Ballure Road
You have to be up early to capture this, an empty road, traffic free. This is the road that leads out of Ramsey and heading down south towards Douglas, known as the coast Road route, the scenic route, or the long way round depending on who you're talking too and how much of a hurry you are to get out of town. Leafy Suburbia, peaceful, until the rush hour traffic.
Skywatch
It's the Isle of Man TT Races, and event taking place on island for two weeks. The first week is practice week, the second race week. During race week, Ramsey has it's own day of entertainments, conveniently called Ramsey Day. Part of the entertainment each year is a motorcycle stunt team, usually a two man team entertaining the crowd with various motorcycle tricks. Here's just one of them.
Other skywatch skies can be found here.
Sea view for churchgoers
Or to give the church its full name, Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, and St Maughold - Ramsey. Not many churchgoers get to wander straight on the beach, but they do if they are part of this congregation. Many a wedding party photo shoot is taken on the beach too, with or without sunset, sand between toes.
Other Skywatch post can be found here.
Putting the Mad, in Mad SundayLet me introduce you to Mrs Nesbitt, though to some of you she needs no introduction. I met Mrs N, virtually through blogging, and then in person when she visits The Isle of Man with her hubby, for the Isle of Man TT Races. It's become a tradition now, to meet on what is known as Mad Sunday (when tourists and locals attire fancy dress or not and ride the race route) outside the Swan pub, Parliament Square, have a coffee and bite to eat and catch up. While Mrs N and I have a chat, hubby rides the race route. This image is now the infamous leaving photo. Mrs N, may not be a resident of the island, but she has probably watched more of the Road racing event than most locals. Be warned, this lady is barking mad, in the nicest way, tons of fun, and always makes everyone feel welcome in her company. Her knapsack, Wilma the duck is also infamous. Mrs N, can get Policeman, and TT stars to pose with her holding the duck, while I capture the image. Looking forward to seeing Mrs N again soon, and a new set of photos to follow.
More Abc's can been found here, and for those that don't know it was Mrs N herself who created this neme.
Mirror Image
Mooragh Park is the largest public parks in Ramsey and dates back to its development to 1885, officially opened, 1887. The park was developed over reclaimed salt marshes. Homing two cafes, the tennis court, crazy golf, crown green bowls, children's play area, BMX track, newly installed gym equipment, and the boating lake. A little something for everyone.
Other our world posts can be found here
Spot the hotel?
The hotel is a relatively new addition to Ramsey and is situated just outside Mooragh Park (where the image is taken from) and overlooks the beach to the right. Look closely, you'll spot the building behind the trees on the right of the image. Set off the beaten track of the town itself, but only by a few minutes walk over the bridge. Nowhere is too far to get to in a small town.
Skywatch sunset
Sky Hill overlooks the town of Ramsey, Isle of Man. This image was taken on a walkway adjourning Ballure Road and the Mountain Road, the road leaving the town to head to Douglas, the island Capital. The Hill gets its name from the Battle that took place there in 1079 between the invading Vikings and Manx people. Another iconic place in the small town I live. Further reading about the Battle of Sky Hill can be found here.
Skywatch watchers around the world can be found here
Display Team
The famous Red Arrows display team flying over Ramsey Harbour, Ramsey Day, during the Isle of Man TT. Usually one of the highlights of the two weeks race event schedule, especially for those that want a break from the motorbike races.
Brief history of the Red Arrows can be found here
Other abc's around the world can be found here
Ugly building, pretty sky
Kings Court, the ugliest building in Ramsey, and the tallest is residential accommodation. This is as urban and downtown as it gets here. Our high rises are not exactly skyscrapers, but we don't want too many skyscrapers spoiling the view anyway. You do however get a pretty panoramic view of the beach though from the higher flats/apartments. Image taken from the beach looking back towards the town and over the separating sea wall.
Other skywatch images around the world can be found here
Gone but not forgotten
The Pondi is an Estate of houses known as "Commissioners houses." UK readers you may be more familiar with the term "Social Housing" formerly called "Council Houses" I
am not sure what the equivalent would be in other parts of the world,
or even if this type of housing exists in this form elsewhere. It's a a form of accommodation owned by the local Council
authority and rented out to tenants on long or short term let at a low rental. They are not Private sector rentals.
The idea was to abolish the slum landlords and overcrowding and provide lower income families with affordable habitable
accommodation. Also enabling people to pay a lower rent with a view to
purchasing their own home in subsequent years, then relinquishing the
property to new tenants and continuing the cycle to provide a step on
the mortgage ladder for all.
The image shows one of those houses being demolished, along with the rest of the estate to make way for a re build of newer improved Commissioner's houses.
Peachy
Wet feet on the beach time again, but I wasn't the only one. Another angle of the pier, looking back towards Queen's promenade. Sadly as I've mentioned before the pier has been closed to the public since 1991 and in much need of repair, but you are free to walk below, underneath and around it. Gone are the days when you can shop at the kiosks, board for travel or ride the tram along the pier. Still one of the town's most recognizeable features though, and most photographed.
Other abc's around the world can be found here
View from Albert Tower
North Barrule is the hillside you can see in the distance. The second highest peak on the Isle of Man. Over on Barrule, on a clear day, you can see other parts of the Island plus Scotland, Wales, England and Ireland. On a not so clear day, you'll end up walking in circles trying to find your way down the hillside, getting lost in the Manx mist known as Manannan's cloak
Incoming
Because no two days are alike on the Isle of Man.
Queens Promenade, under attack again from the elements
Photographer, under attack again from the elements
Time to hit the pub. If I 'm going to get wet, make it Jack Daniels
Like an explosion in a paint shop
Some days the sky is grey, some days it's overflowing with colour. Either way, I'll be photographing it daily, tide in or tide out. My wet feet feet suffer for my art. Also I need new shoes. Salt water and shoes, not a good mix. Ramsey, Queens Promenade beach, Isle of Man.
Skywatchers around the world can be found here
