cures to pass us by, especially if they looked tired after miles of country terrain. Occasionally, he would even welcome people into his garden. Here, they could walk around the paths that twisted and turned into different spaces. Passing cyclists who were new to the area generally didn't stop as they were intent on making it to the top of the hill. But those who cycled that route regularly would wave. Tom always returned the greeting with an encouraging signal. He had a

Starting point is 00:13:07 deeper affinity with the sport. Until recently he had been a keen cyclist himself. But these days he was content to just wave them on with his good wishes. He now preferred to get his exercise in his beloved garden instead. Cycling had been life-changing for Tom. He felt that his cycling career had served a deeply spiritual purpose for him. It had even led him here. Tom often reflected on his luck in finding this house, which was his very own paradise. In his earlier life, he preferred to spend his leisure time on his own a time on his own, so that he could feel free and be in his own headspace. This is why he loved to cycle and be out amongst nature on his own. One day, 18 years ago, he'd had some days off work. He decided to spend his holiday on his bike, exploring a little-known cycling route.

Starting point is 00:14:29 He'd heard that this route led to some spectacular scenery in a tranquil part of the countryside. After three hours of cycling, he stopped in a small market town called Menfield Hill. It was located in a lovely spot on the edge of beautiful rolling hills. Tom was delighted by the green scenery and the sight of animals grazing in the fields. Years later, sitting in his garden chair and sipping his lemon-bound tea, he could still remember everything about that day. He'd been feeling thirsty at that point and needed to fill up his water bottle before getting back on his bike and tackling yet another hill. After finding a row of bicycle racks in the market square, he'd secured his trusty bike

Starting point is 00:15:36 and carefully locked his helmet onto the handlebars. Then he'd looked around, searching for a fountain or drink stall. Behind the market stalls he'd noticed just the place to ask. The weekly market had finished and the stall holders were clearing up. Small groups of people were starting to disperse. They were making their cheerful farewells until the next market day, when they would meet again. Tom started to walk tentatively past the dismantled stalls

Starting point is 00:16:20 to approach a burger van, so he could buy some water. But before he could ask, the young man in the van called over to Tom and offered him a drink. Perhaps this young man was also a keen cyclist, a new from experience, just how thirsty Tom was. Tom thanked the young man and drank the refreshing glass of water gratefully. Then he bought a packet of biscuits to eat later, before continuing on his way. As he walked on, Tom reflected on the kindness of this friendly young man. The more time he spent here, the more he was enchanted by the positive atmosphere of the town. Listening to the sound of laughter and chatter around him, he felt energized, like never before.

Starting point is 00:17:29 Walking back to his bike, Tom noticed something in the market square. In one corner was a very old second hand bookshop. Tom could never resist a bookshop. Tom could never resist a bookshop and he was keen to see if there were any old books on plants and herbs. Quickening his pace, Tom walked over to the shop. As he pushed open the narrow door, an old fashioned brass bell rang softly. It felt like he had come home. He stood at the doorway, transfixed by the thousands of books. The shop was crammed from floor to ceiling. Books were displayed on wobbly-looking shelves which leaned against each other. The shelves looked as if they stayed upright by sheer luck. The small-glass windows were open, letting in some fresh air.

Starting point is 00:18:41 But Tom could still smell the musty scent of old paper. The smell was like almonds or vanilla, saturating the air. To Tom, it was like heaven on earth. He walked past the crime and thriller shelves which morphed seamlessly around a corner into biography and history. Here, he found the owner sitting behind a desk reading a newspaper. The desk was almost hidden beneath piles of papers, unopened letters and two cardboard boxes. The boxes contained some well-thumbed smaller books labelled Holiday Reads. The owner peered around the boxes and welcomed Tom to his shop.

Starting point is 00:19:47 Tom enthusiastically complimented the owner on his collection. Then he asked where he could find books on plants and herbal medicine. The owner responded with detailed directions which Tom followed to the letter. He made his way up two flights of a narrow spiral staircase, holding onto a handrail clamped to the wall. Small flakes of paint gently fell off as he brushed round each corner. At last, he reached a small landing that led to three rooms. Recalling the owner's directions, Tom turned left, following a well-trotden, dark blue carpet runner.

Starting point is 00:20:45 Although it was quite large, the room appeared to have shrunk due to the sheer number of bookshelves. From wall to wall and floor to ceiling, there were hundreds of books, as well as boxed piles of even more books on the floor. Tom could see immediately what he was looking for. The gardening section was on the bottom four shelves, partially hidden behind two boxes overflowing with books. boxes overflowing with books. He bent down and picked out a small pile of books relating to herbal remedies and sensory plants. He put them carefully on the floor beside a rickety chair. Although it was old, with a rather threadbare, red velvet covering, the chair seemed to invite him to sit down. Tom sank into the creaking chair and breathed in deeply, inhaling the atmosphere of the bookshop. Then he turned to the pile of books beside him.

Starting point is 00:22:08 He was particularly drawn to the very first book he picked up entitled Make Your Garden A Healthy One. Intrigued by its early 1925 publication date, he opened it. The first thing he noticed was a beautifully written inscription on the inside cover. In dark blue ink and in perfect italic script it read, Red, two eedy, my dearest sweetheart, for our first Christmas together. May our special garden come true, with fondest love forever. Gee. Christmas, 1932, cozy cottage, Menfield Hill.

Starting point is 00:23:03 Tom smiled as he read these words. He was convinced that this was a moment of luck, or serendipity, coming to this town and finding this book waiting for him. Tom had always wanted to create a cottage garden full of vegetables and herbs. He imagined a garden of delightful aromas, an atmosphere of peace and well-being. He'd never really thought his dream was anything more than just a dream. But this inscription suggested that ED&G had once had a similar idea. Tom wanted to know who they were and if they had ever achieved their dream of creating a special garden. The address was clearly a local one, so maybe you could find out more about them.

Starting point is 00:24:14 Tom squeezed the book to his chest and vowed to himself that he would find cozy cottage. After hurriedly putting the other books back on the shelves, Tom returned downstairs to buy Edie's book. When he asked the owner about the inscription, the man smiled. He explained that he had gone to the local primary school, where G had been a teacher. Tom soon learned that G had been a popular teacher and a gifted gardener. His real name was Gerald, although he was always known as G. He and Edie came to Menfield Hill as newlyweds. Over many years they had lovingly created a fantastic garden around their beloved cottage. They grew and sometimes sold all manner of garden produce.

Starting point is 00:25:31 This had been very helpful for their neighbours during the Second World War, when food supplies were rationed and often in short supply. A well-loved couple in the community, G and Edie, had achieved their dreams of a special garden. Their community became their family, and everybody looked after each other. The bookshop owner explained that G and Ed.'s cottage was now for sale. However, potential buyers might be put off by the location of the cottage, on such a steep hill. There was also a need for significant modernization inside, in terms of decorating and internal repair work. When he heard this, Tom's heart leapt with joy.

Starting point is 00:26:33 He was thrilled to discover that the cottage was for sale, and he didn't mind if it required a little work. House maintenance was no issue for him at all and creating a garden was a lifelong passion. From his garden chair today Tom could still clearly remember that conversation all those years ago. He'd felt energized and could hardly wait to get out of the bookshop and back on his bike. He would cycle as fast as he could up to cozy cottage and pay his respects to the property so lovingly cared for by ED&G. The fact that the property needed modernizing might have been offputing for some people,

Starting point is 00:27:31 but it had exactly the opposite effect on Tom, who was a pure traditionalist and a skilled He loved the thought of bringing the cottage and its garden back to life again. Tom was so filled with anticipation that cycling to the cottage felt effortless. Carefully following the directions from the bookshop, it took Tom just 45 minutes to see cozy cottage ahead of him on the left-hand side. Even from a distance, it was obvious that the cottage and garden were simply in need of some long awaited attention and tender loving care. Seeing this spurred Tom on, motivating him to cycle up the hill all the way to the gate of the cottage.

Starting point is 00:28:38 As he slowed his bike down to a stop outside the Rickety Garden Gate, he put his foot down on a stone surface to balance himself. His foot was resting on what had originally been a stone water trough. Now it was filled with grass and stones, but like the cottage, it could be cleaned up and restored to its former glory. When tone glanced up directly in his line of vision was the for sale sign. Looking across the garden, he instantly imagined it full of colour and creativity. He instantly imagined it full of colour and creativity. As his gaze rested upon the cottage, he smiled to himself.

Starting point is 00:29:35 He slowly dismounted from his bike and wheeled it through the gate to lean against an old apple tree. Tom walked up to one of the windows and pressed his nose against the glass. He could see the wooden beams and a beautiful fireplace inside. Modernization, you whispered to himself with a smile. No. I'll bring love and life to Edian G's cozy cottage. One day, this will be a very special and healing home.

Starting point is 00:30:31 And now, from his garden chair, reminiscing while sipping his lemon-barm tea and watching the people cycling by, Tom smiled once again to himself, knowing that he'd made his dream come true. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... you you

Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - A Home at Cosy Cottage

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