A Dinasaur in Murwillumbah

This morning I met a dinosaur. Although ‘met’ is not the right word – more like ‘I was accosted by ‘.

After my pleasant morning coffee, I set off via back roads for Murwillumbah. It was a very pleasant drive – through orchards, sugar cane plantations, lush bush – despite the longer than planned route that I ended up taking!. I stopped in Tumbulgum – a lovely old village on the edge of the Tweed ( a bit like Nelligen) and had a little potter. Next stop was the regional information centre on the edge of Murwillumbah. It was a large place. I hesitated an instant too long as I entered, trying to quickly work out where the info I wanted was and was approached by one of the over-zealous volunteers ( the dinosaur). I explained that I was staying in Kingscliff for a week and wanted info on the area in particular walks on Mt Warning and cruises up the Tweed. Somehow or other he asked who was travelling with me – I said I was on my own - he took 1 step back in amazement and then 2 steps forward. Oops I thought as I took 1 step back. He then asked ‘How did you get here from Kingscliff? Do you have a car?’ Yes, I replied – well derrh – what planet are you from? I thought. It only got worse. He said ‘The walk up Mt Warning would be too hard for you – it is 4.5km up and 4.5 km down and steep and you need proper shoes”. I did not know whether to laugh, walk out or see if he would dig himself into a bigger hole. I smiled sweetly, and said nothing. He went on to point out on a map ( well, he scribbled with circles and lines on the map – and I hate that) several ‘more suitable’ – his words – walks, none more than 2km in length. I changed the topic. I wanted to confirm that the art gallery was along a road that I pointed to. He said yes about 2 km then said ‘ Ah, I forgot you are a woman ‘ and he went on to give a very detailed description of the things I would pass on the way . Did he think I did not know what 2km was? Then I asked about cruises on the Tweed. ‘There are none’ he said . I told him I had seen a boat with people on it at Tumbulgum – that jolted his memory and he produced a brochure and proceded to extol the cruises merits. If I wasn’t on holiday I would have complained about him – but I can’t be bothered – and he was a volunteer.

The Art Gallery was terrific. Wonderful views, good food, pleasant staff. Most of the entrants in the Blake prize were on display and there was another exhibition that I think may have been in Canberra earlier this year about the Mekong. A couple spent a year travelling along the Mekong and nearby towns and the exhibition was a collection of photos, paintings, sculptures that they had done. There were some interesting paintings in their usual collection too.

The drive back was pleasant.