The alluring sea

Darwin 

August 31 to September 7, 2015

We've been in Darwin for eight days, mainly doing repairs and maintenance, taking stock and catching our breath. It's been grand having some down time. Garry and I will be back in Darwin in 10 days or so to visit nephew Jono, fiance Kate and new bubby Emily Violet. So we've done minimal touristy stuff and maximum relaxation stuff. The biggest frustration with Darwin is that the beautiful blue sea is pretty much a no-go zone. Crocs occasion the water and foreshore and box jelly fish lurk beneath the surface. We dipped our feet in tentatively at Casuarina Beach but mostly we're sticking to swimming pools. This Island Girl dearly loves an ocean swim, but not here. Better safe than sorry.

Darwin Harbour. A lot of Navy activity, particularly patrol boats keeping an eye out for those pesky boat people.

"Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to sink."
(Apologies Samuel Coleridge for defiling your Rime to the Ancient Mariner)

Sweetheart is a 5m saltwater crocodile that was accidentally killed while being captured to move to a sanctuary. He didn't ever eat anyone but had developed an appetite for fishing boat propellers. A sad end to a great creature. A taxidermist was given the job of preserving him and he now resides in the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.

Some wonderful art works in the gallery. Also a great exhibition detailing the devastation of Cyclone Tracey in 1974.

Jennifer Vivienne. My namesake in the museum.

Air surfing at Darwin's waterfront. Weird.

Jas and Tom (son of sister Julie) and Gazman at Mindil Beach Sunset Markets.

We weren't on our own.

Not so subtle police presence on the beach. 

Farewell to another day.