Ballure Glen

                               The walk to the sea


Ballure Glen is another hidden walk you'd overlook if you didn't know where to look, as it's set off the main road leading out of Ramsey to Douglas. If you start at the top entrance, off Ballure Road, you follow the path and stream from Ballure Reservoir, that will eventually lead you to the Irish Sea and beach  If you decide to go over the little bridge situated within the glen, you have a small climb up to Ballure Walk and where you'll find a picnic area. The island is full of myths and legends, and one of those tells of Carrasdoo men.  Believed to have had a base by the arches where the path meets beach.  There fires were lit tricking ships leading to their destruction. These  men were known as 'wreckers'. The Isle of Man, has a always will be a strange but beautiful place.


Part of Our World Tuesday

Manannan's Cloak

                         The local sea fog

Manannan's Cloak is a local mist which from time to time rolls in from the sea, covering the island in a foggy, hazy, blurry shroud said to protect  the island from being seen from marauding enemies.  The sea mist gets it's name from Manannan, a sea God, who from time to time according to legend, protects the island, hence Manannan's Cloak. I don't think we are being besieged by marauding Vikings today, or even tourists for that matter, so feeling quite safe, to photograph the local phenomena. 

 

Jane Hards Photography

 

More on Manannan Mac Lir can be found here

 

Image taken Stanley Mount West, Ramsey, Isle of Man, part of Our World Tuesday

Valentino Rossi's Parade Lap, Parliament Square

                             Isle of Man TT 2009

Another one for Denise Nesbitt, as she is a regular visitor to the Isle of Man TT Road Races, which takes place May/June for two weeks each year. Denise, and motorbike fans will instantly recognise the "Doctor" Valentino Rossi. Following him was another motorbike and TT legend, Giacomo Agostini. They both completed a slow parade lap of the island wide route, prior to one of the races. 

Over 200 photos of the two weeks racing and visitors can be seen here 

More abc's around the world can be found here 

MY LOST DAY LOOKED LIKE THIS?- SKYWATCH

Another wishing you were here picture postcard

Skywatch

Oh dear. Guess who didn't post and anything yesterday? Yes me. Of course I have the most wonderful reason (excuse) in the world that I could tell you all about. Would you like to hear about it. Actually I have no excuse whatsoever. Gary and I had a mid week drink with friends which somehow resulted in someone( er that would be me) suddenly interjecting they were hungry, so a trip to the local curry house ensued. All in a good course though. Yet another person known to Gary is leaving the island, so we had to send them off with a drink or two didn't we. When we eventually got home I got sidetracked and lost the rest of the night. Oops. By the time I got to a laptop Thursday(which is now) first time today) it was just too late as I'm now doing my Friday skywatch post of the photo that was taken Wednesday of the jetty and lighthouse from Queens Promenade. Confusing huh?


Anyway thanks for the emails as to why I had gone AWOL. No the Fenodyree, Ginnie the Witch or the wandering wallaby hadn't got me. No I was not hiding under Manannan's Cloak. No I hadn't fallen through the Stargate or Worm Hole. The Space Time Continuum is fine, no rips in time and no Parallel Universe has claimed me. I simply had a social break, no cameras, no blogs and simply forgot. No drama or crisis, just a time slip. I could spin you a tale of trolls under Ramsey Swing Bridge causing havoc an suchlike but maybe I'll leave that 'til the next time I lose a day. Knowing this place it could happen click red below.


Ginnie The Witch
Fenodyree

Skywatch watchers can be found here. Many thanks to Dot for the inspirational idea, Tom for the first care taking and the My world gang for looking after skywatch now.

Friday 13th again! Ah that explains it.

Babooshka Ramsey Daily Photo hhtp://dailyphotoisleofman.blogspot.com/

JACKDAW, RAMSEY HARBOUR- CRITTERS SUNDAY

Jackdaws love my big sphinx of quartz

Jackdaws, a member of the crow family are a very common birds on the Isle Of Man, especially around Ramsey Harbour. This one settled on the rope lines of a moored boat and seemed to be oblivious to my camera

 and I. Good. It meant I could get an image of the lovely plumage. Note the variety of colours from deep magenta to iridescent blues and greens.  A quick look they look all black but the plumage does have these very subtle change of colours. The throat and back of the head plumage have a lovely shimmering silver grey tone.  This one seemed to be very interested in something, but I have no idea what it was but I can guess it was shiny.

Jackdaws have a reputation like the magpie for theft of precious objects. They are known to have a penchant for shiny objects and swoop down to steal the item that capture their attention and fly off to the safety of their nest or other desired safe place. Fortunately the camera is matt black and I had gloves on so no distracting shiny items for the Jackdaw.  Actually they I have never seen one behave at all badly. Even our garden ones tend to be well behaved and queue for food. In fact I seen tiny siskins and goldfinches chase a Jackdaw away.

or more cute and crazies see MISTY DAWN and her own beauties and others