Every park bench has a story to tell and when I see one, I can’t help dreaming up a history; a first date, a stolen kiss perhaps, an argument, tearful goodbyes, old friends laughing, children feeding birds or a couple sharing a picnic. Here are a few benches with stories to tell.
Walking through the University of Washington campus in Seattle, I spotted this great stone bench against a bloom-filled hedge, with a drift of fallen cherry blossom on the ground. What an idyllic spot to cram for finals.
A bench with a view at the Snug Harbor Botanical Gardens on Staten Island, overlooking the Healing Garden; a living memorial to the Staten Islanders lost on 9/11.
Manhattan‘s Battery Park wins my vote for the comfiest and most beautiful benches I’ve found to date. I’ve whiled away many a happy hour here, watching the world go by.
I was stopped in my tracks along the Jersey Shore by this startlingly beautiful wreath and dedication on a bench looking out to sea.
These are my favourite benches in Central Park. There’s something so elegant about their simplicity, and a dusting of snow makes them look even lovelier.
I usually try to find an empty bench I can have all to myself, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way. This little guy didn’t even bother wiping the remains of his lunch off his whiskers before getting all up in my personal space.
Now it’s your turn while I take a back seat. If you would like to join in this week’s travel theme (everyone’s welcome!) here’s what to do:
- Create your own post and title it Travel theme: Benches
- Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
- Get your post in by next Thursday, as the new travel theme comes out on Friday
- Don’t forget to subscribe to keep up to date on the latest weekly travel themes. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS.
I’m on the edge of my seat waiting to see what you come up with!
xxx Ailsa
Where's my backpack? 
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Great gallery, and a fun theme. I never realised so many benches had crept into my images without me noticing…..anyway, here’s my post http://suejudd.com/2013/04/13/weekly-travel-theme-benches/
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Lovely benches! Here’s one from Switzerland… http://megtraveling.com/2013/04/13/travel-theme-benches/
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Here is my entry 🙂
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While searching for interesting benches I found out about the Singapore National Stadium and had a great time at the Singapore City Gallery. I learnt a lot, and look what I found!
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the one 2 from the top is my favourite.
http://roosdoring.wordpress.com/2013/04/13/weekly-travel-theme-benches/
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That squirrel did not have a hard winter. 🙂
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My benches, just everyday benches,http://wp.me/p2Ce06-J2
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Nice squirrel, Ailsa. 🙂
Here’s another bench: http://wp.me/p16tta-p7.
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What a great collection of benches! Thanks Ailsa 🙂 http://sasieology.wordpress.com/2013/04/13/travel-theme-benches/
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You gave me new ideas to photograph benches next time. I love it! Here’s mine: http://bebs1.wordpress.com/2013/04/13/travel-theme-benches-of-san-juan-capistrano/
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A little ditty about some benches, just for fun. 🙂 http://beyondpaisley.net/2013/04/13/travel-theme-benches-part-deux/
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Hi Ailsa – interesting choice this week – here’s another selection – http://lynneayersbeyondthebrush.wordpress.com/2013/04/13/street-photography/
one from my photo blog – http://beyondthebrushphotography.wordpress.com/2013/04/13/street-photography-selective-colour/
I really had to look hard for some photos to meet this weeks travel theme “benches.” I found a few but that was only because we were putting them to use.
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I knew right away which bench I wanted to show but didn’t have a picture! Now I have two. 🙂
Hope you like them: http://nwframeofmind.com/2013/04/13/weekly-travel-theme-benches/
I forgot to add – I love your Staten Island and Battery Park benches!
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i really love the snowy benches ailsa, a novelty for me … here are mine … almost all full of people 🙂 http://dadirridreaming.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/benches/
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As always, a superb colleciton of photographs, Ailsa. Those snow-dusted benches in Central Park are beautiful in their simplicity, as you say, but I imagine the stories – of its benefactor, and the generations of students and teachers who’ve sat on that romantic stone bench at the Seattle university, especially in Spring!
I’ve managed a post this week – it was fun, thanx! http://thewanderlustgene.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/three-pots-and-a-plank/
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Hi Ailsa, please find my entry for this lovely theme!
Regards,
Michael
What a great travel theme this week! Benches are a great focal point for a landscape photo. That bench in Battery park is quite unique! My meagre contribution is here: http://forestwoodfolkart.wordpress.com/2013/04/15/travel-theme-benches/
Pingback: The wisdom of a bench | Thirdeyemom
You did it again Ailsa! Wow….I LOVE the first bench. Are there really all those cherry blossoms now? We are still getting SNOW!!! You will see in these pictures that it is more like winter than Spring here in MN. Crazy weather. Anyway, thanks as always for your beautiful inspiring themes. Here is my entry:
http://thirdeyemom.com/2013/04/14/the-wisdom-of-a-bench/
While looking at the benches, you wonder how many stories could be told by the occupants. L love this theme!
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Hi, Ailsa. Your benches are beautiful – such a wonderful collection. Here is my interpretation of your theme.
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Great shots – love the squirrel! A tad late with this post – today was one of those fantastic weather days here in Paris thus promoting a big walk! As I was walking I kept my eye out for “benches” – here are a few of my favorite for today and hope you all enjoy: http://thephotoseye.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/travel-theme-benches/