Swan lake

                             Evening dip


I was actually looking for the swam that has taken to walking the roads, rather than swim in the harbour, or the visiting Australian black swan, but no just your average swans and geese evening birds. Also, has anyone seen the escaped lemur from the wildlife park. Last seen with a tomato sauce bottle apparently vandalizing butcher's shops. Or that could be the escaped wallaby.

The Poyll Dooey Nature Reserve

                              It's snowtime

Poyll Dooey Nature Reserve is an area of land in Ramsey that is a haven for wildlife. It is also a haven for me as a photographer.

Poyll Dooey has a series of nature trails running through it. Follow the trails and you will find many wonderful birds, rabbits, dragonflies, ladybirds... and dogs. It's a dog walkers heaven. A photographers heaven. Take a step off the nature trails and walkways and you will find yourself wading through overgrown scrub land, ponds, bogs, wild grasses and wild flowers such as bluebells and all sorts of flowers I don't know the names are. Nestled amongst all of this is a picnic area in a beautifully maintained garden setting. The far side of Poyll Dooey you happen upon the white bridge or wander a trail until you reach the Sulby River and follow it back into Ramsey Town. A lovely walk, a lovely area.

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Manx Semi Cup Final, Rugby

                        Ramsey 0-48 Douglas

During the rugby season, through the winter, I can be found here, photographing my local rugby team. This wasn't a league game, but a cup game, The Manx Cup, and as you can see by the result, not a good one for my daily photo of my town, Ramsey, but a good result for the opposition, from South of the island, that being the Isle of Man. For those that don't know where that is, it's commonly referred to jokingly as the Rock, or the Rock in the Irish sea.

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Manx Classic Sprint & Hillclimb

                        Classy and Classic 


I didn't get to cover any of the Manx Classic Sprint & Hillclimb today, due to the fact I was covering the Semi Final rugby game, but lucky to have this classy car drive past me as I left the game.

The Manx Classic is held at three different venues, over 3 days, across the Isle of Man. They are:
Governor's Sprint
Creg Willey's Hillclimb 
Lhergy Frissell Hillclimb

More info about the event can be found here

  

Ramsey, Isle of Man, Dusk Sunset

                               Pretty in pink


You can tell it's getting warmer, the colors are getting brighter and the nights days are getting longer. It's 9pm, as I type, and the sky is still purple and pink. If you look closely you see people fishing off the end of the jetty, by the lighthouse. Freshly caught supper.

I could travel the world looking for a sunset, or just walk out the house and find one on my doorstep.

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The Stanley

                         Karaoke anyone?


The Stanley, another of Ramsey's infamous pubs has undergone a few changes recently. The old landlord Yuki, who ran the pub for over a quarter of a Century has retired. A new paint job inside and out. The first ever pool table has taken up residence. The legendary Steve and Bob karaoke nights have ceased to be replaced by Paulette's Saturday night karaoke.  Most of my photos have actually been taken inside this pub of friends and strangers, Friday nights after dark. You can still see the harbour from the pub though and the local pint is still the same. A place many island visitors fondly remember, and locals enjoy. It's been the end of an era recently, and the start of a new, and a rare daylight shot from me of the pub and local scooter run.


Cheers.

Owl, Arg Beiyn Veterinary Open Day

         Not your average high street shopper


 Arg Beiyn Veterinary Practice is situated on Parliament Ramsey, Isle of Man. The owl was part of the open day in association with National Pet Week, with joint aims, responsible pet ownership and to raise awareness for the two charities the practice supports, Hounds for Heroes and The Manx Wildlife Trust. A long with the owl, other creatures where out in force from snakes to horses, a fun run, and other attractions like open mic. A chance for all, especially the kids of the town, to meet and learn more about all kinds of animals and the care entailed. 


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aims to promote responsible pet ownership but the ultimate goal of this event is to help raise money and awareness for the two charities that Arg Beiyn are supporting this year which are Hounds for Heroes and The Manx Wildlife Trust. - See more at: http://manx.net/isle-of-man-news/5138/arg-beiyn-veterinary-practice-charity-fun-day-in-ramsey#sthash.5VHMeEPE.dpuf

aims to promote responsible pet ownership but the ultimate goal of this event is to help raise money and awareness for the two charities that Arg Beiyn are supporting this year which are Hounds for Heroes and The Manx Wildlife Trust. - See more at: http://manx.net/isle-of-man-news/5138/arg-beiyn-veterinary-practice-charity-fun-day-in-ramsey#sthash.5VHMeEPE.dpuf

aims to promote responsible pet ownership but the ultimate goal of this event is to help raise money and awareness for the two charities that Arg Beiyn are supporting this year which are Hounds for Heroes and The Manx Wildlife Trust. - See more at: http://manx.net/isle-of-man-news/5138/arg-beiyn-veterinary-practice-charity-fun-day-in-ramsey#sthash.5VHMeEPE.dpuf

School House Corner, the bridge

                              Off to school


School House Corner, get its name, from the local school, Ramsey Grammar. You may wonder why such a footbridge is need in such a quiet town. You can't cross this road when the Isle of Man TT Races are in progress, unless you use the footbridge. Well you try, but you'd be arrested for causing an obstruction.  You can walk into town fine, but for those that live on the other side of the road, it does avoid them getting trapped for hours on the wrong side of the road and forced to wait out the races. Unfortunately for the kids, the footbridge connects to the school too, so no excuse for missing exams.

Should the footbridge ever be closed and you find yourself unable to cross for hours, there is a pub on either side of the road to wait out the time. Just saying.

Ramsey, the park to the harbour walk

            This time last year we had snow!

As the connecting bridge is out of action and under repair, for the foreseeable future, I'm taking the long walk round to the park and other beach. That's the harbour inlet full of visiting boats, people taking advantage of the long holiday weekend. With views like this though no complaints about the long walk round.

Ramsey, Isle of Man, sunrise

                          Spot the cleaner


You have to get up early to catch a sunrise. You have to get up even earlier to watch the beach getting a morning clean. I could think of worse ways to start the day.


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Ramsey Swing Bridge, you're not swinging anymore

                                  Grounded


Ramsey Swing Bridge is out of action at the moment, undergoing urgent repairs to an estimated cost of  £750,000 to avert a "major failure," apparently.  Well it was built in 1892, so perhaps it needs a bit of a facelift and nip and tuck. The bridge crossing the Sulby River, is a short cut, from the shopping area of town to the local park, beach, swimming pool and residential area. It's a long walk round without it. On the plus side, a chance to photograph the iconic bridge by night under shimmering light before it returns to its normal place.

A walk along the Sulby River

                        Get away from it all


The Sulby River, is the longest river on the Island, rising on Snaefell close to the Sulby Reservoir, running north through Sulby Glen and onto the coast at Ramsey.  This part photographed is situated in the Poyll Dooey Nature reserve. You can follow the river right into town and out to the Irish Sea. A great walk, and getaway from the town. Perfect place for dog walkers, picnics and wildlife. Another hidden gem on the Isle of Man.


Isle of Man TT launch night tonight. Not long now, but for those who don't like motorbikes and tourists taking over the island, you can always escape here.

Ramsey 5-47 Bowdon, Rugby

                                 Half Time


Most Saturdays I can be found at Ramsey's local rugby pitch photographing the game. I've photographs wins, losses, draws, cup finals, both won, lost and survival games. Unfortunately this survival game became a relegation result for the local side. I'll be back next season, and so will the team. Hopefully photographing a promotion result and a few more winning cup finals.

Ramsey Harbour, Skywatch

                                     Sunset


Taken along Derby Road, Ramsey, Isle of Man heading towards Bowring Road. For other skies around the world click here.  A setting shot captured in between pubs. One of the few places in the world where a pub crawl and photography walk coincide beautifully.

Isle of Man TT

               The Greatest Show On Earth




The Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) is two weeks of road racing (first week practice, second week races) that takes place on the Isle of Man, May/June each year. This means the island is given over to tourists from across the globe and motorbikes. The races are actually run, not on a purpose built track, but around the island itself, the roads us locals use everyday normally. It has been described as "The greatest show on earth" and indeed is both dangerous and exciting. It's also my favouite time of year on the island, the busiest time, and fun, fun, fun. This is one from last year, my usual spot in Ramsey. My other usual spots are the pubs. Not many places in the world you can photograph a bike race and prop up the bar at the same time.





Isle of Man TT 2014
24th May - 6th June

The White Bridge

Single File only

Another Ramsey landmark,  and regular haunt, the aptly (if not imaginatively) named White Bridge, situated in The Poyll Dooey Nature Reserve, crossing over the Sulby river.  It's basically a single file pedestrian only bridge, although bikes and motorbikes can be walked and not ridden across. It really is quite a narrow and sturdy, but perfectly formed walkway that allows you to reach the other side of the river without getting your feet wet. 


When looking for information about this bridge,  I've  just found the vaguest reference, or uncorroborated info. How long it's been here who knows, apart from the ducks possibly who appear to live below it, coming out for a waddle and food off locals. A mystery perhaps an older local can solve.

Isle of Man, Skywatch sunset

                Brighten up my Northen Sky
 

The sun rises over the beach in Ramsey (the North East of the island) which is brilliant for seascape sunrises, but unfortunately not for seascape sunsets. So, I do the reverse of the morning capture and wander onto the beach as far out as I can (tide times allowing) and look back towards the town itself and capture the setting sun over the Ramsey landscape. Either way I get wet feet. Small price to pay for natural beauty.
  

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Queen's Promenade, floods and high tides

                              Waterworld


 In a complete contrast to yesterdays colorful Queen's Pier sunrise and peaceful weather, back to high tides and localised flooding. Fortunately not too bad, just a few rogue crashing waves swooping over the top of the promenade wall. Enough though to render the path and road out of bounds for the afternoon.  Queen's Promenade, Ramsey, on a very, wet, wet, wet, day. Bad day for fisherman, good day for surfers. Pass me my wellies and a canoe!