ARE you sitting comfortably? Well, if you’ve stopped to read this while out on a stroll in Green Lanes or near Totternhoe Knolls, I’m sure you are.
There has been a lot of talk lately about fantastic carved wooden benches that have suddenly sprung up in that part of our world.
I say benches. But these wonderful wooden works of art really look just like comfy sofas.
A photo of one was emailed to me, so I thought I’d share it with you.
I can’t get over the workmanship.
Take a look – the bench in this picture has gorgeous carved birds and butterflies.
One comment seen on the Internet talked about seeing one of the benches near the Knolls picnic area.
The writer says she drove up and at first just caught sight of the bench from the corner of her eye.
She said to her companion: “How terrible, someone has dumped a sofa there!”
And the writer added drily: “She despairs of me at times.”
A closer look revealed a new ‘benchmark’ for landscape art.
Apparently, Central Beds Council has had a hand in the amazing additions to the area.
I’ve made some enquiries and I’ll fill you in once I hear more.
The bench reminds me of the amazing carved sculptures in Rushmere Country Park, on the edge of Heath and Reach, including a giant chair and a huge open ‘book’.
These artists really are carving out a place in posterity!
SO how are you, now that the Olympics are under way.
Feeling a little under the weather by any chance?
I only ask because a survey in my email inbox tells me that the average Dunstablian plans to pull a “sickie” and take between two to three days off during the Games.
Tut, tut. Six per cent of men from Dunstable were (allegedly) all set to skip work just to watch the women’s beach volleyball.
Sigh. And more than 1,580 people from the area were expected to buy new TVs to watch all the Olympic action.
Ho hum. Well, what we lose in productivity we’ll gain in telly sales.
The survey, from Littlewoods.com, says 30 per cent of people who were asked said they would be skipping work to see young diver Tom Daley in action; 26 per cent to cheer on swimmer Rebecca Adlington; and 21 per cent to watch the GB athletics team.
Just remember, dodgy sick days won’t look good on your ‘track’ record...
HAVE you tweeted me yet? Follow me (@Dunstable_Anne) and I’ll follow you back.
I’ve already told you about my Twitter friend Brian the Koi, @Brian_The_Koi, who lives in Dunstable Aquatics.
His profile says: “I’m Brian. I’m a fish. A Koi to be precise, you can find me swimming around with my fellow koi at Dunstable Aquatics. Likes spitting water and swimming.”
But I don’t think I mentioned Cyril the Squirrel.
His profile says: “I am Cyril the Squirrel and I live in Priory House Gardens. To find out more please go to our Facebook page Friends of Priory House & Gardens (FOPHAG) - Thanks.”
I’m a bit worried about Cyril. I told a colleague that Cyril didn’t seem to have been tweeting for months.
He said birds tweet, squirrels squeak.
I don’t think he’s really getting into the spirit of Twitter.
Where are you, @Cyril1Squirrel?