Stormy weather over Snaefell

                            It's not all sunsets



Snaefell is the Mountain you can see bottom right of the photo. On a clear day you can see for miles, across to England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Not on a stormy weather day though like today. That's when the pub is a better option. Taken from the Poyll Dooey Nature Reserve.


Snaefell 
Poyll Dooey on a sunnier and snowier days


Image part of Abc

TT Tourists, Ramsey Day

                              Ramsey Day


As Mrs Nesbitt, who initially started the abc round will be visiting the Isle of Man soon for the annual Isle of Man TT Road Races, a timely image of other visiting tourists. This scene is from Ramsey Day, a day set aside during the Road Races for activities such as the Motorcycle Sprint and display teams to entertain the crowds, along with things for the kids like face painting. The sunshine can't be guaranteed, but a fly over and display by the Red Arrows can be. 


For TT Race photos see Jane Hards Photography

Isle of Man TT, older post

More abc images around the world can be found here

Open, the new tram tracks

                          Alternative travel


The tram tracks have undergone an update and renovation during the closed winter period. General maintenance and shiny new cables, and paved and painted. A popular way for tourists to view the island, by tram all the way from Ramsey, through Laxey when you can depart for Snaefell Mountian, or continue on to Douglas. It's a long ride, so if you're in a hurry bus or car might be for you, but on a sunny lazy day, a slower ride through the Manx landscape might be the way to go. If you don't mind a bit of a chill sit in the outdoor car, as it's a great vantage point for photography. 

 Jane Hards Photography

Image part of abc

England from the Isle of Man

                   The land on the horizon


Another walk up to Albert Tower, through Ballure Reservoir and no to the top. In one direction you can see Scotland, another view Ireland, and this view, the strip of slightly darker blue on the horizon, is England as viewed from the Isle of Man. On a clear day, less hazy the Lake District is a a lot more visible. But not today, too much sunshine. Not that I'm complaining.


Jane Hards Photography - more island views


Image part of Our World Tuesday.

Silhouettes and sunsets

                                 Hometime


Looking onto the town from the beach at a sunset, from my office. Not my office window, my office. The beach, from dawn to dusk is my place of work, photography. Standing ankle deep in a freezing cold the Irish Sea, waiting for the setting or rising sun may not be a conventional  way to make a living but it's one enjoy. Hope you enjoy the view too.

Jane Hards Photography

Ramsey a small town on the Isle of Man

Image part of skywatch, camera, Nikon D7000

Ramsey Bus Station

                     Say hello, wave goodbye


Probably one of the first places I ventured to when I arrived to live on the Isle of Man and head off and explore the island, the bus station. I still do. A bus gives you a vantage point above car level for sights over hedges and down coastal areas you would otherwise miss. Also another perspective for photographers. Even though it makes the journey longer, the views around the island are worth that extra time now and again. 


Jane Hards Photography

Image part of The Weekend in Black and White

Manx Grand Prix

                       Sometime in August.......


............After the Isle of Man TT Road Races, we have the other motorbikes races, the Manx Grand Prix. Not as busy or well known out of biking circles as the infamous TT, but equally as exciting. Attracting many tourists and riders from across the world, the Isle of Man, once again gives up it's roads to the races. Daily life fits around the two weeks races (practice week, race week) so everyone can still get around the island negotiating alternative routes and breaks in road closures. I'm lucky to have a job that involves photographing this on my doorstep, my home town.

More info on the history of the Manx Grand Prix can be found here

More photos form the event and the island ca be found at Jane Hards Photography at the Manx

Part of Abc, and hoping Mrs Nesbitt will join us one year for the Manx, in addition to the TT

Ramsey Park Hotel

                              Room with a view

Set looking over Mooragh Lake, is Ramsey Park Hotel completed in 2012. The hotel overlooks, both the park and seafront. On a clear day you can see Scotland and the Lake District, Cumbria. The hotel caters for both business and leisure, wedding, private functions, and has it's own dining area, Lake View Restaurant which is as it says, an dining experience with watery view.


Further details can be found here
 

Queen's Pier, sunrise seascape

                               Good morning

Reasons to live on The Isle of Man are many and one of those are the benefits of hardly any urban light pollution, or in some of the coastal or rural areas, none at all. You may have to get up early and get your feet a little wet but the sunrises are really worth the wait, North of the island, East coast. The pier maybe closed to the public now, but it's still one of Ramsey's icons. 


This post is part of skywatch and others around the world can be found here

The Mitre Hotel, pub with a view

                                Beer and boats


The Mitre Hotel has recently undergone a refurb, but the great harbour view remains. Not many pubs can claim a view straight onto a quayside. Another place where you can find locals belting out karaoke, charity nights for worthwhile local causes, carveries and varied food themed nights upstairs. Downstairs, you can hire the private rooms for functions, or listen or to the local folk and Manx music groups. You can even join in at open mic sessions, or for those musically gifted can take their own instrument of choice and join in. Pub bands are also a regular feature. Something for everyone here, can be found at the Mitre. Even if that something is a quiet pint and an evening sunset.

See here for a night out at the Mitre in aid of a local good cause

Isle of Man TT, Sure Sidecar Race 2

Side by side. The next shot was a wheel lift and crunch!

Sidecar 15 Roy Hanks/Kevin Perry - Sidecar 16 Gordon Shand / Phil Hyde

This is a new spot to me to photograph from, School House Corner, Lezayre Road, Ramsey. I normally photograph right in the heart of town, Parliament Square. It's not just motorbikes racing at the TT (Tourist Trophy) Road Races, sidecars feature heavily too. There are not many sport events in the world you can get this close to photograph, from the safety of someones garden. For me they are still after 11 years here the best two weeks on the island.


Manx Grand Prix, coming soon.

Cycling, Manx 100, Isle of Man

                       100 km or 100 miles


The Manx 100 is a testing mountain bike event. Competitors enter either the 100 miles or 100 km of endurance cycling. Over road, mountains, bike trails. It is not for the faint hearted or Sunday cyclist.  This event is aimed at experienced endurance mountain bikers, both local and oversees cyclists taking part. The road signage is minimal, the course is bleak in parts, exposed to the elements, and over rough terrain in other areas. This is the island that has produced world class cyclists, such as Mark Cavendish and Peter Kennaugh.  Mark Cavendish has often said, that the Isle of Man is where he learned to ride, and ride to world class standard, as they are the toughest courses in the world.

The rest of the Manx 100 photos, can be seen on my facebook page  here 

 Other abc's around the world can be seen here

Ramsey Park Hotel

                              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.

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.


Other skies around the world as part of Skywatch can be found here

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.

The Isle of Man TT 2012.....Soon

And here's one of 2011

This is what we call a taster of things to be posted on the blog for the next 2 weeks. If you want to be updated about the TT, or just nosy about this funny little rock in the Irish Sea then stay tuned. If you just want to check out if I still drink in the usual pubs and knock back copious doubles of Jack Daniels and still get the shot stay tuned.


Also looking for Tourists. .......I need to shoot you....only in photos. Short and sweet folks. It is karaoke Friday. I need to be in a pub. Try this Facebook Page Jane Hards Photography.....It's where I post other photos for your viewing pleasure.

Tarra.

Skywatch # 79 - I'm on a plane, I can't complain

And then I'm done, and I can go home

Actually I have no idea what number skywatch I'm posting but the random number spoke to me so it shall be. You'll know my musical tastes my now so I make no apologies for the outrageous use of part lyric and tweaking of a particular word too explain the image.


Simply Nirvana to be amongst the clouds looking down on the island, though not Ramsey. That would be the North. This would be the Southern bit of these here parts. Well the airport is South of the island so that'd be where we were heading. Unless you count Jurby airfield. Let me see, trip to the prison, thanks but no thanks. This was also the I'm sooooooooooooooooooo bored on the short journey back from England, oh why can't I be back in the South of France let's play with the point and shoot camera for a bit shot. Here's a tip for you though. Don't start being creative and doing that whole " hello I'm taking part in the 100 strangers photo thing on flickr.... may I take your picture" for some reason means translates as I'm a terrorist. Not like I used the word shoot, or (flash) gun. Not like any of that last bit was true either, just the image above and a glimpse of the island as seem from the sky.


Been a while since I skywatched so I'll have to check in later but here's the link back to the Skywatch team http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Hiding out in the harbour - abc

Highlights on the high seas

I'm beginning to feel like Ross from Friends talking to Rachael. I never deserted the blog. I WAS ON A BREAK. Can I please add not by choice. My psycho laptop, the one with suicidal tendencies had a breakdown and fell into a coma. The nut job laptop is back, motherboard images intact and whatever therapy it needed to cope with me constantly abusing it by uploading soooooooooooooooooo many images we have reached an understanding. So here's the first one to get us back into the groove before I go off at a complete tangent as usual and into a mega rant about island life not being all it should be. A sweet little finish the day off after the rugby on the way home shot of the harbour. Gotta say, it's been all doom and gloom weather wise, but just as the laptop arrived home the glorious light returned to our shores and the wonderful sky blue appeared on the high( ok harbour inlet but let me manipulate the truth as always for purple prose effect and slip in another H) just waiting for me to capture. The vessel moored too nicely weathered and hell I've even got people in there walking to the lighthouse, just to prove I ain't the only one residing here. Just the only one in hiding. Those privy to my FB real persona can vouch for the fact I actually do have a cunning highway woman outfit. Another h, though on reflection not perhaps the most inconspicuous of outfits to wear taking photos.

Well I'm hopefully back, but I'm not a slave to the blog and this is not a to be taken too seriously look at the world I live in. Photography yes, words no. This isn't a travelogue but you will learn more about true island life and quirks than any book/site/or I love the island so much I won't have a word said against it types. It's a love hate relationship after all.

For more abc's see here

Life's an Isle Of Man Beach - My World

Mooragh Beach, Ramsey

Keeping it simple this week and responding to a several requests for more beach images. So here we are again, walking out of town. As you can see the tide is out so you are able to actually walk out quite away. You see we have wonderul sweeping bays(two remember) but the sand is always damp due the incoming tides as I have mentioned before.


Towards the left handside would be Mooragh Promenade. We are actually further along the Promenade than we have been before. Behind me out of shot would be the harbour jetty way off in the distance now, bridge and Ramsey town. To the right is obviously the sea, but as we are an island you would expect to see land ahoy at some stage. You do, and that would be part of the British Isles, England, Scotland and Wales. On a clear day you can make out the landscape of the Lake District in Cumbria. Looking north the bay sweeps round to the promontory known as Shellagh Point. This is the closest I have taken you to it. Shellagh another Manx word. It appears Shellagh means willow. I have noted recently it's use as a girl's name. I'm not sure those using the name know of it's origin, or are Manx. I wonder if anyone out there knows of another meaning or anyone is actually named Shellagh? I'm still searching on this one. Just curious.


For perspective click the words in red below to show you stages along the beach. May help to put this scene context. For those that have read about the Grand Hotel on the blog, behind the white house on the left out of sight would be the Grand Hotel.

Beach 1
Beach 2

Beach3
Rocks

DON'T LET THE TOURISTS ESCAPE!

Not The Magical Mystery Tour but roll up anyway

I told you we have tourists. Not just for two weeks in June when the TT Road Races are here either. Real live people spending their hard earned salaries(actually pensions these were more your retired folk) to help boost the economy here North of the Island. All the way from Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. To a Manx person here the island is the mainland and the UK is commonly known as "across" which means wherever the tourists came from, they came from across but are very welcome. Very, very welcome. So where would they go this side of town?

The little group you can see were heading off towards St Paul's shopping centre. That would be a left turn at the conveniently named St Paul's church you can see that's the tallest building on the left. This lot went straight for the Shoprite, one of local Supermarkets. Actually they hit the toilets first but we'll gloss over that one. Next was St Paul's Bookshop, then we had a split in the ranks and they stopped by the one or two cafes we have dotted about the town which would be off towards the right of the image. Of course the odd one or two sneaked off for a heavier tipple in the oh so many pubs we have. Incidentally the grass verge you see that is adjacent to the old Swimming Pool. Apparently that's the place they normally went first for a slap up lunch, but that's now closed and they didn't want to leave the main body of the town and go over the bridge to the new Swimming Pool. The words told you so come to mind. Apparently it suited a Pensioner's pocket. I'm sure they'll love the New Pool soon, 0nce they are brave enough to cross the swinging bridge of doom.


Next time I'll try and get a tourist eating a Davison's ice cream or should I say fighting the seagulls for it. I swear the gulls can spot a tourist from a local a mile off and dive bomb for bag of chips. So no posed contrived smiley images but natural sneaky peeks of grumpy kids, moaning pensioners, stressed parents and argumentative adolescents. Still wish you were here?

Babooshka http://dailyphotoisleofman.blogspot.com/ ramsey daily photo