Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - The Return Flight (Premium)

Starting point is 00:00:00 Hi, Thomas here. You're listening to a preview episode. You can enjoy the entire story tonight by subscribing to our supporters' feed. There you'll get access to the entire back catalogue, bonus episodes, and more, and it's all completely ad-free. Click the link below to learn more. And thank you so so much. Me and the team really appreciate your support. As the sun rises on the restful suburbia of Port Elizabeth in the eastern Cape. The day has finally arrived for this family of swallows to begin their journey back home to Britain. They greet one another with cheerful bird song, confirming that today was indeed the day that they would make their

Starting point is 00:01:06 departure. The younger birds are feeling a little nervous. For the flight over to the southern hemisphere several months prior had its challenges. Varyed weather conditions, numerous obstacles, and some larger birds that were at hand frightening. However, they were bigger, stronger, and more wildly now. The senior birds had reassured them that, though this flight would require hard work, they ought to feel confident and excited, for they were so privileged to have their wings be embarking on such a glorious journey. Communicating across two or three rooftops, the senior birds give a high-pitch cry to signal that it is time to take flight. With this the flock sweep into the sky, swiftly grouping into a close-knit triangular formation, and with their remarkable intuition, they begin heading north across Africa.

Starting point is 00:02:42 Feeling the cool gentle updraft from the south Atlantic behind them, the swallows stretch their wings far and wide, fluffing out their feathers as they soar into the pinkish morning sky. The sun was two thirds visible above the horizon, warming the off-white chests of the little birds. As their altitude increased, the temperature of the air became cooler. This was however a welcome change in conditions. As it is with any exercise, the muscles warm up fast and the heat of your body rises, so a nice cool breeze was ideal. Climpsing down over the vastly untouched landscapes, Day 1 of a likely 30 or more in total sees

Starting point is 00:03:54 the flock travel from the eastern region over to the beautiful mountainous lands of the free state. Crossing rivers, lakes, small towns and villages before finishing up for the night in the city of Blum Fontaine. The swallows find rest for the evening in a peaceful park, surrounded by fragrant plants and flowers, and an abundance of other wildlife that live there on a more permanent basis. Some late night dog walkers pass by as well as couples enjoying the romance of an evening stroll. The swallows are noticed by an elderly kind-faced lady who pauses for a few moments to look at the flock within tree-to-careing eyes. She is holding a small bag of groceries, milk, bread, fruit and other essentials. Her face sunnly lights up as she places the bag at her feet and reaches down into the carefully organized stack of groceries.

Starting point is 00:05:27 She'd remembered that one of her purchases from the store was a bag of nuts and seeds. The swallow's chirp with glee as the lady opens the packet and pours a handful of the seeds onto her left palm. One by one the cheerful swallows take turns to land on the lady's outstretched thumb and fingers. Her skin is thick and padded, equally as soft and gentle as her own demeanor. She smiles and lets out the occasional chuckle, as the birds fill their boots with the seed. After a few minutes, the lady picks up her shopping and bits of fun farewell. The swallows respond with a chorus of thankful bird song as they retreat into a nearby jack-a-rande tree, ready to settle down for the night. It had been a perfect first day.

Starting point is 00:06:57 you

Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - The Return Flight (Premium)

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