Places to watch the world go by

There's a wonderful tree a little way away from my flat. It's a short walk along a beautiful stretch of the river. I don't visit it nearly as often as I should.

What distinguishes this particular tree from the numerous others that surround is is that it reaches out over the water at an almost ninety degree angle such that it's parallel with the rivers surface and forms a perfect little bench on which to sit and dangle your legs over the river. After a few feet it arcs upwards again at just the right incline to allow you to lie back and watch the world pass by. It's quite a lovely bit of design work on natures part.

For the longest while I've promised myself that I'd go out there one sunny lunchtime (of which there have been many recently), perhaps with a sandwich, and sit with a good book occasionally glancing up at one of the joggers of dog walkers who frequent the area. For some reason it took me this to get around to it. It's such a wonderfully tranquil spot. The river water idles by in no particular hurry, and when the passerbys have passed by there's only the sound of the wildlife to be heard. Utter bliss.

I shall go there again tomorrow, and sit and read and watch the world. Wave if you see me.