Macca's Meanderings

Hello from a very wet Croker Island.  We have had some consistent monsoon rains now for a couple of weeks. The last two wets seasons have been very poor in the Top End however so far this season is above average for rainfall.  Below is our house taken from the drone showing the short distance to the beach. Nancy is still in Queensland.  Some brolgas enjoying the sea of green out on the floodplain. Just a few weeks ago this area was dry and dusty. After playing around with the drone for an hour, PK and I were sent hurrying for home with the next band of monsoon showers approaching. The incoming tide brings the fish and stingrays in very close to the beach. This young man is hoping to spear a meal.    26 January - Australia Day or Invasion Day? There has been quite a bit of debate on this topic over recent days. Recently, I put this question to the Garngi Rangers. It produced a very interesting and wide ranging discussion. We didn't just talk of the events of 26 January 1788, but als

Greetings again from Croker Island.  Fly Tiwi operates a five day a week regular air service from Darwin to Croker Island. The flight travels via Goulburn Island, another island to the south east of Croker Island and like Croker Island is just off the mainland coast. The track of this flight goes along the northern section of Kakadu National Park and then across the base of the Coburg Peninsula to Goulburn Island. The overcast sky last Friday while providing some relief from the very sticky conditions of the last few days also put on a grand show of various colours, shades and shapes. Fortunately no rain during the flight, that would come later in the form of a giant thunder storm and an amazing light show. For now though the fine weather and amazing visibility made the journey one long scenic flight.  On Sunday morning I was up early to meet to 6am barge. Tides dictate many events in this part of the world. The barge, the Arnhem Trader was early so I was back at the house before 7am.

Hello everyone We hope and pray that you have all enjoyed a happy and safe Christmas and that 2021 brings many blessings to you. As mentioned in the previous post, Nance and I flew into Darwin from Minjilang, Croker Island just before Christmas. Around the same time Laura flew in from Brisbane and six of Christy's family flew in from Geelong. Dean and Kristy were very brave in hosting Christmas for all of us this year - thank you very much. We all enjoyed a great time together.  A Darwin thunder storm on Boxing Day evening put on an impressive light and sound show. Generally however the weather has been kind to us. As I write this blog post, the BOM are forecasting a cyclone to form in the Gulf of Carpentaria shortly and then move into Queensland.  Below the Macdonald Christmas 2020 photo L to R - Dean, Kristy, Nance, Bryan, Laura and Jayson. Some of Christy's family - Marney, Cameron, Paddy and Kristy.  And below Paddy and Sharon.  This time of the year in the Top End with the