Autumn Sunsets

                         Remains of the day


One from the archives. The Poyll Dooey Nature Reserve. Dying embers of the evening sky. No street light, purer colours.  Bit of peace and quiet in a noisy world.


Image part of  Our World Tuesday


Nikon D50, Ramsey, Isle of Man.

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

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.

Cherry Blossom on Parliament Street

                                                                           Spring

A archive from a few years ago on the little point and shoot, taken around this time  of year on the local high street. A few regeneration changes to this area since this captured image, but pale green building is still the Mitre pub and the cherry trees still blossom. You know it's Spring when the blossom arrives. 

Parliament Street, Ramsey, Isle of Man

Jane Hards Photography

Image part of Our World Tuesday

Snow days

                           and slushy walks


One from the archives, when the town closed due to an influx of the white stuff. It's been 5 years since this scene and snowmen popped up on every street corner. I'd actually like another snow day. While everyone else takes the day off, to have a snowball fight, I'd be busy working capturing the snow covered landscape. Another part of the town, over the bridge taken from North Shore Road, looking Shipyards Road, leading down to the harbour. 

Jane Hards Photography

Image part of Our World Tuesday

Reservoir Reflections

                              Peace and quiet


A recent discovery on my doorstep, Ballure Reservoir. This tranquil spot isn't just a reservoir, it's home to a variety of wildlife, of which I shall hopefully be discovering and photographing as Spring gets underway. I've already taken a batch of images of the reservoir itself and will be back up there ramble round further along the nature trails. A lovey find a minutes from my home and off the beaten track. It's my new second office, the beach still being my first. The beauty of self employed photography, I can go there anytime and not wait for the weekend. More to follow on this area. 

Ramsey, Isle of Man 

Jane Hards Photography

Image part of Our World Tuesday.

Having a splashing time

                        Turned out nice again


The walk to the shops, negotiating a little bit of tidal flooding and weather bombs along the promenade. The perils of small town, small island life.  This is living dangerously. Last week was avoiding sunburn from a scorching sunrise. It's all go, haha but we like it that way. Sunnier Isle of Man views can be found, Jane Hards Photography

Note to self, buy waterproof camera cover. 

Image part of Our World Tuesday

Geology beach walk

                                  On the rocks


Another day, another beach walk. Further along than my usual walk, towards the rocky area and small cave, before the incoming tide covers the sandy beach and lashes those rocks. My other half was formerly a palaeontologist and studied geology and environmental science. This means a walk near any rock formation  along the beach, is a stop start to collect fossils and washed up debris and have a lesson in what kind of rock formation and folds etc the rocky area of Ramsey comprises of, igneous, volcanic, words of the day, and echinoid fossils collected. Always amazing what gets washed up these beaches, sometimes not a a fossil find, but a much younger bicycle tyre.  Further reading on not just Ramsey, but the Isle of Man, see Manx Geological Survey

Further beach finds and views see walk on the beach album at Jane Hards Photography

Image part of Our World Tuesday

Evening walk on Parliament Street

                            Between pubs


Standing outside Court Cafe, Parliament Street, the main high street and shopping area of Ramsey. Night time however, all closed apart from Bourne Plaice takeaway fish and chip shop, the tallest white building in view This area underwent a regeneration over the last few years. As you can see, unlike a lot of downtown areas, we having no chewing gum on the pavements (sidewalks) and no litter. Rarely does either occur. The street is a one way system. That one way has changed several time over the years. You can always spot a tourist, not knowing which way is the right way.  Photo take en  route between pubs. The town may look closed, but the pubs bars and restaurants/takeaways are open, ready for night time revellers.


Jane Hards Photography

Ramsey, Isle of Man

Part of Our World Tuesday

Snow on the Isle of Man TT course

              Don't worry, all be gone for TT


Where the street light is left hand side of the photograph is a little alley behind the back of Taubman Street. That's one of my spots to capture the Isle of Man TT races that happen May/June of each year. Parliament Square is part of the TT course. It's probably hard for all those tourists who come over for the motorbike race to envisage this snowy winter view as the same place they watch the race from. This area is also a meeting place for biking tourists visiting Ramsey. The same photo for TT would be full of visitors stopping for a bite to eat or soft drink from the pub close by. What a difference seasonal weather makes.

Jane Hards Photography

Part of Our World Tuesday

Daily beach walk

                             House with a sea view


I call the beach my office, as I do most of my Ramsey photography here. This image is walking out to sea, looking back towards the house overlooking the beach, and the arches to the left of the image. If you walk towards the arches you encounter a walkway through the glen leading you upwards back onto Ballure Road and the tram tracks.  A lovely little area inhabited by numerous birds and the occasional shy rabbit. Another walk for a another day, and another view to capture. 

This is part of my daily walk, which today I've posted as part of Our World Tuesday, a snapshot of my world. 

The rest of the album can be found here with views of the beach and strange objects washed up and a rare sighting of a Political Cartoonist, my other half.

Snow fell, not Snaefell

                      Not enough for a snow day

First snowflakes of the winter appearing on the mountain, North Barrule, as viewed from Mooragh Park. Not enough for a snow day, so pack those sleighs away for a few more weeks and get back to school. That's the adults btw.  When it hits the urban areas, the towns of the island, and the roads, then everywhere will come to a standstill and the island will be taken over by snowmen. My Icelandic friend, the Norseman will understand the Snaefell, snow fall on the snowy mountain zzzzz. He will also call this mountain a hill. It's blogging thang.

Part of Our World Tuesday posts. Others around the world can be seen here