York, heading east…..

From New Norcia we made our way some 150 kms south east to York, an historic inland town that was first settled in 1831 and is a reminder of life in the pioneering days.  It is a lovely place that we remembered from our last trip to Western Australia some 19 years ago and were keen to return.  Mind you,  previously we rode around York on a Harley but this time we just walked the main street as the vans remained hitch up because we were moving on the next day. 

Well, nothing much has changed in York since we were last there…. except they now have a sock factory.  Yes, a sock factory.  Apparently, it is the only remaining sock manufacturer in WA, although I noted that many items in the shop (not the socks) came from the Waverley Knitting Mills in Tasmania.  The focus is on Australian wool and cotton.  I sound like an advert for them and I didn't even buy anything, well except for some stuff to keep my Ugg boots looking good.  The jackets and wraps from the Waverley Knitting Mill were just beautiful…(note to self… save some $$$ to get something when we are in Tassie). Their socks are made elsewhere  and come to York to be packaged up.  You can see the local ladies doing that through a glass window into the workroom.  

Misty Morning at Avon Pioneer Park

Suspension Bridge over the Avon River

The York Council is very switched on and welcomes RV’s.  You can park your van or motorhome at Avon Pioneer Park, one street back from the main street in the middle of town for free and there are limited number of free power outlets….did I say FREE. There are also loo’s.    Anyway, we stayed in town for a night, met some lovely people from Cairns (can you believe it) …it was a very cold night and woke up to a misty morning. My new Ugg boots kept my toes, toasty warm.  

The Avon River

Whilst in York we were told that the CWA (Country Women’s Association) was in town celebrating their 90th year in WA, the theme for this conference was “Change”.  The Associated Country Women of the World president Ruth Shanks addressed some 400 CWA members in the York Town Hall telling them that in order to remain relevant and up to date, they had to recognise that times were changing.  Women’s lives had changed, they are time poor, have little time for community involvement and that young women need to participate in their own way.  Could be a good relationship, the young learning skills from the older generation and the the older generation learning different skills from the young….I like it.  Also, in  typical CWA fashion of giving instead of receiving, they raised a whopping $75,000 for the Royal Flying Doctors Service.

We walked the town, called into the sweet shop…ah, the memories…..

And we saw this...... Accommodation for "Respectable Couples"

And, last but not least, you can get your own little flock of sheep....this is sheep country you know.  Personally, I like mine either as a lamb leg in the BBQ or fried lamb chops.  But each to their own.