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On the Marsh
- A Year Surrounded by Wildness and Wet
- Narrated by: Simon Barnes
- Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins
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On the Marsh
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Summary
How the rewilding of eight acres of Norfolk marshland inspired a family and brought nature even closer to home.
When writer Simon Barnes heard a Cetti's warbler sing out as he turned up to look at a house for sale, he knew immediately that he had found his new home. The fact that his garden backed onto an area of marshy land only increased the possibilities, but there was always the fear that it might end up in the wrong hands and be lost to development or intensive farming. His wife saw through the delicate negotiations for the purchase. Once they'd bought it, they began to manage it as a conservation area, working with the Wildlife Trust to ensure it became as appealing as possible to all species. For their son Eddie, who has Down's syndrome, it became a place of calm and inspiration.
In On The Marsh, we see how nature can always bring surprises, and share in the triumphs as new animals - Chinese water deer, otters and hedgehogs - arrive, and watch as the number of species of bird tops 100 and keeps on growing. As the seasons go by, there are moments of triumph when not one but two marsh harrier families use the marsh as a hunting ground, but also disappointments as chemical run-off from neighbouring farmland creates a nettles monoculture in newly turned earth.
For anyone who enjoyed books such as Meadowland, or the writing of Stephen Moss, Roger Deakin or Adam Nicolson, this is a vivid and beautifully told account of the wonders that can sometimes be found on our doorsteps, and how nature can transform us all.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- JPA
- 17-10-20
Delightful, informative and gives me hope!
An absolute pleasure to listen to. I laughed, could have wept, and learnt things about birds, wildlife general, ecosystems and people.
Read and enjoy. I especially enjoyed the poems.
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5 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 24-03-24
Enchanting & educational
You’re life will be enhanced by listening to Simons lovely descriptions of his exquisite piece of marsh and the flora & fauna. And also the accounts of Eddie were an added bonus. A book to lift the soul!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Vicki Jordan
- 27-11-19
waiting for surgery
I missed a lot of it as I dozed in the night. but when awake it was of great comfort. the natural world has always been at my core and when fearful it is of great comfort. Thank you and Eddie
Vicki
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 28-03-20
Nature writing at it's best.
Thoroughly recommend this audio book for anyone who enjoys listening in this case to someone who can transport the listener / reader to the magical experience of the wilderness through the knowledge & enthusiasm of the writer. I have a number of Simon Barnes books in paperback. But to be able to listen to the author has felt like being in his company in and sharing his world of nature from his patch of it.
Hopefully listening to this book will encourage others with an interest in nature to get out and explore their own patch of nature wherever possible and lift one's spirits.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- coz
- 13-07-20
lovely listen
part memoir, part ode to nature. A celebration of birds, wildlife and family life. I really enjoyed it!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 21-01-20
touching and inspiring
in equal measure educational, touching, inspirational and deeply personal. what an absolutely amazing book. cannot recommend enough
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- c
- 19-08-19
Beautiful, powerful, delightful... perfect book
I loved this book. It made my heart lift and soften and sing. Thank you.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Bunnyhunt
- 16-06-20
A breath of fresh air
In these troubled times it is reassuring to hear that nature carries on regardless and hopefully may do so and when mankind finally destroys itself maybe the planet will renew and repair the damage we have done. Have long admired Simon Barnes's style of writing and will continue to seek out his work.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- peter
- 11-03-23
asthma ruined this narrative
interesting book but ket down by wheezy writer who narrates.. be better to read rather than have it on audio .
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ginger
- 19-01-20
Great picture
An in depth picture of the marshland that Simon and his wife bought as an extension to their Norfolk garden. Written with passion and deep knowledge, it brings the inhabitants of the marshland to life - the changing seasons, the residents, the coming and going of migratory birds and, above all the need for joined up wild areas. A delight for anyone who loves Nature.
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5 people found this helpful