A Place to Rest
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381925)
Rockingham, Australia
November 9, 2016 1:21am CST
Ironwood as applied to timber can denote any one of a number of hardwood tree species. The photo shows one of a number of seats placed round about the place at Uluru in the Northern Territory, Australia.
I love the twisted shape of the wood although this isn't the prettiest of the benches. They were a welcoming sight after walking for ages round the massive monolith that is Uluru.
The timber has been salvaged from Darwin, from trees brought down by Cyclone Tracy which struck Darwin on Christmas Eve and continued into Christmas Day in 1974. I thought it was neat that such lovely pieces have come from what was a terrible disaster at the time.
32 people like this
30 responses
@JudyEv (381925)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Nov 16
@HAPPSINGH Thank you. You need a special talent to make these sculptures work.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381925)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Nov 16
There were some that were better looking but there was always someone sitting on them so I didn't like to take a photo. I did think of asking them to move but .....
@1hopefulman (45111)
• Canada
10 Nov 16
@JudyEv Yes, it fits in well with the surroundings and it will attract the attention of passers-by. 
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@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
30 Dec 16
Its nice to see something unique provided by nature. One does not normally sees such things.
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@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
9 Nov 16
Looks so lovely too and I would love to sit on a bench like that after a long long walk. Thanks for sharing this one.
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@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
10 Nov 16
@JudyEv
Would love to have one of those outside to sit on really comfy and nice to look at.
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@JudyEv (381925)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Nov 16
@lovinangelsinstead21 It would look lovely in our bush setting.
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@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
10 Nov 16
that has got to be one of the prettiest benches I have seen
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@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
9 Nov 16
oh, i love 't! i dunno why ya say't aint one'f the purtiest benches? 't speaks to ya with each curve 'n line. 'tis wonderful that they put such to good use. here'n the u.s. they jest shred trees damaged by storms.
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@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
9 Nov 16
@JudyEv yer correct, 'd take a good eye fer such. i imagine 'tis most hefty - a good thingy the way folks seem to enjoy takin' what aint theirs.
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@LindaCPearson (2240)
• United States
9 Nov 16
Beautiful and what a wonderful way to make use of salvaged trees. I love the shape and design. Makes me want to see there and read a good book and enjoy nature.
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@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
11 Nov 16
I enjoy that you always tell us what we need to know. I was thinking that perhaps the tree had grown or been shaped as it grew in place. I thought the bench might still be living. I love that the bench is a reclamation project.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381925)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Nov 16
I love seeing stuff recycled in any way at all but these benches are surely some of the best ways to use the old timber.
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Nov 16
I love the shape of the wood! It's nice to see a bench that isn't just a standard bench made of metal or boards. I like the uniqueness of the bench!
Question for you: I have always heard of the rock referred to as Ayers Rock, but it seems like now everybody just calls it Uluru. Was there an official name change at some point recently, or are the Australians just paying homage to the natives by calling it Uluru?
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@JudyEv (381925)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Nov 16
It's great, isn't it? There were quite a few of them around the area. When you're on a good thing blah blah :)
As regards Uluru, in 1873 the surveyor who came across it named it Ayers Rock and both names were used apparently. In 1993 a dual naming policy meant it was officially Ayers Rock/Uluru. In 2002, the order was reversed but now it's mostly called Uluru. At least Uluru is easier to say and remember than some of the aboriginal names. :)
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22923)
• India
10 Nov 16
Thanks for showing this...its real neat as you say.
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