See the world from your bench

I hope Gardenhistorygirl won't mind that I've stolen the image above from her blog (do visit, do visit, straight away, I promise you won't regret it, apart from the work that will sit there undone while you read and read).

Anyway, the photo is actually of a model of Kingsnorth Gardens in Folkestone, done in the 1950s. It's the work of a Mr and Mrs Grace who lived just opposite the gardens, and is a faithful reproduction, "complete to the smallest detail, including tiny trees, curving paths, fences, gates, lawns and even tiny fountains which actually play."

I've been thinking on a slightly bigger scale. What if you created a miniature of the whole little world around your bench. Then you could just put out your foot and squash whatever country is annoying you. Pick up your watering can and, whoopsadaisy, there's a rainstorm. Or sprinkle flower seeds where you like. And happiness, and gold coins.

OK OK, I know I'm getting carried away now...