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  • Up with the Lark

  • My Life on the Land
  • By: Joan Bomford
  • Narrated by: Anna Bentinck
  • Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (104 ratings)
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Up with the Lark cover art

Up with the Lark

By: Joan Bomford
Narrated by: Anna Bentinck
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Summary

Joan Bomford, BBC Countryfile's Farming Hero of 2015, has lived all her life in the lush, rolling countryside of the Vale of Evesham, where cows graze the water meadows of the River Avon and modern life seems far away.

Farming is in Joan's blood. Generations of her family have worked the land, and in Up with the Lark, Joan tells us with warmth, wit and great insight what it's been like to live through an era of such enormous change. Now aged 83, Farmer Joan is still active, making hay, feeding the farm's beef cattle, and running the riding school that she dreamed of as a child.

A natural storyteller, Joan Bomford shares many heartwarming and magical events - like the elephant who came to stay and the gentle tricks played on the evacuees who refused to eat her mother's rabbit stew. Yet her life has not been one long rural idyll - Joan watched helplessly as her cattle were swept away in a sudden flood and witnessed the night sky alight with the German bombing of Coventry - and latterly she's had to deal with family tragedy.

Up with the Lark is a portrait of a forgotten era and a celebration of the qualities that make Joan Bomford an inspiration to us all: her passion for the land, a love of family and a determination to make the most of life.

©2015 Joan Bomford (P)2015 Hodder & Stoughton

What listeners say about Up with the Lark

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Inspiring read

My favourite audible book so far. It was a delight to listen to and the narrator was perfect for the part, so well read.It was inspiring to hear of Joan's life as a farmer and although not an easy one a truly happy life. Cannot praise this book enough it is like listening to the tales of your favourite grandma, a warm and friendly experience.

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delightful story of a remarkable woman.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you are interested in English farming, survival of the farmers over the years and a glimpse back in to how life used to be more simple then this is the book for you.

Any additional comments?

loved every moment of this book, i actually looked forward to the commute just so i could put my headphones back on. It was a charming story mixed with the struggles in the past. Life as it used to be when times were simple, low tech and when people had better values. . A moving story and a remarkable woman.

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Excellent well worth a listen

Lovely story about a farming family through the years from very young to very old with all the ups and downs along the way.

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Thank you Joan

Thank you for sharing your life story with me, it’s the best book I’ve ever listened too!

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Wonderful Story

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful story with us Joan. I loved every minute of of this beautifully written and narrated book. I thought I work hard, but I can honestly say your achievements are amazing.

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Heartwarming

What a wonderful lady. She made a huge success of her life with humour and hard work, always looking for the good.

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a good listen

I learned a lot about farming in southern England post war and thereafter and enjoyed the read

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beautiful

a delightful account of a hard working lady who shares the joys of farming

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Beautiful in every way

If you love the outdoors and rural life this beautiful book will transport you there...when steam and horses worked the land...morals were paramount and love meant for life. An inspirational tale of an outstanding womans life . I feel blessed to have been allowed to learn about.

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exceptional

A heartwarming story of the life of a farm girl who followed her heart and stayed true to herself, an amazing journey through time. The best book I've read in a long time!

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