200th POST, RAMSEY DAILY PHOTO.

My 200th post. Not quite what you was expecting was it? In fact I had no planned image, nothing specific, but I found this fun lively image and just couldn't resist it. A contrast to yesterday's arty shot, a colourful image of the fun and games that happen when we have Ramsey Day during the TT. It's also one of the limited images I have of just people, and a lot of you have requested to see some locals, so here they are letting their hair down. I'll try and include more people but it's dfficult in a small private community.

Back to the word for the 100th post Xenodochial


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. Again I wouldn't have known this unless one of you hadn't emailed me.

I have lots of projects ongoing due to the blog, latest being to write an article for a museum to do with a Manx item. This is what I meant about taking a new turn. It's the writing now and the photography combined. Thanks to the North American Manx Association who actually wrote a post about the blog after finding me and introducing me to a whole new audience. Thanks To Dave McMahon for the honours shared for post of the day. Motoaction, Andree for the negotiations with the magazine, and thanks to Karl for the heads up on all the places that I'm being linked too and want to use me, in a nice way obviously

Gary, Marley, Virginia, Knoxville Girl, Scarlet, Laurie, Kelly, Bibi, Brett, Chuck, Louis La Vache, Mrs Nesbitt, Blue, Aileni, Dragonstar, Laxeylass, Mannanan's Cloak, Old Man Lincoln, Lake lady, Jim, Hyde dp, Mr Wigger, Olivier, Angela, Jackie, Eki,Stephen, Crazy Cath, Brad... I could go on. Thank you so much for just the conituned support, shared ideas and for endorsing my reputation on the net as the place to go for images,opinions, advice, wit and perhaps sometimes more than you bargained for. You have made me the blogger I am today. Aha! Now I can blame you lot.

What of the next 200 who knows. Maybe the escaped wallaby, the Manx fairies the odd celebrity. As you have discovered, Ramsey is a weird and wonderful place and I'll capture the Manx spirit for the blog.

Tarra,

B

MONOCHROME ODDSHOTS - HANDS OFF IT'S MY BALL

This image will not be to everyone's taste, but I know some of you out there will get a kick out of it, the arty sport shot. A combined theme shot again. Obviously it's black and white, so that covers the monochrome and hopefully the odd part of the shot speaks for itself. Needless to say this is personally one of my favourite images to date I've posted.

I'm working on a a couple of Ramsey related projects at the moment that are going to be a little time consuming so my blog visits time may be limited. I am on the verge of a turning point professionally and need to concentrate on a few Ramsey related projects that will need my fullest attention. I may also have to curb my advice, ideas and help for a while too and it's time to follow up on some suggestions and offers I have had recently concerning my work. You may also notice the images have reverted back to a smaller size. This is simply to protect them from being used by others without my permission. I know this all sounds a little cloak and dagger but the blog is a work in progress, my words, my ideas, my images about Ramsey are to be used at my discretion, not for others to take the credit. Ramsey is my town, this is my blog.

On a lighter note tomorrow Tue. 7th Oct. will be my 200th post. Join me for an ideas session of things you'd like to know about Ramsey or links you'd like. There is so much more to show you but sometimes when you walk past something everyday you may not think to photograph it. The beach, the park, the shops, the pubs, the Manx signs, the churches, I could go on. So today, just comments on this image. Tomorrow your ideas and comments on the next 200 posts would be welcome and appreciated.


One for Ramsey residents, a message. Dig out those electric blankets for testing soon. It's free remember to have them tested but priceless for peace of mind.

IS THIS THE MODDEY DOO OR A WIZARD? - CRITTERS SUNDAY

Is this the Moddey Doo, the strange mythical dog that legend has it scared a soldier to death and haunts Peel Castle? No it can't be! I don't think the Moddey Doo ever visits Ramsey. I know someone magical who is though!

The Moddey Doo was covered in a post earlier in the week. In a nutshell it's a mythical black dog that scared a soldier to death and haunts Peel Castle. If you put the words " Moddey Doo in the search box at the top of the page it will take you to the post for the full story. I just couldn't resist posting this image as the poor low light intensified the black coat, and merged his featured making him look a little haunting. Don't know who's it is but it's gorgeous.

So who or what is in or about to be in Ramsey? The escaped wallaby possibly and Manx fairies always in hiding, so no not them. Apparently we do have a film crew and a wizard though. Well an actor who played a Wizard. Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter film series will be in the up coming film WILD TARGET . The Isle of Man I have mentioned before is often used as a film location. For a full list of films see the ISLE OF MAN FILM INDUSTRY . See how many films you've seen that you never knew had an Isle Of Man Connection.

If anyone decides to make a film about the Moddey Doo can they contact me first. I know the perfect dog to cast! I've already taken his portfolio photo.

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

"TRAA DY LIOOAR" IS A TAXING MATTER

A small group of people on the Isle of Man have just dropped their coffee, croissant, bacon butty, or whatever their preferred choice of breakfast is, why? They are the ones who understand the title and have just realised there is something they haven't done yet. Don't worry that's what this gentle reminder of a post is for. I will explain to our non Manx readers.

"Traa dy liooar" means "time enough." It's one of the first Manx saying you learn when you arrive. The pace of life is slower here and this saying is a gentle reminder, an affirmation of that fact. Why tear around? It isn't city life! Things will get done. Pour yourself a coffee, take a break, rest a while then do what needs to be done. If it's Friday night and the business you need to contact is not open again until Monday, why worry. It takes a while to get used to, but it certainly is a lot more relaxing than the stressful breakneck speed of like in the UK.

Speaking of Monday, this Monday 6th October that's the cut off date for our tax forms to be in.
Hence the dropped bacon butties. Time enough, now becomes needs to be done. Really need to.
We complete our own tax returns yearly here. We've had months to get them in, but with "Traa dy liooar," over it's one of those chores that has a definite deadline. So there's you gentle reminder to those stragglers. You have the weekend to complete them and the Tax Office will be open at 8.am on Monday for those who will be working, you can drop your forms in before you start work, otherwise it's a £50 fine for late returns.

I hope that didn't scare you too much over your cornflakes. To balance the tone of the text we have Ramsey Beach. There will be time enough to walk the dog, play with the kids or just look across to the UK and be thankful you aren't rushing around. You may spot the odd passing seal,
practise your photography, or just sit and watch the waves lapping or crashing against the shore, but not until you've settled your tax affairs. I promise the beach will still be there.

Do you have to complete the dreaded tax returns in your part of the world and do you have a quaint saying like Traa dy Liooar?

RHUMSAA, ELLAN VANNIN SKYWATCH

 Don't recognise the language in the title. Actually it's three languages. What it says is "Ramsey, Isle of Man skywatch." 

Elllan Vannin is quite simply the Isle of Man in Manx. Ellan Vannin though is not just the Manx name of the island. It's name is attached to pubs, hotels, ships, gaelic football many things in fact, but most famously a poem/song by Eliza Green.

Ellan Vannin is also the unofficial National Anthem of the Isle Of Man, the peoples choice. Ever heard of the Bee Gees? Yes they were born here and recorded a version of the Song with slightly alternative lyrics. If you click the words BEE GEES the song will magically appear on You Tube.

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

PARLIAMENT STREET, RAMSEY. WANT TO BUY A SHOP?

Gary and I had some chores to do down Parliament Street. Gary hasn't ventured to the far side of the high street for awhile and was surprised at the amount of empty property, namely shops. I had kept him informed, but reality really hit home when he saw it, the vacant properties for himself.

This is one of many building along Parliament Street, Ramsey that is currently up for sale. Parliament Street is the main high street of Ramsey, where the majority of shops, pubs banks etc are. This is the top half. The underneath used to be a computer shop. It's been on the market now for quite a few months. As you can see this is what you would call "Prime Real Estate. " It's central for starters. Near the Post office, opposite cashpoints, the Police station etc. I mean this is prime for a flat conversion and retail outlet underneath. So any budding business types out there, forget Douglas, come to Ramsey. If you could make it an Italian restaurant that would be perfect. Failing that a decent Greengrocers full of local produce.

Today we counted 6 empty shops. More soon possibly. There is a meeting to be held to discuss the situation in Ramsey concerning the retail economy. I mentioned the shop situation before to the powers that be that may stop by the blog. I ask again. New hotels and apartments are a fabulous idea in theory. Without retail outlets for tourists and locals to shop, eat, bank in tourists will not check in those hotels, and residents will not reside in new apartments they can't afford as their shop job in Ramsey no longer exists to pay the mortgage. Don't let Ramsey go under with the current financial climate.

I was sheltering in the doorway of another empty shop to take this as it was raining, hence the grainy quality. Of course I totally planned the intense blackest of birds to fly into shot against the light building. Ok, it was our old friend serendipity again flying past. Not the cheeriest or wittiest of posts but I want my voice heard, and that of other Ramsey residents who echo my thoughts. Ramsey is in the process of regeneration, but the cash has to go into the right ventures for it to survive. If you're a resident who follows this blog please have your say, even anonymously. It's our town and we want, no need it to survive in order to flourish.

THEME DAY LINES AND ABC - KEEKAL AND KIBBINAGH

The October theme days is lines. and many cdp bloggers will be joining in. No doubt we will all interpret the genre in different ways, some lateral some abstract. It is also ABC Wednesday so again I have combined the two themes.

This is part of The Laxey Wheel, in Laxey of course, not Ramsey, which I have covered in previous posts, is the largest working water wheel in the world, built in 1854. This part of the wheel features many shapes, textures and interjecting rods of metal and wood creating for me several varied layered lines.

Two Manx words for you.

Keekal - means peeping
Kibbinagh - means spiked

The lines I thought were both spiked and peeping out from behind each layer. Many words begin with K in the Manx Language, but these suited the lines theme best.

To view thumbnails of other participants to the theme, view the CDPB portal

Try and visit someone you've never visited before. It's the ideal day to do it.

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