Is living in the countryside really a curse?

I CAN add the following to the joys of living in the country (Letters):

BIRD scarers and shotguns fired before 5am; the sound of distressed pigs being transported to the abattoir by drivers who have no clue about animal welfare.

LOW-FLYING military aircraft, both RAF and USAF, doing exercises for hours; refuelling exercises involving aircraft engines running for up to two hours into the early hours of the morning;

ARMY personnel setting up camp for a week or more next to a housing estate on the edge of a ‘disused’ airfield and shooting throughout the night; parachute exercises, generators running all hours of the day and night; heavy artillery fire throughout the night; helicopters flying at low level. These were just some of the practices that took place throughout my 26 years in Norfolk. I now live in a town centre, having started life in London, and can get a good night’s sleep once again.

NICK DASEY, Llanelli, Dyfed. lIvInG in the country might not be the proverbial bed of roses, but at least you’re not caught up in the suburban rat race trying to keep up with your neighbours. your daily drive will be on country roads with hedges and alongside mainly open fields, not endless built-up areas and drab buildings. The only traffic jam will usually be a tractor going about its business, which is vital to farming. you’ll be able to enjoy views seen only in magazines and on Tv’s Countryfile; the mud on your vehicle will be testament to the fun you’re having. you might be lucky enough to live in, or by, a village with a vibrant social scene. you’ll realise that you don’t need to visit the local supermarket every day to survive. you’ll be able to buy vegetables and eggs at farm gates, both with minimal travelling miles. you can also visit farm shops and community co-operatives who don’t use hard-sell tactics. The main problem with country living is the occasional visitor from the city, who has no patience and no respect for the countryside and is desperate to return to the concrete jungle.