Rewild Yourself, written by Simon Barnes, is an inspiring handbook with endearing stories and ideas that provide the encouragement and incentive we need to get closer to our natural world with 23 'spellbinding ways to make Nature more visible.'

Each chapter is introduced with quotes from adventure story tellers such as C S Lewis, Rudyard Kipling, James Joyce and J K Rowling which capture a sense of magic, mystery and adventure that runs throughout the book.

Simon shares so many ideas and practices for the novice and those looking for inspiration to return to nature. It's a great resource for learning about and trying out new things, and to go in search of wild things in wild places.

Chapter topics include things like observing and naming common wildlife species and birds as a way to become more familiar with the natural world and boost motivation; realising the magic of waterproof trousers that can give us access to nature in all topographies and weathers; what to love about snakes and animal dung; and the joys of early rising and reading secret signs.

The bottomless sit

My favourite way to make nature more visible is the 'bottomless sit'. I can vouch for the fact that there is nothing quite like finding the perfect place to sit for a while and lose yourself in nature. This is especially satisfying if you have walked a fair way or have discovered a beautiful place which is less visited and off the beaten track.

Simon brings two magical things together by saying: 'The spell of the bottomless sit works well when combined with the spell of the magic waterproof trousers [or dry-bag].' He recommends introducing the practice in easy stages where you need to keep going until you reach a moment when the urge to move decreases. This is when you start to notice the birds and watch them in the hope that something wonderful will turn up such as a Kingfisher, an Otter, a Badger, a Dragonfly or other such privileged sighting.

I love that a whole chapter is dedicated to the art of sitting still, moving slowly and melding into the landscape so that normal life can resume around you having initially disturbed the peace on arrival. By becoming invisible, things quickly return to normal and one by one, all kinds of animals, birds and wildlife start to appear.

Time travel

Another idea is 'time travel' and the joys that can be experienced by getting up and out in time to watch the sunrise and listen to the Dawn Chorus. Simon suggests that this is the biggest wildlife miracle in Britain which is open to us all, no matter who we are or where we happen to live. I am fortunate to be able to listen to the birds as soon as I wake up living so close to many trees but I must admit when I go out to watch the sunrise, I am reminded that there is nothing quite like it and I should do it much more often.

Bring the outside in

Simon is conscious of the fact that it is not always possible to go outside and explore nature and the kind of wild places he talks about and so his words have been written in a way that will place you there in your imagination with suggested ideas on how you can take part.

A great read and reference book that helps us to pay closer attention to nature and the wonders of our natural world.

Sue Cartwright AInstAM

Community Assembly of the British Isles

Editor