ODD SHOTS MONDAY - TYNWALD DAY AND THE TRISKELION

Well we've had Canada Day and American Independence Day, well make way for the big one(heavy dose of irony) put your hands together for July 7th, Tynwald Day, the Isle of Man's very own National day. It's actually July 5th, but we are celebrating on the 7th as the 5th fell on a saturday. It's still Ramsey week, but no activities today in Ramsey and the shops closed. The Triskelion, the odd shot above, I'll get to later.

Tynwald Fair Day, held annually on old midsummer's day in July is the Isle of Man's national day and is the occasion of the Tynwald Midsummer Court. The Members of Tynwald - the Manx parliament - meet at St John's village in the west of the Island for the ceremony, a legal requirement established by the Island's ninth century rulers.

The name comes from Thing-Vollr, the Norse for parliament field. Tynwald Court, together with the Island's senior public officer-holders, assembles on Tynwald Hill - a four tiered hill in the centre of St John's, reputed to be constructed from sods of earth from every parish. The open air sitting at Tynwald Hill dates back more than 1,000 years. During the ceremony, the Deemsters (the Isle of Man's High Court judges) promulgate Acts of Tynwald by proclaiming to the people in English and Manx Gaelic the titles of new laws which have been passed during the year. It is also an opportunity for Island residents to exercise their ancient right to present a petition for redress of grievance at the foot of Tynwald Hill, and for the swearing-in of the Island's four Coroners.

The Triskelion, the 3 Legs of Man symbol displayed in the photo is the national image of the island and is actually the wrong way round on the Laxey Wheel. They forgot to reverse the image when it was transfered and so remains the opposite to it should be. Incidently you may have seen the 3 legs symbol on another islands flag, that of Sicily. There are many theories about how and why the Triskelion is on the National flag, but again it seems a lot of people believe it was introduced by our friends the Vikings. Wil have to have a dedicated post to Triskelion theories.

I have recently received a few blog awards. As they are pay it forward kind of rewards, I will this week be displaying them and passing on to some deserving blogs who I'd like to highlight that may slip under the radar, but I am an ardent fan of.
Want to join Odd Shots Monday?

Then see KATNEY

CRITTERS SUNDAY- DUCKING OUT OF RAMSEY WEEK

Ramsey Week started today. It rained of course. I had my schedule ready, my planned set of places and events to photograph, but it just didn't happen. So had to resort to plan B. Just wait and hope it stops, even for a little while. In the meantime I caught up with the emails and sifting through the latest images, like this adorable little fellow above.

I don't know what is was he was trying to tell me, but he didn't stop quacking. Maybe I wasn't getting his best side, or he just wanted to let me know how delicious that mouthful of mud and blade of grass were. As I snapped away he kept quacking, until he made his excuses and and waddled away, still with the muddy mouth and blade of grass he seemed so fond of.

I did manage to snap a few photos, very late in the day. Not the successful camera day it should have been, but it need give me the opportunity to take a closer look at a set of photos that may not have seen the light of day, well not for a while. As for tomorrow and the other outdoor events in Ramsey, guess what it's forecast rain again, a lot of rain.

For more camera critters see MISTY DAWN Camera ctrittrers.

RAMSEY ROCKS OUT ON JULY 4TH

As Ramsey Week officially starts later today, I thought I'd kick things off with an archive Ramsey Rocks Pic. When I upload this post it will still be July 4th across the pond so I thought this one would go nicely with something Manx/American I have recently discovered. Not a phrase I ever thought I'd be writing on this blog!

NAMA, I mentioned in a previous post, is the North American Manx Association. Here's a little about them.

The North American Manx Association (NAMA) is a non-profit, ethnic and cultural heritage institution founded in 1928, as a successor organization to Mona's Relief Society of Cleveland, Ohio. NAMA is a group of Americans and Canadians dedicated to the preservation and appreciation of the Manx culture. Most of NAMA's 850 active members are second and third-generation North American. In the U.S., there are chapters in Chicago, Illinois; Cleveland, Ohio; Rocky Mountain; Galva, Illinois; the Greater Washington, D.C. area; Minnesota; Nebraska; Northern California; Utah, San Diego, California; and Wisconsin.

In Canada, you will find Manx groups in Ontario; and in Vancouver, British Columbia. NAMA is interested in helping Manx in all areas get in touch with local chapters or assisting those who want to start new chapters.

NAMA publishes the quarterly NAMA Bulletin, sent to each of its enrolled members.

For those interested in their Manx forebears, NAMA has Calvin Quayle as a resident genealogist. He serves as an archivist and information-dispenser. Please contact him to find out how to submit your research findings so we can build a greater Manx family tree. Please do not contact him to do genealogical research for there are just too many of us. But he will point you in the right direction.

For more Manx genealogy, there is the Isle of Man Family History Society (IOMFHS)

Will have to check this one out in depth. Could prove to be very interesting for this parochial little blog. Any members out there, your're more than welcome to stop by and educate me.

Gary and I were due to go for a drinkies tonight, but never got there. Good job as I noticed the sky was awesome, so I dragged him (not litereally caveman style, but figurativley you understand) over the nature reserve at 10pm. Quite what the neighbours thought when I was breaking world sprint records before the light went altogether in my scruffs I don't know. I snapped until the battery went, but got loads for next weeks skywatch. We don't get skies like this often so hey , a photographer's gotta do what photographer's gotta do and a cartoonist has to accompany her, even though it set his hayfever off. Thank you Gary for indulging me, yet again.

SKYWATCH FRIDAY- MOORAGH PARK,RAMSEY

This is Mooragh Lake within Mooragh Park, Ramsey. Almost a sunny day. Well it was a least trying to break through. Mooragh Park is another of my favourites Ramsey haunts. I've even had a go canoeing on that lake, and swam in it. That is to say, I capsized and had to swim fully clothed, and hoist myself back into the canoe. Now I know I'm little, but I couldn't stand up in that lake so getting back in the canoe was fun. It's not very elegant I can assure you! As for swimming underwater in a park lake, I wouldn't recommend it. Couldn't see a thing. Half expecting a Jaws moment to happen, a decapitated head to fall out of a long lost boat down there. Believe me I would rather swim The English Channel than swim in that lake again.

Well the flags are out, which means Ramsey Week is definitely on it's way. The belly dancers are concerning me. Lots of male volunteers, but no females found. It is the Isle of Man Afterall.

By the way, those cartoons of Barker's that were all over my floor, stopping me hoovering. Guess what, two of them will be featured on the Berlin Undergound afterall.

If you want to particpate in skywatch see Jane & 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 Jane & Tom of the fabulous WIGGERS WORLD

A final world. Let' show our support for Tom and Jane and make this an excellent skywatch. It's not a competition. It's a simple premise. It's the one thing we can all share in, the sky. Look up, point, shoot, upload, post, er that's it. You don't have to visit everyone, it's not about who has the most comments, links, ratings. It's just fun. So to the phanton emailer, to Wiggers World BLOG OFF!

WHAT IS RAMSEY WEEK?

Ramsey week occurs round about this time each year and is as it says, a week of events and activities dedicated to the town that bears the name of this blog. This year the dates fall from 5th July to 13th July. After the TT this will be my busiest camera time as there will be something different to photograph daily. Obviously I can't attend all events, but I'll certainly snap were cameras are welcome, not overlapping or when I can attend.

The list is subject to change but basically there are events as diverse as Lifeboat Day, vintage photographic exhibitions, coffee mornings, motorbike displays, plays, fetes, Farmer's Markets, Manx Singing competitions, Classic Car rally and much more. Ramsey Rocks is my favourite, a one nightly event of live music along the harbour, a street party. This year we are supposed to be having not only the bands, but belly dancers. Now that in Ramsey is a sight I'd like to see and most definitely photograph!

This week always tends to be a success. I think it's one of those times when the town lets it hair down and the locals show the fun side of themselves. Good news for me is I won't be the only one with a camera so I can mingle inconspicuosly amongst the revellers, looking out for some lively locals to immortalise, virtually in blogland. So ladies, gents and kiddiwinks, be on your best behaviour, smiles at the ready, I want to show the world Ramsey Rocks!

100th POST. ABC WEDNESDAY - X IS FOR XENODOCHIAL

My 100th post just happened to coincide with ABC Wednseday and one of the hardest letters to work with. I was tempted to have xenophobia aimed squarely at those idiots who email me to tell me stop the blog on the grounds I'm not from Ramsey, but I didn't want to tar perfectly good people with an image, just to illustrate the point. Instead I found this happier pic, from the archives which suited my needs for today.

Xenodochial then? What a funny word! It is according to varied sources an obsolete word, rarely used word, Greek, and/or Southern Hopitality. Xenon of course is Greek for stranger. Xenophobia is the fear of strangers, naturally. But was of this curious little word? Xenodochial literally means friendly and hospitable to strangers. What a fabulous word to sum up The Isle of Man TT Races, Blogging and the CDP community.

The kindness of strangers who have consistantly supported this tiny island blog, encouraged me to continue, emailed me, blog awarded me, linked me, and even put me on the Community favourites list. Fleetingly of course. Again I wouldn't have known this unless one of you hadn't emailed me.

So, in a way X turned out to be a fortuitous letter. Xenodochial is alive and kicking in the blog world, if not in my own home town. Cheers.

Like to join ABC Wednesday? Please got to this link, MRS NESBITT'S PLACE
Mrs Nesbitt is the host for ABC Wednesday, where you can find details for joining, her own ABC shot to comment on and a list of fellow bloggers who are playing today, who would also appreciate your comments.

JULY THEME DAY "NO" SIGNS

July Theme day is the word no featured in signs around the world. I chose this sign as anyone who drops by my blog knows I am a huge wildlife fan. To me "do not disturb" as in no noise, no interefering, no littering, spoke volumes about the nature reserve I frequent daily as it's behind my house, and how it should be treated well and respected. You would think you wouldn't need to have a sign asking people not to drop litter, disturb wildlife and no to any high noise levels but you would be wrong. "Do not disturb" to me, means "no" to the above, but perhaps it isn't a strong enough message. Therefore I would advise a revised sign which clearly uses the word no as it's obviously still the most potent word to make people stop, think and react accordingly.

A high proportion of daily city bloggers around the world are taking part today and would welcome your visit to their particular sign. By the way this is my 99th post, the following day will be my 1ooth. Time flies in the world of blogging. Hope you can stop by for the 1ooth.

Here's the link

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

For me this sign was the most personal and the one I take more notice of than any other sign in my town, which is why I chose it.