ABC WEDNESDAY - Q IS FOR QUEENS PIER

Queens Pier, Ramsey is a post I've written before, but as it's "Q" I thought I would take the opportunity again to highlight a worthy cause, saving Queens pier.

In subsequent years the Pier has fallen into a state of decline, no longer used as landing port, closed to visitors and declared unsafe. The future of Ramsey Queens Pier remains uncertain.

When I did my previous post about the pier work had just got underway to secure and make it a least safe before it fell itno the sea. The work is still continuing, albeit intermittently. Rumours, suggestions and options are still being considered as to renovate or demolish. As I've said before I do hope it's the former. The approach to Ramsey, from Douglas, just wouldn't be the same without it.

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STAR OF INDIA

The Star of India is the world's oldest seafaring ship. Built in 1863 at Ramsey Shipyard in the Isle of Man, it was an experimental design using iron rather than wood. Originally launched as Euterpe, named after the Greek goddess of music, it was a full-rigged working ship. Her maiden voyage included a collision and mutiny. Her second met with a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal. Subsequently her first captain died on board and was buired at sea. The word jinx comes to mind!

She served as a cargo ship to India, a passenger vessel hauling emigrants to New Zealand and a commercial salmon fishing and packing facility. She also had several owners. In 1906 her name was changed to Star Of India. In 1923, she was towed to the San Diego bay after serving the seas for 60 years. There she sat for a further 50 years, her fate in the balance until a decision was made on her future. She was to be restored.

In 1976, the fully restored Star of India put to sea for the first time in fifty years.The Captain for the newly restored ships voyage was Captain Carl Bowman. A crowd of half a million passengers, crew and onlookers came to wish her good luck on this latest adventure. She has since then set sail on several special occasions.

You can still visit the Star of India as it is still docked in San Diego Maritime Museum as part of the Maritime Tour and view a more comprehensive history.

The plaque commemorates the bond that has been formed with San Diego in restoring and preserving this historic part of Ramsey, and the Isle of Man. It was dedicated to the town by N.A.M.A. The " North American Manx Association " and stands proudly along the quay of Ramsey for all to see.

ODD SHOTS MONDAY- HIDE AND SEEK

I'm thinking of starting a range of humourous critters greetings cards. What do you think? The humans run away when they see me and my camera. Not so the animals and birds. Almost seem to perform when they see me appear on the horizon. Two minutes earlier these ducks were perfectly happy waddling about. Then in unison, it was heads down for the camera lady. Maybe they weren't performing afterall? Perhaps they were hoping I'd pass them by if they weren't displaying their heads and fine beaks. Don't be silly it's Odd shots Monday and hiding ducks will do just fine. More Isle of Man birds immortalized as greetings cards coming soon. Well it will be if they keep behaving like this!

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GEORGE THE ESCAPED PELICAN

Say hello to George posing nicely here showing his best side. George is a bit of a celebrity as he escapes from the Wildlife Park, here on the Isle of Man, to Ramsey, usually the promenade, (where this pic was taken) on several occasions. Why he only flies to Ramsey is a mystery, must be good fishing for pelicans. He is not the first escapee pelican, that honour goes to Scotty in '98, and I'm sure he won't be the last. Scotty though made it to Scotalnd, so obviously a more adventurous pelican. Actually I think George just wanted to feature in the Ramsey Daily Photo and was a bit miffed I have photographed so many other birds. He's make a great odd shot sometime. Whole new meaning to a Pelican Crossing!

For more camera critters see MISTY DAWN Camera ctrittrers.

LAXEY WHEEL

Laxey Wheel, The Lady Isabella(named after the Lieutenant's Governer's wife ot the time) was designed by John Casement in 1854 and used to pump water away from the mines. It still remains the largest working watermill in the world. Now, it's one of the main tourist attractions on the island. The brave, for a small fee can go to the top and survey the land around. I just chose part of the wheel today because I was more interested in the spokes. It struck me that these would probably not be constructed this way now on the grounds of health and safety.

The "Triskelion", the 3 legs of man symbol displayed on the side (not in view but in an earlier post) is the national image of the island and is actually the wrong way round. They forgot to reverse the image when it was transfered and so remains the opposite way round. Incidently you may have seen the 3 legs symbol on another islands flag, that of Sicily. Now you're not so sure if I'm joking when I refer to the "Manx Mafia"

Laxey, is from the Norse word Laxa and means "Salmon River." A normally sedate town the quiet is disrupted(in a good way) once a year for the Laxey Blues festival. Virtually the whole town is turned into a mini Glastonbury, without the mud, and good time is had into the early hours by all as seen by earlier posts this week.

SKYWATCH FRIDAY - STORMY WEATHER

Despite the blue skies we've had here in Ramsey and the Isle of Man in general, I still find myself photographing storm clouds. Image taken outside Shoprite, supermarket. You can imagine the looks I received when I pointed the camera to the heavens and began snapping, especially when framing the image to include the cute lampost no one else is remotely interested in.

Since participating in Skywatch I have noticed how the light changes around the world. Here it's definately opaque and dense. Grey, purple hues are the norm. When the sky is blue, it's a rich deep hue. The sunsets vibrant oranges to vivid reds. Whatever the colour, it's always appears treacle like and opaque. Some Skywatchers seem to have a soft clear liquid light, usually pastel pinks and blues in tones, almost fluid such as Louis La Vache's SAN FRANSICO BAY
Looking at the big sky for skywatch around the world is certainly never dull.

If you want to particpate in skywatch see Tom at WIGGERS WORLD.
Only genuine skywatchers need apply. None of your advertising for sales sites please. This is for enthusiasts only and hosted by Tom of the fabulous WIGGERS WORLD

LAXEY BLUES FESTIVAL RELOADED

Another from the Laxey Blues Festival. As you can see the lighting in these venues is always quite poor. The photographer(yes me) is usually a little merry aswell on the local ale by this time, so getting serious with the camera is the furthest notion from my mind. It's a fine line on these type of occasions, especially live music events which I adore, whether to be professional and dispassionate and seek out the ideal images or just kick back and be a fully fledged audience participant. Falling somewhere between the two camps I try and establish a happy medium. Usually though, the fan takes over. Who wouldn't want to enjoy a musical feast such as the Blues festival.

The band, as mentioned in a previous post are "Walter Ego." A local band that has many a line up change, but still maintain a quality sound.

I frequently mention the TT and have been asked via comments what this is. Basically, as I've said before, it's the oldest motorbike road races in the world. TT stands for "Tourist Trophey" and is not one but a series of week-long races for various class(size) of motorbikes and sidecars. A month to go now before the island is swamped with TT enthusiasts, including Mrs Nesbitt of
ABC Wednesday who can be found at MRS NESBITT'S PLACE