Ever had a gut feeling that you shouldn’t do something, but did it anyway?
I’m blaming it on cabin fever, because the forecast really wasn’t any good for a day trip.
It was Sunday morning, and I was doing my little “need to get me outta this joint” routine, so before long, Ms and I were sailing away to greener pastures…
Meet Noojee. An Aboriginal word that means ‘place of rest’ or ‘contentment’.
Just say it. Noo-jee.
Doesn’t that make you feel all warm and fuzzy?
The stares we got when we reached our destination were less than warm and fuzzy, just like the bartender’s polite suggestion that we dine down at the bistro.
But I wasn’t in the mood for subtle messages that day, so I put my cider down and prepared to soak up the atmosphere.
The table next to us was having a conversation.
“Saw these poofters down the street the other day. They were all over each other – holdin’ hands an’ everythin’!!”
“For real?! Aw, I wouldn’t come here if I were them…”
It slowly dawned on me that the bartender’s gentle suggestion was probably for our own protection…
Too late. Our meals arrived.
The place is noted for its Chicken Parma’s (Aussie speak for chicken schnitzel with tomato sauce and cheese, usually served with chips, vegies and beer).
The food really was as good as all the hype. Even the Veggie Parma was delicious.
We rolled out of there a few hours later, perfectly contented in the belly, and took a look around the sights.
By the end of the day, we could hear the wind between our ears and agreed that we got just what we came for.
Driving back, I had zoned out to a bit of Aussie trance music…
…when I spotted a policeman pointing from the window of his parked car.
“Was he pointing at us?” I wondered, barely registering that the 2.5 buildings we just drove past were probably meant to be a town.
Sure enough, the lights came flashing behind us. I pulled over and was informed I’d been driving 79 km/h in a 60 zone.
“There goes my overtime,” says Ms.
All $289 worth of it.
We re-traced our steps through the ‘drop-in-the-dirt town’, as Ms likes to call them. Found the 100m stretch of 60 zone I’d overlooked. And drove on home, subdued.
I learned many things that day. Well, a few.
- Don’t listen to trance music on a Sunday drive in the country.
- Do listen to
the forecastyour gut instinct. - The price of contentment is, sometimes, staying home where you belong.
When was the last time you ignored your gut instinct? Was there a lesson to be learned?
Alarna Rose Gray 
Grrr. That beautiful countryside is wasted on such small minds. Except for the ticket, I’m glad you went. They’ll never change if their perceptions remain forever unchallenged.
Hug!
That’s the way it goes with the country sometimes, isn’t it? We’re already enough of a challenge being a mixed race couple…but we don’t let that stop us. Life’s too short! *hugs back* 🙂
Ouch! The food did look delicious but not sure it was worth the price. Well, I just learned a new Aussie word! 🙂
Definitely NOT worth the price! Hehe – I aim to educate 😉
fines can really put a dampen on a good day! it’s like we get reduced to being a kid again, caught out for being wicked… if only we could break out into hysterical tears. gyrating in denial, throwing ourselves to the floor hoping to deafen the reality to an oversight… oh, if only…
About the pub: how much did you want to reach over to your beloved and smack her a wet one? or maybe the mass cardio arrest would of been too much for the local doc!
Hehe – I did my best Betty Boop impression, but this cop had no heartbeat, so no chance there! As for the pub… I’m usually too shy for PDA’s, but I’ll remember that for next time 😉
Noted: no trance music while driving. I think you this blog post puts you in the plus column, though.
I ignore my instincts a lot. Usually I end up hopelessly lost or locked into a series of u-turns.
That sounds like the story of my life! 🙂 Thank you for seeing the plus side…I just need now to inform my bank account of that!
I’m glad you went out but sorry you had to deal with that. I am a child of a mixed race couple and I myself I guess am in a mixed raced relationship (hubby is jewish) He never really understood what it was like to live with racism before and he’s suffering from black rage as I call it because now he’s hostile and suspicious of everyone who is rude or flippant to me. SO IT GOES!! I have more good interactions with people than bad so that’s good!
Plenty of stories there, I’m sure…and, perhaps, creative material?! Though I’m a huge coward, I can understand your hubby’s rage…I was never so aware of just how insidious racism can be until Ms. Anyway, in this case, the whole thing was more a source of amusement than anything…sometimes you just gotta laugh 🙂
I always shock laugh. I’m pretty good about confronting racists. I lived in Iowa and got ALL the questions so I’m pretty calm and like to bend what they think BLACK girls act like! It’s become a bittersweet sport.
Like your spirit, Jasmine! You and Ms would make a good team… she’s Indian from Malaysia, and gets a kick out of spinning a story. They never know if she’s serious or not. Well, until they go too far, and then they live to regret it… 🙂
Beautiful pics, Alarna. 🙂
Yeah, I’ve ignored my instincts. Sometimes my impatience overrides those signals. Still something I’m learning. I’m sorry you had to deal with the small minds on what looks like a beautiful trip.
I know what you mean! So much of it comes down to patience…something I’m still learning, too. Small minds…oh well, at least that gave us a something to laugh off. Unlike the fine! 🙂
Ah, but if you had not followed your gut you wouldn’t have this great story!
Sometimes I don’t listen to my first instincts about people with the higher intention of giving everyone a chance. Usually I was right from the get go.
True, thank you! And yes! I’m guilty of a similar intention and somehow always disappointed when I find out I was right. Luckily, it can work the other way, as well.
Fuck them all. I’d like to say that you should both come out here for a looooong visitescape, but those photos are beautifuldelicious, so I understand. xoox
Aren’t you gorgeous! Be careful, we might just take you up on that…I’m looking for any excuse to escape Melbourne! 😉 (We like to act like we’re the best land in all the world, but we know that’s not true…) xoxo
It’s all dry up here at the moment, Alarna. Has been next to no winter rain, but plenty of colour down your way, the photos show it’s all looking good. Gut instincts, the last time, probably when G and I allowed someone to stop for a couple of weeks while they lined up accommodation of their own, which turned into four months. Long story, but it was event number two of its kind (some ten years apart), won’t be making an attempt with a third.
Yes, we have had good rain this winter. Just as well, because they keep saying the drought will come back. Hope you get good (but not devastating) summer rain. And, oh! I’m familiar with that particular gut instinct. It’s a tough one, especially when you want to give someone the benefit of the doubt. Third time lucky, they say 😉
Up here they’re already droving stock in their thousands from Qld into NSW. Yes need at least some rain. Yes, third time lucky 😉
Thanks for the urban dictionary link. I’ve not heard that particular smear. Must be an Aussie thing? That chicken thing looks awesome! If I come to visit, you need to take me there. I could be your bodyguard. 😉
Oh, an Aussie / British thing, I believe! Yes, the food was awesome – great ‘pub grub’ as they say in the country 😉 We’d love to be escorted back there any time you want to cruise on over…
Hello, again… wow, the first image is gorgeous! it seems like a beautiful experience out. kinda expensive, hoho, but i imagine the good meal and the image of the countryside got you going a bit on the fast lane, hahaha. nah, it was an experience well worth it. be careful next time and mind the road signages, peace! warm regards from the rainy tropics… 🙂
Yes, I had to pull over to take that heavenly shot – that was before I fell into a trance 😉 Worth the experience, just not perhaps the $$! Peace and love to you, San from the tropics 🙂
twas worth it! 🙂 peace and love to you, too… i have some technical problems, hoho. warm regards…
Bittersweet escape it was and an expensive one. No more trance music for you. Gorgeous pictures. Love the bridge. At least you had a great meal and took your time enjoying it. As for the locals in that area…they just haven’t gotten the word…tolerance is “in”.
No, they clearly haven’t go that message! But they don’t realise how much more interesting their lives will be once we invade their secret hideaways 🙂
Beautiful pictures Alarna but sorry you had to deal with such ignorant people… I don’t understand how people can still use such words in 2013…
Sobering, isn’t it? Guess we gotta take the good with the bad…
Lovely pictures.
Thank you! 🙂
Those country pics we’re unbelievable Alarna~Made our hearts yearn to pop on over and take in the beauty for ourselves. As for the food, looked so good has me ready to jump up, run to the kitchen and make myself something to eat. Had my stomach gurgling. LOL~ The only thing I wish you’d done, was give your sweety a nice, big kiss! Givem somethin’ to really talk about!! Loved this Alarna, & BTW~Inion & I have nominated you for The Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award. So head on over to our blog & check out your nomination Sister! Congrats.
Aw, thank you for including me in the Sisterhood – I’m honoured! 🙂 I’m surprised how many people wanted us to put on a show for the locals…I suppose that would’ve made their day! Didn’t fancy getting lynched for lunch…but you are welcome to visit – maybe we’ll be braver with an entourage 😉
Your photo blog indeed holds the power to take the reader on a journey, as it did me. So thank you.
You write in the beginning about times when we do something contrary to our gut feel. Have you ever stopped to wonder what is it that makes us act so and get outcomes contrary to what we had hoped for?
Shakti
Thank you, Shakti, for your thoughtful comment. Nothing is ever wasted, that’s for sure… we make those choices to learn something, or perhaps to find a good story 😉 Either way, my philosophy is, no regrets!
I really love that you stayed at the bar and that you enjoyed your meal despite the comments from the country boys. Hold your heads high.
And the photographs are terrific! The Noojee trestle bridge looks amazing!
Yes, I’m learning to be a little bit prouder each day! Noojee is a small place, but now somewhat unforgettable 🙂
Sounds like on balance it was a positive experience, although of course that’s ultimately up to you. I can relate somewhat because I got an unexpected parking ticket attending an otherwise sublime songwriting convention this weekend. 🙂 Yeah, it’s hard to imagine a place called Noojee being metropolitan or sophisticated, right? But a beautiful word nonetheless.
There they go, those revenue raisers, always trying to ruin the fun!! But we won’t let them get to us, right? Yeah, I kind of have a fondness for Noojee, now 🙂
$289! My goodness! That’s a huge amount that you had to pay. What a bonus for the officer.
I do what I have to do. I rarely ignore my gut instinct, no matter what the consequences.
Good for you! That’s how we ought to be 🙂 (and yes, it hurt. I’m still paying it off, too!)
amazing country shots…! 🙂
Thankyou!