Macca's Meanderings

Hi for the first time in 2023.  Nancy and I enjoyed a great time based at Yarraman in SE Queensland. Laura and Jayson joined us for quiet and restful Christmas. Kristy Dean and Noah were with Kristy's family in Geelong.  In January, Nancy's family had a gathering to celebrate their mother's 98th birthday (a little earlier). We were very blessed to have all our family attend - Laura, Jayson, Dean, Kristy and grandson Noah join us and stay on for a few days. Jayson was a very pleasant surprise as we thought that he was unable to get away.  Below a photo of the four generations. Nancy's mum had not met Noah before. It was a big day for Nancy's mum however she enjoyed some time out of the aged  care facility and catching up with family. All too soon it was time for Bryan to head back to Croker Island. Nancy will stay on in SE Queensland for most of February for family commitments and medical appointments.  Walking out of the Darwin Airport terminal I was reminded ve...

 Hi Happy 2023 to you.  Nancy and I hope that you were able to enjoy some relaxing time with family and friends over the Christmas/New Year period. Just before leaving Croker Island the rangers decided to have another go at retrieving a large ghost net snagged on a reef at McClure Island - one of the outer islands east of Croker Island. The weather conditions were good and the tide was right. After numerous attempts, we were successful. Below are a series of short videos and photos of the operation.  On the way to McClure Island we went via New Year Island to check everything was in order there - this is a popular spot for commercial fishing vessels and yachts. The video below shows the north side of New Year and the flat sea conditions. Note the tops of storm clouds in the far distance.  At McClure Island we attempted to pull the net off the reef. With each attempt we could feel parts of the net breaking away from the reef. By pulling in different directions we even...