20230426 Vic Dartmoor

I swear this bloody rain is following us but we found this quite rural town known for its prime grazing land on the Glenelg River that has this lush green camp grounds. As we entered Dartmoor it’s the many wood carvings lining the street that captures your attention, but first we need to find that camp spot with our name on, and we scored our very own picnic table, this will do us for a couple of days.

Cypress trees were planted prior to World War II by Dartmoor to beautify the roadside leading to the newly constructed road bridge over the Glenelg River.

It was the Atlantic Cedar Trees which were planted on 7th September 1918 to commemorate 

WW1 Servicemen and Nurses from Dartmoor and District.

The spectacular carvings were completed by chainsaw Sculptor Kevin Gilders. The carvings are on butts of nine trees, in a section of the Avenue of Honour within the town. 

Trees identified as dangerous were lopped in 2006 and carved with suitable images and themes then finished with water based decking oil. The Dartmoor Memorial Streetscape was opened on Anzac Day 2003.

A steady hand and a bit of creativeness and Walla, you have an amazing sculpture.

As I stand here admiring these sculptures dedicated to our Anzac’s I am in awe of the importance this artist has brought to this town.

Avenue of Honour and Fairytale Tree Carvings

All I can say is thanks to the chainsaw artist Kevin Gilders for this amazing display of carvings.

20230427 Each morning we would slowly drag ourselves out of bed, or Des would while I waited for that call, Lee breakfast is ready and up I jump out of bed. After we filled our bellies I would blog while Des walked the streets looking for a camper to chat to.

Put a dollar in the matching and watch him come to life.

Across the road in “The Village Green” I found what I think is a Yabbie, at what was once a gathering place and recreational area for the town up until the advent of the railway in 1915, when it was split by the installation of the line after World War Il, but I have little clue as to what the Yabbie in the park represents.

Major Mitchell Explorer camped at junction of Chanel and Crawford River that’s opposite this obelisk, 17th August 1836.

On one of our walks we noticed some locals heading down a path so we decided to follow and came across the swimming hole, believe it or not they were actually swimming, now that’s got to be freezing I yelled, it’s refreshing they said, Ya sure.

It’s 1am and we just sat down for a cup of tea after Des nagged me for some of my cake, then Mr piggie was licking a sharp knife when he dropped it and stabbed himself right through the crease at the bottom of his finger. Well, it pumped out blood for what seemed like for ever, so it looks like I have to cook dinner tonight, the things you do to get out of cooking but I draw the line at washing up in cold water.

I found a new recipe, Feta, Bacon & Sweet Potato Frittata with Slaw and it was delicious, this recipe is a keeper.

Dartmoor Camping 👍