Mistake Being Rectified

This is our picnic bench bought as a birthday present for BrambleBlossom many years ago, at least 20.

A few years ago I put on a waterproof coating that was a mistake as it started flaking off within the first year.  Lots of occasional peeling and a lot of the wood was uncovered.  I have wanted to strip it for 'a while', and this dry spell prompted me to start.

I don't know why I used such a dark brown and won't repeat the mistake.

Some little snippets to add. I am using a red handled Mora knife from Sweden to scrape the wood. The reflected tree looks to have a halo. If you remember Beauty and the Beast then I feel the table could have been a dog in the cartoon.