MOORAGH PARK

Mooragh Park, Ramsey, Isle Of Man

Yesterday I posted a series of very precise firework shots from Mooragh Park. Today a very different style of shot looking in the opposite direction. Every so often I leave the mighty Nikon at home and take out the tiny point and shoot no frill Olympus and post a few shots. I always say it is the photographer and not the camera that is most important. Even yesterday's images, although on the better camera, I still had to compose, fame and time - without a tripod. What of today's image?

The Olympus is a great little pocket camera to use when it's raining or a lot of moisture in the air.
Under these conditions and poor light you can often, if you use the right subject, and compose before you shoot, obtain an image that could be from another era. The sky was so pale grey that it becomes almost white in monchrome as does the foreground foliage already in shadow, becomes silhouetted. The rain, so fine, is picked up on a point and shoot as a misty layer, giving the background a nice hazy feel across North Barrule Mountain and Albert Tower. Note that Albert Tower, that's the centre focal point, what looks like a line, a chimney stack in the distance is actually emphasised and sharper in the reflected glass like image.

Two posts, same place, different cameras, weather conditions, hour, and subject, same photographer. Note the common link. The daily photo is not about photography, it is about the place we post from. Most people who participate are not photographers like myself and have either a point an shoot or camera phone and little time. Let's just remember that when we stop by a daily photo. Think before you judge, read the text and digest, think before you post a comment or are about to skip posting a comment, because the image isn't incredible fireworks. I guarantee you if you go to even one different blog today and look at it carefully you will understand what I mean and make someone happier for a a few pleasant words.

WHAT IS BONFIRE NIGHT? - RAMSEY SKYWATCH

I mentioned Bonfire Night in previous post this week, but what is it and who was Guy Fawkes?

Bonfire Night, 5th November


We celebrate Bonfire Night 5th November around the UK and Isle of Man by building Bonfires and placing an effigy usually made by children, known as a guy on top of the Bonfire and finish of the night with organised Fireworks displays, mine being Ramsey Mooragh Park. A common practise in the lead up to Bonfire Night is for children to ask you for "a penny for the guy" they have made. Toffee apples are the biggest selling sweet around this time, but each area has a variant.

There you go. That's what Bonfire Night is and these are a few fireworks I took in Ramsey. Do you have anything like this in your part of the world?

To join skywatch go to SKYWATCH
The concept was Dot's, the next host WIGGERS WORLD the guardians of skywatch now are Tom, Imac and Sandy.

PRESIDENT OBAMA - AT LAST!

Image courtesy of © Gary Barker BBC Politics Show

The eyes of the of the world were upon America to "do the right thing." Thank you for not letting us down. Never in my lifetime did I think I would see a Black Man in the Whitehouse, but Obama is so much more than the colour of his skin. A gifted orator, intelligent, charismatic, forward thinking, believable, honourable human being. We don't get many of those in power sadly on either side of the political divide now. Most importantly too, is how he inspired people to actually turn up to vote, especially the young. We have too much voter apathy in this country, the UK, but here was a guy who spurred people into exercising their right to vote in what is still we are told the bastion of democracy. Last night it really did feel like the "land of the free", "could have a dream", and a "change is gonna come" to paraphrase a little.

Politics are as you know are very important to me, especially as my partner is the Political Cartoonist for the BARKER GALLERY BBC POLITICS SHOW .The image above is his latest offering created in my house in Ramsey, Isle Of Man, displayed on the BBC website and probably sold to a genuine collector at some point in the future. Sometimes Gary creates images that are quite parochial to our political situations, other times his images will document an historical event, and be part of the news themselves. I will never take a photo as important as the historical, contorversial, poignant image such as this he created this week. Obama as President is the best thing to happen for democracy in my lifetime.

My lasting memory of the celebrations will be of Jesse Jackson's genuine tears. The man who stood beside Martin Luther King, and now Obama. He was the bridge between the worlds. Time will tell what kind of President Obama will prove to be. Times are bad, and his inheritance is poor, but he promised change and so far he has delivered the biggest change of all voter apathy into voter awareness. A one time only from me, you won't hear me say this again, but "All Hail the Chief". If only Rosa Parks has lived to see this day.

America well done and thank you.

POYLL DOOEY NATURE RESERVE

Poyll Dooey ABC

Poyll Dooey Nature Reserve is an area of land in Ramsey that is a haven for wildlife. It is also a haven for me as a photographer. You have seen this image above before, but not as a day shot, but one of my skywatch shots, where the skies are rich in purples and the trees are usually silhouetted. How different one place can look from day to night.

Poyll Dooey has a series of nature trails running through it. Follow the trails and you will happen upon many wonderful birds, rabbits, dragonflies, ladybirds... and dogs. It's a dog walkers heaven. Take a step off the nature trails and walkways and you will find yourself wading through overgrown scrub land, ponds, bogs, wild grasses and wild flowers such as bluebells and onto the meadows. Nestled amongst all of this is a picnic area in a beautifully maintained garden setting. walk to the far side of Poyll Dooey you happen upon the white bridge or wander a trail 'til you reach the Sulby River and follow it into Ramsey Town. In fact I have taken you round the Poyll Dooey many times, but usually down by the river. This is the meadow that lies in front of the white bridge.

Poyll Dooey, what does it mean though? Poyll means Pool that was the easy bit, but Dooey. First time around when I posted a Poyll Dooey post I asked if anyone had any ideas. Well I'll ask again. I've since found two meaning "sand dunes" or "fun gathering." Now as these two meaning differ greatly from each other I wonder if anyone else has another alternative.

By the way. The New American President will be making a guest appearance (of sorts) on this blog tomorrow. Obviously not in the flesh, but his er image will be.


Want to join ABC got the lovely hostess with the mostest, MRS NESBITT'S PLACE

PULL UP A CHAIR - MONOCHROME ODDSHOTS

Yes this is the famous abandoned chair in the nature reserve, but a different shot. It's monochrome and it's odd. Simple. The text is very hard hitting today.

We've had far to many pretty pictures on this blog recently that I thought we'd get back to reality and have the uglier side of life again. The photographer in me knew straight away that this was going to be snapped as an example of the odd shot concept. The other side of me though,
well got really angry about this.

On so many levels this image is wrong! The image was taken yet again in the nature reserve. The reserve as I have often stated is a haven for wildlife. It is not a landfill site, dumping ground, or recycling bin. Obviously some idiot out there blatantly disagrees. Now, I know I spend a lot of time over here, but that does not give me the right to pull up a abandoned chair to study the wildlife. This really angers me! For a start, if you want to get rid of it hire a skip and dispose of it.
Why would you go to the trouble of dragging the chair through the brambles onto a designated wildlife area. The other thing is, the chair itself seemed in not to bad condition. What was wrong with donating it to a local charity to get it cleaned and refurbished. I'm sure a poor soul in need of
such an item would gladly give this poor chair a home. As for the child's toy buggy, the same applies. How do we know that wouldn't have made some kids day to receive that, which another had so easily discarded.

We live in a very selfish age. There really is no need for this kind of unsociable behaviour. These abandoned items are a danger to wildlife and a missed opportunity on the recycling front. Charity is supposed to begin at home. So maybe next time you have a item you no longer need try your neighbour, charity shop, homeless centre, or recycling plant. Whoever you are that did this, I hope you and your new shiny sofa are siting very uncomfortably right now!

This is as much Ramsey as the sunsets. Some people are scared of the truth appearing on their own blog so I know I can print this in the knowledge this will not be ripped off as it's not pretty. Some people too would prefer to gloss over these issues. No, we need to address them in order to recognise what is wrong so we can correct it. Like many of the other Isle of Man problems, like the economic downturn, rising unemployment, dwindling tourist industry and yes the nepotism.
The right people for the right job. Improve what is poor, do not ignore it. Helping each other, not hijacking their ideas. Enough said. Bad day, very disappointed with certain quarters, and have learnt the hard way not to help others, and it really is who you know, not merit talent or work ethic that is the way to get on. This I needed to say in order for me to get back into blog mode and indeed picking up the camera.

Want to join the weird world of Odd Shots Monday? Then see KATNEY

Want to join the beautiful and creative world of Mononchorome Monday? Then see Aileni at LOOSE ENDS

GINNIE THE WITCH - CRITTERS SUNDAY

Following on from "Hop Ta Naa" the Isle of Man celebration that is now intermingled with Halloween I give you "Ginnie The Witch." Alternative spelling of Jinnie can be found too. What do witches have, a black cat of course. This one isn't actually true black if you look closely, but the eyes are true green. Back to Ginnie.

Ginne the witch is the "Manx English" version of the Hop Tu Naa from yesterday. Here's the poem. Well two versions of the poem. Just to be typically Manx, why have one just one version.

Ginnie The Witch

Hop-tu-Naa

My mother's gone away

And she won't be back until the morning

Jinnie the Witch flew over the house

To fetch the stick to lather the mouse

Hop-tu-Naa

My mother's gone away

And she won't be back until the morning

Hop-tu-Naa, Traa-la-laa

Or alonger version

Hop-tu-naa put in a pot

Hop-tu-naa I scolded me throat

Hop-tu-naa I met an old woman

Hop-tu-naa She was baking bonnags

Hop-tu-naa I asked for a bit

Hop-tu-naa she gave me a bit

as big as me big toe

Hop-tu-naa she dipped it in milk

Hop-tu-naa she wrapped it in silk

Hop-tu-naa, Traa la lay

Jinnie the witch is in you house

Give me a penny and I'll chase her out

Hop-tu-naa, Traa la lay

More Manx Madness on Ramsey Daily Photo. The original one. You will always here it here first.

For more wonderful camera critters see MISTY DAWN Camera critters and be sure to leave a nice comment for Misty' s own outstanding posts.

HOP TU NAA OR HALLOWEEN 2

Due to a techincal hitch cdp, theme day books could not be posted. By the way that is not Norman Bates house from Psycho, but flats on Mooragh Promenade. Instead I follow on from Skywatch and the difference between Halloween and the Isle Of Man celebration of "Hop Tu Naa." Since yesterday's post I have found that "trick or treat" far from being an American idea may indeeed have it's origins in Hop Tu Naa. In older times children would have brought the stumps of turnips(not pumpkins) with them and batter the doors of those who refused to give them any money! So is the Isle of Man to blame for introducing the more sedate" trick or treat" to the world afterall?

Like to learn "The Hop Tu Naa" song. Manx Or English? Ok both

Hop-tu-Naa in Manx	Hop-tu-Naa in English
Shoh shenn oie Houiney; Hop-tu-naa	This is old Hollantide night; Hop-tu-naa
T'an eayst soilshean; Trol-la-laa.	The moon shines bright; Trol-la-laa.
Kellagh ny kiarkyn; Hop-tu-naa.	Cock of the hens; Hop-tu-naa
Shibber ny gauin; Trol-la-laa.	Supper of the heifer; Trol-la-laa.
'Cre'n gauin marr mayd ? Hop-tu-naa.	Which heifer shall we kill? Hop-tu-naa
Yn gauin veg vreac. Trol-la-laa.	The little speckled heifer. Trol-la-laa.
Yn chione kerroo, Hop-tu-naa.	The fore-quarter, Hop-tu-naa
Ver mayd 'sy phot diu; Trol-la-laa.	We'll put in the pot for you. Trol-la-laa.
Yn kerroo veg cooyl, Hop-tu-naa.	The little hind quarter, Hop-tu-naa
Cur dooin, cur dooin. Trol-la-laa.	Give to us, give to us. Trol-la-laa.
Hayst mee yn anvroie, Hop-tu-naa.	I tasted the broth, Hop-tu-naa
Scoald mee my hengey, Trol-la-laa.	I scalded my tongue, Trol-la-laa.
Ro'e mee gys y chibber, Hop-tu-naa.	I ran to the well, Hop-tu-naa
As diu mee my haie, Trol-la-laa.	And drank my fill; Trol-la-laa.
Er my raad thie, Hop-tu-naa.	On my way back, Hop-tu-naa
Veeit mee kayt-vuitsh; Trol-la-laa.	I met a witch cat; Trol-la-laa.
Va yn chayt-scryssey, Hop-tu-naa.	The cat began to grin, Hop-tu-naa
As ren mee roie ersooyl. Trol-la-laa.	And I am a slag away. Trol-la-laa.
Cre'n raad ren oo roie Hop-tu-naa.	Where did you run to? Hop-tu-naa
Roie mee gys Albin. Trol-la-laa.	I ran to Scotland. Trol-la-laa.
Cred v'ad jannoo ayns shen ? Hop-til-naa	What were they doing there? Hop-til-naa
Fuinney bonnagyn as rostey sthalgyn. Trol-la-laa.	Baking bannocks and roasting collops. Trol-la-laa.
Hop-tu-naa, Trol-la-laa.	Hop-tu-naa, Trol-la-laa

(Loayrt)

My ta shiu goll dy chur red erbee dooin, cur dooin tappee eh,

Ny vees mayd ersooyl liorish soilshey yn cayst

Hop-tu-naa, Trol-la-laa.

(Spoken)

If you are going to give us anything, give it us soon,

Or we'll be away by the light of the moon.

Hop-tu-naa, Trol-la-laa.

Strange island isn't it? Well we do have three legs on our flag! Do you have any halloween songs or traditions, like burning the Wicker Man perhaps. No, that's back to us again.