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Published: March 26th 2009
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Wednesday, 23rd March
We arrived in Katanning via Mt Barker where we checked into the only caravan park in town. This park is under new management and we found the facilities to be spotless and much better than we were led to expect. On sitting down and planning our next section we decided to stay an extra night here, firstly because otherwise we’d be home tomorrow, and secondly so that we could experience a sheep sale on Wednesday, in a market reputed to be the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.
The early evening was spent at the park with Kelly, Harry and their 3 children, friends of Judy’s daughter, Richelle. Kelly is in her first year teaching at Woodanilling, about 25 kms away, living here in Katanning.
Tuesday, 24th March
Kelly invited us for morning tea so after Judy had managed a slow jog around Katanning we set out for Woodanilling a little town about 25 minutes away from Katanning. We arrived at Woodanilling Primary School at just after 1030 and as Kelly had mentioned it to them we were expected and made welcome.
After morning tea, Judy spent almost an hour giving Kelly tips
Katanning Saleyards
Unloading, sorting and penning. on using the computers in the room, Rags looking after the class of 7 Year2-4 kids.(1 was away)
On our return to Katanning we walked around the shops on the other side of the railway track and saw Lorreto’s in the Federal Hotel with lunches for $10. Judy had a silverside and veges, Rags roast lamb, both meals being delicious as well as great value.
The lady at the Tourist Bureau reminded us of the sheep sale tomorrow and said it was worth seeing the unloading and sorting which takes place later this afternoon. This we did, finding it fascinating to see the men and dogs moving the truckload after truckload of sheep into pens, grading each load into separate pens. There is a public viewing platform overlooking the saleyard so that we were not in the way but could still see what was going on. One of the men explained what was going on and also told us that the cafe there was open for dinner with good food.
We took him up on this even though we’d had a big lunch, expecting to mix with the workmen and get some idea of the locals. Instead,
when we arrived after 1800 the only other customers were older townfolk. Perhaps the others came later. The steaks were absolutely perfect, tasty and melt in your mouth tender.
Wednesday, 24th March
No time for a jog this morning as we readied the caravan for take off and arrived at the saleyards just after 8.30am. We wanted to be where the action was so followed a local through the gates to where the auctioneer stood. It was fascinating with sheep going between $30 and $90.
Judy struck up a conversation with a local who explained a few things for us. As she'd seen "Miotti" on a truck outside she asked him if there were any there as these were cousins of hers from Kojonup. He said he thought the Miotti "boy" was away so she stopped checking out the faces int he crowd. Not long after a chap came towards her. She immediately recognised him and said "Miotti"? It was John Miotti on of her cousin's 6 children. The other chap had mentioned to him that a lady was looking for him. They had time for a catch up on their respective families before he had
to get back to business, being a cartage contractor who transported the sheep from the saleyards.
After returning to the Caravan Park we hitched up and set off for York. Judy had called her friend Jenny and she was expecting us. We passed through the towns of Wagin, Narrogin and Beverley. We stopped and walked around the first 2 and bought some lunch.
It was still only 1.30pm when we arrived in York so we had plenty of time to catch up on all the families with Jenny whom Judy has known since 1979 and her husband Peter who own and manage York Cottages. As they had other plans for the evening we said goodbye just after 5pm and made our way home.
A great 3 weeks away!
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Ryan Murtha
non-member comment
didnt u
I hope ur not telling me that u stayed in kattaning for a few days and didnt go to the adults playground with massive slides clearly the best part of kattaning!