18 Comments
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Julie McCoy's avatar

Didn’t want to be the American idiot who had to look up mudlarking so thanks for explaining it. Kinda. Although when it rains on our “ estate” aka the backyard and we sat down in it, does that count? Lovely article.

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Will Cooper's avatar

On the days where the tide covers everything in a thin layer of silty mud, then yes, sitting in the mud in the garden certainly counts.

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Theo's avatar

Thanks Julie. And don’t worry, there’ll be plenty of Brits who aren’t familiar with mudlarking (probably zero under-30s 😆).

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Will Cooper's avatar

If you’d like to read the most wonderful book about Mudlarking, please try and find this. One of the most vivid and colourful reads.

https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/mudlarking-year-9781526660763/

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Julie McCoy's avatar

Thanks. I wonder living close to the Erie Canal in Upstate NY (and walking the trail nearly daily) whether there will be any "objects" to find that tell forgotten stories. Probably not, it's usually just discarded plastic water bottles.

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Will Cooper's avatar

I don’t know how that river works, but if it is tidal and comes inland out leaving a foreshore then its safe to say its worth a look. Research safety first though please.

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sherry langevin's avatar

loved reading this; loved how he used the apples, and the inclusion of the wild roses towards the end.

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Will Cooper's avatar

Thank you Sherry .

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Lisa McLean's avatar

Will Cooper is a national treasure. Every thing he writes is either

1. Inspiring

2. Interesting

3. Totally new to me and I want to try it.

4. Delicious

5. Like a poem flowing to the beat of a grandfather’s clock.

6. Etc, etc, etc

He is my favourite writer on Substack, I’d never miss a post.

Oh god you are calling the police, ok I’ll stop.

The 19 cats………

Had me laughing out loud.

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Will Cooper's avatar

And two snakes…

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Lisa McLean's avatar

Now I'm laughing like a loon.

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Theo's avatar

😁 He deserves a bigger audience, I reckon.

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Lisa McLean's avatar

So true Theo, great post by the way.

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Theo's avatar

Many thanks! 🙏 All credit to Will though really.

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Tony Lupton's avatar

Mudlarking eh? I know Will's got layers, but there's a new one!

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Will Cooper's avatar

A couple of muddy layers as well…

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Baird Brightman's avatar

I appreciate Will Cooper's diligent pursuit of excellence, and his strong talent for communicating that process in words and images. Thanks for helping to tell his story, Theo. Your essay topics on Ways of Life are appealing and I look forward to reading more of them! 👏

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Theo's avatar

Thank you Baird! Much appreciated.

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