Sunday March 16, 2014

We did get an early start today.  As we were loading panniers on to the bikes it started to rain.  The forecast was for showers, we carried on.  We left Mount Gambier at 8:15 in a light shower.  Unfortunately for us the heavens opened and we were cold and wet for the first 40 kms.

We crossed into the State of Victoria at the 17.5 kms mark.  It was still raining.

It stopped raining as we came towards Dartmoor. I told Ralf about the tree carvings in Dartmoor but we decided because we were cold to by-pass them.  However, as luck would have it Ralf noticed the sign for the public toilets and we diverted into the Village.  It was well worth the stop.  As Ralf was taking the photos a little old lady came out of one of the cottages and gave him two brochures telling us about the Village and the carvings.  The Memorial Streetscape was created from nine trees that had been identified as dangerous.  The trees had originally been planted in September 1918 to commemorate WW 1.

The Nurse – Nurses were beacons of hope and comfort

Sad News – Telegrams notifying deaths were sent to local clergymen so they could break the news

At Arms – Australian soliders were respected for their courage

The Boy at War – it was common for young men – boys- to lie about their age

Three Services – Men from the local area served in all 3 services

Over the Top – A digger climbing the trench

Rest in Peace

The Parting – some men were \’farewelled\’ by a wife and children – others were held by the their parents

The Game – “Two Up” The phrase “The Game” was also the Soldier’s euphemism for The War and just as luck determined a win at “Two Up” so did it often determine survival on the battlefield.

We were going to stop at Winnap where there was supposed to be a campsite.  Apparently the campsite has been closed for 10 years, it is still showing on the maps. No campsite to be seen but we had already decided to carry on to Heywood, as it is a bigger town and we would have a couple of choices for camping or motel.

We chose to stay in a cabin tonight.  It has everything and we have decided that this is all we will need when we have finished the Grand Adventure, maybe a bigger bathroom.