The old swimming pool

Put to good use

Taken around 2008, the old swimming pool which remained at one time abandoned for over a year. Several proposals were put for forward for use of the building from a cinema to a community centre. A campaign gained momentum which backed another idea, a bowling alley. This proved to be the most popular choice and the SureStrike Bowling Centre opened in 2009.

Jane Hards Photography

Thursdays coffee with friends, the cafe.

SureStrike Bowling Centre

                                Bowling anyone?


The building in front of the apartment block is the Surestrike Bowling Alley, though a lot of people will remember the building once being the old swimming baths, which have since relocated to a new building and part of Ramsey. Not just a bowling centre, a great large separate dining area too, serving great food, great coffee, and even a bar for those wanting something stronger. The bowling alley can be hired for private bowling functions, for those wishing to have the place to themselves for celebrations.  This is my Thursday place for coffee and catch up with friends.  They also do themed nights too, for something a little different. A family friendly venue, which is ideal for all those kids on holiday atm and adults alike. With the summer weather being hotter than usual you can even sit outside with your brew after your game and watch the tide roll in and out, and head indoors when the inevitable rain appears.

Ramsey Craft Centre

                Needles, pins and arty things

A visitor to the island, many years ago,  follows the blog and asked me if a "pretty little shop full of brightly colours cottons" still open in Ramsey.  I'm happy to say, indeed it is.  I've had many a sewing emergency (ok one or two) averted by this little local shop. Just a quick post and a snapshot, with the morning sunrise reflection, though I will photograph inside for our visitor soon.
Simonetta

Mooragh Lake - My World

Who let the water out again!

Mooragh Park contains conveniently Mooragh Lake, otherwise known as the boating lake. I know it's hard to believe as it's so shallow but normally you can see canoeists and very small sail boats on the lake. If you have read any of my earlier posts you will also know I am one of the locals of that have actually swam in this lake. Not by choice may I add. Capsizing out of a canoe fully clothed taking a swim in the blackness of the water below and climbing back into the canoe fully sized and sopping wet is well no fun. I hasten to add it was most definitely unintentional and in much deeper water than this. You can see why we need a lot of rainfall here.


Can you believe at one time this area was a 200 acre tidal swamp. In 1881 the Ramsey Town Commissioners purchased the land for the princely sum of £1,200 with the idea of creating a pleasure park. Now we are not talking Disney World or Central Park, but 6 years later the park was opened. We still have the boating lake, two cafes, crazy golf, crown green bowling, wooded area, grassy area, skateboard park, kiddies playground and tennis court. The lake is the dominant part if the park being viewed from any part of the park. As you can see I have actually taken this image close on the edge of the lake looking towards Ramsey Town with North Barrule Mountain in the background on a very sunny day. As much as I hate to say this as it's so lovely to have the sunshine we could do with one very heavy downpour just to top up that lake. After all I might need to go swimming again when I fall out of a canoe. It's dark too when it's full. Can't see a thing. No sharks though, well only the financial ones. I dedicate this post to Jim and Sally who very kindly(OK nagged me so much by email) to " show the lake we used to canoe on as kids" again please. There you are then. A wide shot as requested. You never did say if you two fell in,... er I mean went for a well intentioned swim in the Lake? Let me know.

Monochrome Odd Shots- A bird in the hand

Bird onto hand transplant is a roaring success

Monochrome Odd shots

I don't usually like two bird images together, yesterday and today but I'm being rather lazy this weekend having a clear out. The back garden birds are also going a little winter mad. To be fair to them I don't think they are flying at the windows on a suicide mission this week but to get away from a very naughty cat who is going to get his backside squirted with water if I see him. Clumsy cat clattered into the patio windows leaving a great big dirty cat sized mark. Be warned kitty kat I will get you if harm one feather of my garden birds.

Sandi, asked yesterday what the bird was on the sidebar image. It's the same as this one as European siskin. Really cute birds and feisty but for migrating birds, no sense of direction. That's how I end up coaxing these little sweeties round again after they knock themselves out. The bird lover in me is helping them, but the dark side the photographer, just can't help going for those one handed photographs. Never one to miss an opportunity I always keep my portrait lens close to hand in the house for these close images. What's worse confessions of being a secret bird spotter or a "anything to get the photo" photographer. 

Will get back to the business of the blog tomorrow, anything goes good or bad and the ugly images of Ramsey. Going for realism this week, or as some of you know the search for white dog poo which I won't find or buildings instead. This is a serious photography project, stop laughing.

Monocrhome Maniacs hosted by Aileni, here. Odd shot hosted by Katney, here. Join or take a peek at others who have their own creations.

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