“A wise old owl sat on an oak;
The more he saw the less he spoke;
The less he spoke the more he heard;
Why aren’t we like that wise old bird?” ~ Nursery rhyme
Jude’s Bench Series this month calls for benches that have unusual detail. This beautiful owl bench at Winkworth Arboretum, Godalming, is carved out of a tree trunk with a chainsaw. The owl detail is absolutely amazing and a great example of how successfully, art and nature can be combined.
The other unusual detail on the bench, is my mom-in-law, who was 99-years-old at the time.
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Whoooooever created that sculpture has quite the talent!
RoSy, you’re to- too-witty. š
The detail on the owls is amazing having been done with a chainsaw. your MIL is an amazing person too.
Thanks so much, Pauline. š
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Thanks for the mention, Jude. š
Can I say it? I just have to…three gorgeous birds on a bench š Sylvia, the owl carving is just beautiful and I love this photo of you and your lovely mother-in-law š xx
Thanks so much for the lovely compliment, Sherri. xx š
š xx
Such a beautiful bench Sylvia! And its occupants complement it perfectly š
Thank you for your lovely comment, Madhu. š
Congratulation for your mother in law .She looks 70 ans what a fantastic benche
Thanks, Marylou. Yes, she does look at least 20 years younger than she actually is, even now at almost 102. š
what a great bench!!
Yes, I thought so too. š
do you feel watched over when you are seated on that bench?
Yes, I guess so. Lots of pairs of beady eyes. š
LOL
This may be one of the loveliest benches I ever saw, Ad! I looked at it in close up and would have got closer still if I could š Though I guess you’d need a cushion for extended stays š Neat rhyme too. And now I’m off to check out Sue’s link to see what I’ve been missing. Who says blogging’s not educational?
Thanks, Jo. Glad you enjoyed the bench and the rhyme. Thanks for the Tweet too. š xx
What a lovely nursery rhyme and beautiful bench, I wonder if birds perch there sometimes.
Thank you so much. I didn’t see any ‘evidence’ of birds having perched there. š
Beautiful carving – what a neat find Sylvia!
Thanks, Mary. It was a lovely find. š
Beautiful bench, lovely ladies!
Thanks, LuAnn. xx
beautiful bench and an amazing mother in law!!
Right on both counts, Cybele. Thank you. š
Love the bench, the poem, and all the wise birds!
Thanks, Nancy. Glad you enjoyed the combination. š
Oh Sylvia, what a find!! I’d love to have a bench like that..or even find one like it;)
Thanks, Kathy. Me too. š
Schƶnes Foto lieber GruĆ und einen schƶnen Tag eine groĆe Umarmung Gislinde
Thanks so much Gislinde, Hugs to you too. š xx
Gorgeous girls for an unusual bench…
……and a fantastic , wise , nursery rhyme!
Thank you so much. š
This is a real hoot! Love your bench, Sylvia.
Hahaha. Thanks for the smiles, Pat. š
I think that is wonderful sitting with the wooden owls. I am sure young kids love to sit there.
Not only young kids. š
LoL
What a wonderfully wise bench, Sylvia. And you both look gorgeous š
Thanks, Dianne. š
It’s lovely, possible the same artist as at Abbotsbury!
I saw that Matthew Crabb is the chainsaw artist for Abbotsbury, but couldn’t link him to Winkworth. His sculptures are so amazing though. http://exmoorchainsawcarving.co.uk/portfolio.html
Very wise bench…hosting two beautiful ladies!!
Thanks, Helen. š
Wonderful bench and the “sitters” are fun to see. Such detail on the carvings. Thanks for your blog visits and likes and good comments Sylvia.
Thanks so much, Ruth. It’s always a pleasure to visit you. š xx
I never saw this on my visits to Winkworth! Maybe it appeared after I left (2011) but I think this is my favourite this week. Such talent! And such lovely ladies sitting on it too š
Thanks so much for the compliment, Jude. š
You have inspired me by snapping a picture of cool benches. I have encountered a few but I just stop and admired them. I hope I will see more as we travelled along.
I hope you will link any you find and photograph to the challenge – it is all very friendly and there are monthly themes to make it easier (or maybe harder?)
https://smallbluegreenwords.wordpress.com/bench-series/
Jude xx
Thanks, Mona Liza. Of course, hubby snapped this one. I’m sure you must see a good many benches on your travels.
All in all some nice looking families on this bench. We have a few carved trees, but all are still standing, not made into useful benches.
Thanks so much, Violet. š
lovely picture of you and your MIL, Sylvia! very interesting bench š love the quote š
Thanks, Lola. Glad you enjoyed. š
Now that is an amazingly unusual and beautiful bench!! You and your MIL add to the beauty too š
Thank you for your lovely comment, Lisa. š
Besonderse een!
Yes, very special. š
This is a lovely bench – and such clever carving.
Yes, I was so fascinated to see the beautiful detail. š
Wise and very beautiful at the same time!!!! What a find! š
Happy Monday, Sylvia. xx
Thanks so much, Marina. Hope you’re having a happy Monday too. š xx
What a superb bench and lovely to see the two of you looking so relaxed and happy Sylvia.
Thanks so much, Adrian. It was rather cool that day, but as you can see, we were well wrapped-up. š
I love this bench! wow the whole thing is one beautiful carving š
Thanks, Andy. It’s one of the most beautiful benches I’ve ever seen or sat upon. It was quite comfortable too. š
Now that’s not something often heard when it comes to benches alright š
Sadly this is too true. š
That is fantastic Sylvia. Both the owls and your Mom in law!
Thanks, Sue. We sat there admiring the view for quite a while. š
so beautiful so beautiful and you are both so nice too, Thank you, lov e, nia
Thanks for your lovely comment, Nia. xx š
Yeah Sylvia, the benches are one of the keys for a more positive world… š
I think you may be right about that, Drake. š
Now that really is an unusual bench and I love the verse you supplied to go with it!
Thanks, Torrie. I think it’s a very wise quote. š
Indeed it is!
Great minds – I was looking to see if I had an image of one of the Winkworth benches, but don’t appear to have kept it! š
Ha…….I couldn’t find the original photo, so pinched this one from my old blog site. š
šš
Does your MiL live near Winkworth then Sylvia?
Not far away. She is in Bucks Green.
Sounds pretty. I used to live in Haslemere so about the same distance from Winkworth as her in the other direction.
Yes, it’s a very tiny village indeed, and she’s the oldest resident. š
You mean there were/are more? How come I didn’t see any?
There were some fox benches in one area between the car park and the view with the owl benches..,.,
I missed these. š¦ Maybe I’ll have to go again, and this time I’ll make sure the bluebells are in flower too. š
The fox benches were created in memory of Dr Fox, Winkworth’s creator. Here you go: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/winkworth-arboretum/things-to-see-and-do/
Thanks, Sue.