Welcome to Life Images by Jill

Welcome to Life Images by Jill.........Stepping into the light and bringing together the images and stories of our world. I am a photographer, writer and multi-media artist.
Focussing mainly on Western Australia and Australia, I am seeking to preserve images and memories of the beautiful world in which we live and the people in it.

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Tuesday 1 August 2017

Down in the woods today - Gnomesville, Ferguson Valley, Western Australia

"If you go down to the woods today, You're sure of a big surprise" goes the song The Teddy bear's Picnic, but in this case they were not teddy bears, they were Gnomes. Thousands of them! Actually over 10,000! - though I am not sure how they counted them. 

Where were we? Gnomesville in the beautiful Ferguson Valley, about eighteen kilometres from Dardanup in Western Australia's beautiful south west. 



 


The number of gnomes nestled here at Gnomesville standing on logs, trailing through the bush, climbing among the branches, and strolling along the paths, defies description. They are all shapes and sizes and colours. Everywhere you turn there are gnomes! It is rather overwhelming to see so many gnomes in one spot. and its equally difficult to show you the enormity of Gnomesville with photos. You just have to go there. They even have their own Facebook and Instagram page.


   
But why are they here? Evidently there are are various stories about how the first gnome came to be at Gnomesville 21 years ago.  Some say that no-one has ever admitted to putting that first gnome at Gnomesville, but your can read the "official" version on a sign at the site, or in brief here.....

A roundabout was constructed in the early 1990s due to community concern about a school bush stop at the original Y-junction.  Near the roadside was a large redgum tree with a hollow close to the ground, and a local resident Kathleen Rees thought it was a great place for a gnome home, so she placed one here. In the round-about a cricket pitch, complete with gnomes playing appeared, converted to a football field in winter. The gnomes were eventually moved from the roundabout to the corner due to safety concerns for people visiting. More gnomes followed and Gnomesville grew and grew.  

Here are just a few of them! 


Today Gnomesville is the third most popular free roadside attraction in Australia. Gnomes visit and take up residence from all over the world. Tourist buses stop here. Clubs visit.  What does a retirement village outing and a motor bike touring club have in common? They both visit Gnomesville and leave gnomes here of course! 

You can even have a game of chess at Gnomesville.


 And to help you on on your way around the beautiful Ferguson Valley the Shire has conveniently installed a map so you can visit wineries, restaurants and galleries. It is easy to make a day of it in the Ferguson Valley. 


The Dardanup Shire now care for and maintain the site. But please aware this is on the edge of private property. Please be respectful and please do not trample down fences when you visit or look for a home for your gnome.
More info here - Gnomesville
- and hereFerguson Valley


I hope you have enjoyed your visit to Gnomesville. Have you ever been there? Do you know of any other Gnomesvilles around the world? Perhaps you would like to tell us about them in your comments. 
ps - you might like to check out the gnomesville in Wickepin in Western Australia's wheatbelt, if you happen to be travelling through the area. 

Thank you so much for stopping by. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week.

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!


Mosaic Monday 
Life in Reflection
Weekend Travel Inspiration
All Seasons 

Hello there! I love reading your comments. Just click down here to comment too! 

29 comments:

  1. Oh My Goodness...how awesome is that to walk through, I bet. Nice.

    Peabea@Peabea Scribbles

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  2. Looks like a fun day! In the twilight though it could be a little creepy thinking they're following you! Your imagination could run wild!

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    1. yes it can be a little creepy with so many gnomes!

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  3. I saw a couple of the Disney 7 dwarfs, so not all gnomes. Must be related! LOL
    It is probably fun to bring a gnome to add but I would put mine in an area to be discovered!

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  4. What a place! What a magical delight and what great photos ~ thanks, ^_^

    My blog is now A Shutterbug Explores) aka A Creative Harbor and posting daily )

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    1. HI Carol, I'm on my way to visit you over on shutterbug explores.

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  5. So sweet! There's gnome place like gnome.

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  6. What a fun place!
    Thanks for giving us a smile by sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2017/07/pm-paddle-on-lake.html

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  7. I absolutely adore this gnomesville! Made me smile and keep smiling as I followed your footsteps through it!

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  8. Your visit at Gnomeland is delightful! If it wasn't so far I would certainly visit it! This would be an excellent and heartwarming experience to link a photo to ALL SEASONS (every Sunday through Wednesday 7pm USA time. The url is artworksfromjeststg (dot) wordpress (dot) com. Hope to see you there!

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    1. many thanks for the invite! I will see you over there!

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  9. This post made me giggle! I would LOVE to visit the gnomes in Gnomesmville!!

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  10. Oh I love Gnomesville! It's such an enigma! I love the first image of the gnome on a swing - he looks so deliriously happy. I'd like to feel like he looks, all the time!

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    1. me too... I used to love swinging when I was a child. I wonder when we stopped doing that?

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  11. o my, that is a lot of gnomes :) Loved to see it!

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  12. Fancy it being the third most popular road side attraction and I've never heard of it before. Thanks for sharing it. I'd definitely visit but I do find it a little spooky - I wonder what they get up to when no-one is around...

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  13. What a fun place to stop and great images Jill. I remember you from my days at Go Camping!

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    1. Hi Kerry, fabulous to hear from you! Sadly Go Camping went by the by at the end of last year, but I still plod on doing bits and pieces for other mags. I hope all is well with you.

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  14. This is fantastic! I would love, love to stop by this place. I was reading an article on how certain "places" had become big roadside attractions after being started by locals or a community. #TPThursday

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  15. I have driven past Gnomesville but never stopped. It was one of those decisions that I now regret. Such a fascinating concept. Someone certainly has some imagine!

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  16. Hello Jill, what a fun place to visit. I would like to walk in this gnomes forest. They are all so cute. Great photos. Thanks for sharing your visit. Have a happy day!

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  17. Oh My Word, so adorable! I had a friend that recently passed away and he had some very special gnomes out in his garden. I have wondered just this past week about the little things, what would become of them. I had even gone searching to buy myself one for my garden to remember him with, and had then put it aside...After seeing this, I may go searching one more time. Hugs

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  18. Having a second look at the gnome city and thanking you for All Seasons for your link - I love the gnome hanging with the socks:) His facial expression puts a smile on my face. Would love it if you add All Seasons to your link list:) Have a gnomeful week!

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    1. oops, sorry Jeannette, I meant to do that, done now!

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  19. If I show this post to my wife we will be making a trip to Australia. LOL

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  20. Haha, I first heard about Gnomesville when another WA blogger, Nina, mentioned it in a blogger interview! It's SO on my list next time I'm in WA - I LOVE finding new quirky Aussie attractions!!

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I hope you have enjoyed your visit to my blog. Thank you for stopping by and for taking the time to comment. I read and very much appreciate every comment and love hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return.