With all the doom and gloom in the news these days is it any wonder we're all depressed? There's no money, food and petrol prices are going through the roof, crime is on the increase, the country is housing enough immigrants to sink the island without having enough accommodation for their own, the property market has gone for a Burton and the end is nigh.

This all goes to show us how we have lost sight of what really counts in life. Does the mother gazing down at that miracle of life she has just given birth to really give a monkey's about the housing market right now? Does the elderly man holding the hand of his soul mate while she passes away concern himself with the price of petrol?

Life goes on and we really need to make an effort to take a look around us and appreciate the things that have no monetary value. This country has an abundance of gems that are there for the taking, free of charge, that will fill you with awe and wonder, that will take your breath away and inspire you to love life again.

If you think this is not possible, then now is the time to go hot air ballooning. There is nothing on earth quite like Britain in the Autumn. If you opt for early morning hot air ballooning, you will be literally blown away with the sights that greet you. The sun will rise and burn off the mist that has blanketed the countryside. The view is one of clarity that is more picture perfect now than it is in the summer smog. The air will be crisp and fresh and you will float up, amongst the birds, barely feeling a wisp of breeze on your skin and look down on an amazing site.

Hot air ballooning during the Autumn is the way to get a bird's eye view of all the forgotten things that go unappreciated every day. The light is completely different at this time of year, even over the towns and cities and you can look down at people beginning the days rat race and feel completely detached with a break that will almost bring the same benefits as a full blown holiday.

If you want to truly get away from it all and see a different aspect to life, go hot air ballooning over the countryside. A rich array of colours cloaks the landscape with the reds, gold's and browns of Autumn leaves and bring a spectacle that you will never forget. Your house won't sell, you have to put ten quid in your fuel tank just to get it out of the red and the price of bread has gone up. Well, take a look at the vision all around while hot air ballooning and none of it matters - at least for that period of time.

For a slightly different trip, you could try taking your trip just before dusk. To see flocks of birds who have it sussed - who really don't have a care in the world - come together in formation and make their way into the treetops to settle down for the night shows that there is so much more to this planet than we take notice of. Bats may even start to make the first of their nightly trips out in search of food - their concern is not with the money or housing markets - just on getting by and getting what they need.

Surely if we all took a leaf out of their books we would get by a lot more cheerfully, just like people did in the last recession and hopefully the way they will in the next.