Gorse Fox has frequently mentioned tranquility in this blog. You have to recognize that GF lives in a small enclave of immense peace. Houses are separated on large-ish plots, there is no through traffic, we are a mile or so from the railway, and as neighbours we sign a covenent regarding control of noise (e.g. not having building work done outside normal weekday working hours, not using machinery or power tools after lunchtime on Saturady etc.).

Tranquility.

At night the only sounds you can hear are: the lapping of the waves, the snoring of the Silver Vixen, and the wind. Last night, however, this peace was shatterd by a house alarm piercing the calm. GF got up and checked for neighbours' homes/cars, but it was further away... and so it continued to shatter the night. After 20 minutes it switched off, but soon after it started again and continued for 20 more minutes. The last vestiges of sleep driven from GF, he lay there... and lay there... and lay there.