Winter blues? Never fear, your desk-bound existence could soon be enhanced and unwound by a new "Escape line" of inspiring natural sounds, launched to coincide with the end, this weekend, of British Summer Time. To whom do we owe this pleasure? Tourism bosses in the Lake District, of course.
On offer on the national-rate help line (or free from the website) is a menu of uplifting choices including Lake Windermere lapping against a jetty or a reading of Wordsworth's Daffodils.
I can't resist and dial in (0870 224 1856). A welcoming voice lulls me and, after a brief advertising message urging me to visit the region, offers me an intriguing menu of sound clips. My unlikely favourite is "fresh air blowing across England's highest mountain" at option three, closely followed by birdsong at option five. My least favourite is the sound of Cumberland sausages frying (at option "sizzling seven" if you please). As for the "waterfall" it sounded more like white noise while Lake Windermere's lapping reminded me of a flushing toilet.
As well as the disadvantage of having to pay as you go, the help line is rather uncomfortable to use if you're after "work music" at your computer - straining my neck much longer would have necessitated a physio appointment. Happily, as with most good things, the somewhat soothing tracks are also available free online.
