I love sitting in my garden first thing in the morning, with my cup of coffee. Everything is silent, except for the birds chirping to each other, or their wings flapping as they fly overhead.

Suddenly, a blackbird may dash across the garden, hoping I haven’t seen him as he tries to get to the hedge on the other side.Then the morning sounds move on quickly, especially on a week day, as the sound of a neighbour unlocks a car door and drives off to work. The sound of footsteps come into focus and get nearer and nearer, then a letterbox slams as the postie delivers life through someone’s door.

More noise joins in, as a neighbour opens the door and lets the dog out, who at first just paces the garden, then decides he’s had enough and wants to be back in, so he starts barking. And the peace has gone, as daily life takes over from the earlier silence and I make my way indoors to start my own working day, but grateful for the peaceful hour in my garden.