Thanks enormously to Rusty Cohn for stepping in and sharing his brilliant photographs while I was once again in the hospital yet again with sepsis rendering me feverishly incapable of doing anything else. I am better but a little weaker with lots of strange memories, of my adventure among the medieval walled city that is a medical unit battling covid, (which I thankfully do not have). It’s all masks, shields and armor in the castle so it was nice to roll out into the actual world where it was raining and leaves were fallen.

The best thing that happened while I was there was that I got an email from Sam Gandy who was the author of the paper I wrote about a while ago saying how nice it was to read my review and asking if he could quote it for the upcoming Beaver Trust blog he was writing.

I’m writing a blogpost article on my paper for the Beaver Trust, and I was wondering if there might be any chance of quoting you? It would be wonderful to get a perspective on this topic from someone outside the UK. For context, I’m attaching a draft copy of my blogpost post – it would be wonderful to have your input Heidi if you’re game! Many thanks, have a great weekend ?

Of course I was game, because I am widely known as a ‘cheap quote’ and anyone is welcome to repeat my words as often as possible. Especially a researcher from the Synthesis Institute in the Netherlands. I’m sorry to say though, I was incapable of having a ‘great weekend’ although I didn’t bother to tell him that. When his blog is posted I will share it, he sent along the text and here is the quote he wanted to use:

“This article was specifically written for the damaged British countryside but honestly, we have all damaged our countrysides and watching beavers awaken them has the same effect in Denver as it does in Devon.”

Which I smiled to read again because sometimes I am a very sloppy writer and worse editor but I do occasionally manage to wield a little bit of successful alliteration. It is nice to be noticed.

Anyway I’m sure his blog will be amazing because the paper was one of the brightest stars I can remember reading. If you need to refresh your memory about it, it’s here.

European Journal of Ecopsychology 7: 41 – 74 (2021) Potential psychological benefits of nature enrichment through the reintroduction of the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) to Britain: A narrative literature review

Now thank you again to Rusty, and to any readers for your patience and god willing we will get this wagon train back on the road as usual. I loved all the photos Rusty shared but this was the one that melted my heart.