Soothing Bedtime Story | A Lazy Afternoon Tea | Bedtime Story for Grown Ups

welcome to get sleepy where we listen we relax and we get sleepy i'm your host thomas thanks for tuning in [Music] i hope you're well at the start of this new week and i wish you lots of positivity and happiness for the week ahead tonight we'll be visiting a park in my home country of england on a rainy spring afternoon we'll enjoy a relaxing walk through its gardens admiring the azaleas in full bloom before heading to a cozy cafe for afternoon tea [Music] sipping a cup of tea or coffee is one of those ordinary daily rituals we can easily take for granted but these restful moments are important so it's good to slow down and really appreciate them bedtime is another one of those special peaceful moments when you can relax and enjoy the sensation of slowly drifting into sleep if you like take some time to make yourself comfortable when your pillow and blankets feel just right and you've found the perfect comfy position close your eyes inhale deeply feeling your chest rise [Music] then exhale slowly notice how your body relaxes as the air flows out [Music] this state of rest comes naturally let your breathing guide you and trust that you'll soon fall asleep [Music] and as you breathe imagine this scene it's a fresh spring day somewhere in the south of england it rained earlier but now the sun has come out you're walking slowly along a dirt trail in a vast hilly park which is filled with oak trees as far as the eye can see this is where our story begins [Music] the weather today is typical for this time of year in england at the moment it feels pleasantly warm but it won't be long before the clouds return along with light showers and a cool breeze carrying the scent of damp earth and spring flowers [Music] as you walk through the park this afternoon the sun is shining casting a soft light through drifting clouds [Music] for now you're enjoying the gentle warmth while it lasts you can see some dark grey clouds on the horizon scudding over distant treetops [Music] but you don't mind if it rains you've come prepared with a raincoat and sturdy umbrella you also know there's a cafe in the middle of the park where you can take shelter if necessary and maybe stop for a cup of tea [Music] besides the frequent rain in england has its advantages [Music] looking around you now you notice just how green everything is every blade of grass is a deep rich emerald and all the leaves of the trees are just as vibrant when the sun hides behind the clouds all these shades of green remain bright and beautiful full of life and it's all thanks to the nourishing effects of the rain the other people in the park have also come prepared for changeable weather there's a family of four with matching raincoats and an elderly couple wearing hooded jackets and muddy wellington boots most of the paths here are dirt and quickly turn to mud when it rains so everyone's wearing sensible shoes in some areas the wild sprawling park resembles the countryside from where you're walking all you can see is infinite open space with countless trees spread out over the grassy slopes the only sounds are the bird song and the light wind rustling the leaves when you breathe in you notice just how fresh the air is this encourages you to take slow deep breaths and to walk at a gentle pace you find yourself switching from a brisk stride to a relaxed strong so you can take in all the sights and sounds of nature it's not long before the sunlight fades and the sky clouds over you feel a cool refreshing breeze and zip up your raincoat and then moments later the rain begins you smell to yourself as you put up your umbrella thinking that this is typical spring weather the sun will probably be back soon but for now you're happy to walk in the rain listening to the soothing pitter patter on your umbrella at the moment it's just a light drizzle as you walk on twirling the handle of the umbrella you become aware of a blur of color and movement to your left it's a herd of fellow deer grazing in the long grass [Music] they don't seem to be too bothered by the rain either although they could easily seek shelter under the branches of a nearby oak tree they remain standing out in the open [Music] there must be at least 20 deer all grouped together you pause for a moment to watch them there's something gentle yet deliberate about their movements as they search for the perfect patch of grass moving in slow motion [Music] a buck with majestic antlers lifts his head and looks in your direction you once read that dear have lived in this park for hundreds of years often coming into close contact with human visitors this one doesn't seem to mind your presence as he continues to chew slowly he does this over and over again with a single mouthful of grass it might be considered a laborious way to eat but maybe the deer are naturally mindful they know there's no rush and they savor every bite perhaps the grass tastes particularly good in the rain you think soft fresh and thirst quenching you're just about to walk on when you catch a scent in the breeze it's the damp musty smell of the deer the scent of wet fur [Music] you sniff the air then breathe in deeply wondering what it reminds you of there's something strangely familiar and comforting about the smell then with another deep breath you realize what it is it's the scent of a farm earthy and distinctive not quite sure why this smell resonates with you but it does for a moment your senses are heightened as you feel even more aware of your surroundings the deer the light rain and the soft earth beneath your feet all feel intensely rich and real part of you is tempted to linger here watching the deer in the rain but you're also curious to see what lies further ahead as you follow the path down the slope you notice the dense row of trees at the bottom everywhere else the trees are scattered and spread far apart but the area in front of you looks like a small grove or woodland [Music] then as you get closer you spot the iron railings around the trees it seems to be some kind of fenced off garden within the park at first you think this area must be private a special plantation or even the garden of someone's home this park is so huge that there might well be a few houses hidden away centuries ago royalty and aristocracy had country homes and hunting lodges in this area perhaps someone still lives here in a historic house in the middle of the park but just as you're getting lost in your daydreams you notice someone emerging from the trees a gate in the railings and a woman and her dog are coming through it moving in your direction the woman holds an umbrella in one hand and the dogs lead in the other she's being pulled along by an energetic irish setter with damp reddish-brown fur the dog seems delighted to be out in the rain and happy to meet you on the path the woman has to tug firmly on the lead to prevent the dog from greeting you with a little too much enthusiasm [Music] laughing she explains that her dog has a tendency to greet strangers as though they were old friends and she wouldn't want you to get covered in wet muddy paw prints as you stop to give the dog a pat you ask the woman about the gated garden it's open to the public she explains the garden is famous for its azaleas and rhododendrons there's also a lovely cafe not too far from the entrance you thank the woman and watch as she and her dog continue in the opposite direction up the hill they're probably heading home to avoid getting too muddy in the rain but you've decided to explore the garden and hopefully locate the cafe although the rain is still light for the time being the thought of a cup of tea indoors is very tempting indeed [Music] still now that you're here you might as well take a quick look around [Music] you pull back the latch on the gate and enter the garden [Music] it's a pleasant surprise to find yourself here during your long walk through the park you must have veered off track as you didn't know this place existed but you're happy to have the opportunity to explore somewhere new [Music] the trees and foliage are dense here creating narrow winding trails some of the low-hanging branches arch over the path creating a kind of leafy ceiling that offers some shelter from the rain [Music] you become aware of the sound of the raindrops not just on your umbrella but also on the leaves above your head sometimes it seems like a single steady drip but there are moments when you can discern subtle patterns in some places the rainfall resembles a quick drum beat but on certain leaves the drops seem slower and softer it's not just one sound you realize but many and it varies from moment to moment as the rainfall grows lighter or heavier or is blown by the wind you walk on through the tunnel of trees listening to the soothing sound of the falling rain and the dull echo of your footsteps on the trail it's a mixture of soil and gravel which prevents the path from becoming too muddy even so you're glad you're wearing your comfortable waterproof shoes as the rain shows no signs of stopping on your way through the garden you keep an eye out for spring flowers so far you've mainly noticed thick profusions of leafy shrubs and bushes as well as some sturdy old oaks and elegant beech trees this garden feels so peaceful and is full of lush greenery but there's no sign of flowers just yet you're hoping to find the azaleas that the woman mentioned as this is the season when they're at their best but you wouldn't know where to look and the garden is starting to feel like a maze as the path twists and turns [Music] the idea of the azaleas lingers in your mind as you walk on you can't remember exactly what they look like but you find yourself focusing on the evocative beauty of the word there's something musical about the lilting rhythm of the name azalea [Music] and then just as you're reflecting on the word you find the flower itself not just one but hundreds or even thousands of pink and purple azaleas [Music] the garden path has brought you to a clearing in the middle is an oval-shaped pond surrounded by towering azalea bushes in full bloom the bushes seem to bend under the weight of the flowers and the rain hanging over the pond the lower branches and petals almost skim the surface of the water you stand beside the pond spellbound by the beauty of the scene while it continues to rain a single ray of sunlight streams through the trees illuminating the bright petals of the flowers the azaleas come in every possible shade from pale creamy pink to vibrant bursts of magenta some of the colors are so dazzingly vivid that they hardly seem real it's as though you're seeing the color pink for the very first time perhaps this is how it felt for people watching the first technicolor films after years of black and white this magnificent display of pink and purple is mirrored in the calm surface of the pond you watch the raindrops fall into the water creating gentle ripples in the reflection gazing into the water the flowers look like something from a dream world but looking up directly at the bushes the azaleas become wonderfully real once more you allow yourself to linger in this tranquil spot for a while longer lulled by the sound of the rain on the pond and captivated by the dreamy atmosphere standing here alone admiring the azaleas it feels as though you've somehow conjured this place into being you have the pond and the flowers entirely to yourself and in this moment the garden might belong to you this is another advantage of the rainy weather you think if the sun was out the garden would probably be full of visitors keen to catch a glimpse of the azaleas during their brief period of spring glory but it seems as though everyone else has left allowing you to enjoy the privilege of this special moment eventually you decide that you're ready to walk on you find yourself walking more slowly and carefully than before as though tiptoeing away from a sacred place you're now more conscious of the fact that you seem to be the only person here [Music] instinctively you want to be as quiet and respectful of your surroundings as possible you like the idea of fading into the background the sounds of your movements mingling with the wind and the rain until they're indistinguishable from each other as you follow the winding path you think of the word azalea once more and smile to yourself from now on this name will be evocative in a new way reminding you of the dreamy place you discovered so unexpectedly on a rainy spring day the rain isn't getting heavier but it doesn't seem to be getting any lighter either as much as you're enjoying the walk you're also looking forward to drying off indoors as soon as you find the cafe you remember the women saying it wasn't far from the entrance so perhaps you should retrace your steps [Music] but after walking a little further you discover that the path takes you right there not far from the azalea pond is an elegant white building which resembles a small country house [Music] it might be the setting for a jane austen novel you half expect to see a horse and carriage draw up by the front door but even though you can't see a sign you're sure this must be the cafe that the woman mentioned looking through the window you can see lace curtains and the warm glow of a ceiling lamp the cafe looks wonderfully inviting and it's appeared at the perfect moment just as you are starting to crave a break from the rain [Music] you walk up to the door and turn the brass handle leaving your umbrella to dry off in the stand by the entrance there are a few other umbrellas there too which suggests you're not the only visitor [Music] perhaps this is why you had the azaleas to yourself the few other visitors to the garden on this rainy day decided to head for cover in the cafe as you enter you wipe your feet on the mat then hang up your wet jacket on a hook near the door inside the first thing you notice is a comforting sensation of warmth the central heating must be switched on you can tell not just from the temperature but also from a distinctive scent [Music] somehow the warmth of the radiators has its own toasty smell and heightens the other scents in the air there's a pleasant floral fragrance as well as the mingling aromas of tea and coffee in the next room as you breathe in these comforting scents you reflect on how good it feels to be somewhere warm and dry you walk down the hall and turn into the open doorway that leads to the main room the cafe resembles a cozy old-fashioned living room with a couple of sofas and a fireplace only two of the tables are occupied there's a mother and her teenage daughter chatting over a pot of tea in the corner and a woman reading by the window a smartly dressed waiter comes to greet you and says you can take your pick of the tables you decide to take the sofa near the window on the far side of the room as it strikes you as the most comfortable and scenic spot a moment later sinking into the soft cushions you feel you made the right choice the sofa is even more comfortable than it looks and from here you have a lovely view of another side of the garden next to neat flower beds are colorful shrubs and wild dripping lavender bushes that sway in the wind and rain when the waiter comes to take your order you ask him about the history of the cafe [Music] it reminds you of an old country house that's exactly what it once was says the waiter a few hundred years ago this area would have been part of the countryside [Music] cafe was originally a secluded family home surrounded by acres of fields and woodland over time large parts of the land were sectioned off and eventually turned into one large park [Music] but while other boundaries disappeared this house and garden remained encircled by iron railings as they were still private property although no one lives here anymore the house remains almost unchanged the waiter draws your attention to the old-fashioned wooden shutters by the windows and the antique great in the fireplace these are original details he explains [Music] later you're welcome to explore the other rooms where you'll notice many historical features this building could be considered a kind of museum as well as a cafe [Music] the gardens have a history too many of the planting arrangements are based on the original layout from the 18th century including the azalea pond some say it was designed by the original owner as a tribute to his wife when they were newlyweds there's no evidence for this the waiter adds with a smile but it's a nice idea the azaleas are so beautiful especially at this time of year that it's easy to believe there's some romantic explanation for the garden then again maybe the azaleas are romantic enough in themselves and there's no need for a story the waiter hands you the menu and apologizes for getting carried away with his history of the house not at all you reply you're happy to have learnt something and to see that you're not the only one who appreciates the azaleas the waiter nods and chuckles in the spring tourists usually flock here to see the flowers in bloom in a way he says you've been lucky with the rainy weather today it's a rare treat to experience the garden in such peace and quiet after taking your order the waiter returns just a few minutes later with a silver tray well as a steaming pot of tea he's brought you a scone with jam and clotted cream a traditional english afternoon tea you thank him as he neatly arranges everything on the table in front of you suddenly you realize how hungry you are or perhaps it's just a craving for something sweet on its own the scone doesn't look like anything special it resembles a roughly shaped bread roll but once you've cut it in half and spread a generous layer of jam and cream the scone is transformed into a delicious dessert which goes wonderfully with a cup of tea once the pot of loose leaf tea has sat for a few minutes you pour it over the strainer into a delicate porcelain cup after breathing in deeply you take a sip the tea is the perfect temperature hot but not too hot and full of flavor then you take a bite of the scone savouring the blend of sweet cream and tangy strawberry jam [Music] this is just what you needed glancing out the window you see that the rain is heavier now coming down in sheets the glass is misting up and you can no longer make out the details of the garden in the pouring rain the plants are visible only as a blur of green [Music] but even if you can't admire the view you can still enjoy this moment resting on the sofa and listening to the rhythmic drumming of the rain there's something hypnotic about the sound and you could happily sit here for the rest of the afternoon you feel so at ease in this cozy spot and it's almost like being at home this place was once somebody's home you remember and perhaps it hasn't really changed people have been drinking tea in this room for centuries first as a living room and now as a cafe this sense of continuity creates a warm welcoming atmosphere you close your eyes and sigh happily in this moment you feel a sense of connection with this place and with it a feeling of comfort still listening to the rain you sink into a state of deep relaxation and drift into peaceful daydreams [Music] [Music] you [Music] [Music] [Music] me [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] so [Music] [Music] my [Music] oh you

Channel: Get Sleepy

Views: 61,023

Keywords: bedtime story for grown ups, guided story for sleep, garden sleepy story, garden bedtime story, soothing bedtime story, relaxing in the garden story for sleep, relaxing in the garden bedtime story, peaceful garden sleepy story, garden story for sleep, peaceful bedtime story for sleep, peaceful bedtime story, peaceful sleepy story, peaceful story to make you fall asleep, get sleepy fast with story, tranquil sleepy tale, tranquil sleepy tale for bedtime

Id: 7Pn-eZRYrlI

Length: 46min 25sec (2785 seconds)

Published: Mon May 23 2022