ISLE OF MAN TT, SUPERSPORT 1

ABC Wednesday had to be T for TT. Same as post yesterday, a bunch of images , no particular. order. As I've before, said posts all hit and run this week, got to be out and about.

This is the Monday Race, The Supersport 1. Quick who's who in the pics. 73 is local Guy Peter Hounsell who finsihed 42. Next is Chris palmer 14 and Adrian Archibald 13. They finished in this order in 11 and 12TH place respectively. Next Keith Amor, No. 4 who finished third. Following that is John McGuinness No 3 who finshed second. Steve plater is the next image, rider 1o and the eventual winner( Bruce Anstey was disqualified.) Final pic is Michael Dunlop 23 who finished
a respectable 1oth.

No racing today, but it was Ramsey Day. These pics may have to wait until next week as there is more racing tomorrow, the sidecars Pierre( I couldn't do the sat race). Ramsey Day is a fun day of stalls, sprint racing, stunts and kiddies entertainment. A bit of light relief and a day off for the riders. Not the photographers though.

Oh yes, have to say thanks to the magazine photographer who tried to get me into the media enclosure to have better access. He argued the point that I was actually the only one with Ramsey Daily Photo on the shirt and a local. Typical Isle of Man mentality, the answer was no. Laxey Lass, I agree with you about the courier, but it's international magazines that have approached me, never the island, and yes it infuriates me.

I'll get a T.shirt pic sorted at some point. Time for bed.

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.




SUPERSPORT STATS.

1, Steve Plater 1.14.01.07 (122.338mph)
2 John McGuinness 1.14.04.46 (122.245mph)
3Keith Amor 1.14.12.28 (122.030mph)
4, Ryan Farquhar 1.14.14.25 (121.976mph)
5, Ian Lougher, 1.14.15.50 (121.942mph)
6, Gary Johnson 1.14.50.89 (120.981mph)
7, Mark Parrett 1.15.26.86 (120.020mph)
8, Mats Nilsson 1.15.32.16 (119.879mph)
9, Cameron Donald 1.15.33.15 (119.853mph)

ISLE OF MAN TT 2008, SUPERSTOCK RACE

Here are a bunch of images from Monday 02 June 2008 Superstock race. Again in no particular order. Put it this way, I've 175 to sort out so it's going to be a long "day for night." Only two deleted but those 175 left are all on the money. That's only one race too. Haven't even contemplated looking at the afternoon race!

The Winner was No. 6, Cameron Donald. Second place went to No. 3, John McGuinness. Third position was No. 1, Guy Martin. Those three lads are amongst the pics. I was one of the few fortunate ones who actually got McGuinness waving, which was a real crowd pleaser. We didn't get any wheelies today, but maybe later in the week.

A big thanks to the guys down the back alley of Taubman Street( where they were taken) for making a little space for a slight female and her camera. Hustling for position is never pretty, we all want a bite at the photo cherry, and they allowed me space to have mine. I hope you all got the goods too lads.

The T. Shirt now seems to have it's own fanclub and is a life force beyond my control. Being asked if you can have your T.Shirt photographed is well, surreal. Being called Babooshka in the middle of my local high street even more so,especially as the name does not appear on the shirt.

Well, eats shoots and leaves post again. I am going to be a bad blogger this week, but I will be "calling at a blog near you" soon as I can. I will leave you with some stats of todays race.

1, Cameron Donald 1 hour 11 minutes 59.69 secs, 125.776mph
2, John McGuinness 1:12.14.76, 125.338mph
3, Guy Martin 1:12.17.71, 125.253mph
4, Ryan Farquhar 1:12.34.98, 124.756mph
5, Conor Cummins 1:12.40.28, 124.605mph
6, Adrian Archibald 1:13.15.87, 123.596mph
7, Ian Lougher 1:13.33.48, 123.103mph
8, Steve Plater 1:13.40.87, 122.897mph
9, Carl Rennie 1:13.46.81, 122.732mph
10, Daniel Stewart 1:14.13.33, 122.001mph

ODD SHOTS MONDAY- ISLE OF MAN TT SEA OF BIKES

I know it's not one of my usual barmy bird images, but The Isle of Man TT is finally here and that's where I'll be working mostly this week. What though is particuarlly odd about this shot.

Well there are probably more tourists bikes here in this shot, than there are on the whole island the rest of the time. Also, do you notice those white posts in the distance, far left ? They are rugby goal posts. That means the motorbikes you see are actually parked on the rugby pitch. For me this is really wierd to see motorbikes en mass parked on a piece of land that belongs to another sport, especially as I usually photograph Ramsey Rugby here.

Gotta run. Off to the morning races. By the way, I will be wearing the T.shirt I had made with Ramsey Daily Photo on the back, and one of my photos of a rider on the front. You'll know who I am then if I turn up on someone else's photos or the T.V.

Want to join Odd Shots Monday?

Then see KATNEY

THEME DAY - MY CORNER LOCAL SHOP

There seems to be a pattern running throughout the blogs today that "corner shops" are a thing of yesteryear, to be replaced by one stops shops or supermarkets. Even this island has few old fashioned corner shops now. I do however shop at this tiny mall for that most British of things, my "daily newspaper." Everything else I buy online, the supermarket, or go to the biggest town on the island Douglas to purchase goods.

I admire the sentiments behind todays theme, but the sad reality is corner shops are fast becoming a thing of the past. Maybe this kind of day can help stop the march of time and make those of us who still have the local corner shop appreciate it more.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Check out my post yesterday if you are motorbike enthusiast, or know what the TT is.

CAN YOU SPOT THE BIKERS WAVING AT BABOOSHKA?

Here they are then the TT tourists! These images portray a tiny fraction of the thousands of people that are setting foot on the island as I type. It's been building slowly, but this first friday always see the great swelling of numbers.

The images are in no particular order, just a mix to give you a flavour of my town around 6pm friday evening. I took them from 3 different sides of the crossroads at Parliament Square. You can see glimpses of the Swan and Central pubs, the Town Hall and Library and Ray Motors Garage. Compact is a word that comes to mind. For UK readers if I said Ramsey reminds me of Trumpton, they would understand the sentiment. Trumpton was a 70's kids tv show, a tiny town which had all facilities more or less within inches of each other. Not aware of it having Pubs though! That's why I draw the comparision between the two.

This post is a bit of a hit and run. Didn't get to the laptop 'til late so a quick upload, grab a few, quick crop, desaturate and post. They're just to give you an idea what happens to a kind of "Smallsville" town during the biggest even of the year. So did you spot the two bikers (yes two, if you enlarge) waving at me and the Japanese tourist resetting his camera missing all the action. I hope it's gets the setting right before the races or he won't stand a chance.

Collecting the T.Shirt and will be wearing later today. I'll give you all a wave on the T.V if they fim my way

SKYWATCH FRIDAY - RAMSEY ISLE OF MAN

This image looks a little wierd to me. My minds eye keeps telling me this image should be a in portrait mode rather than landscape. It's the tree! Those side branches look like the apex of the tree, not twigs branching out from the trunk. It is the right way up though as you can see by the blackbird perched on one of those branches. Still got the rolling clouds looming over the island, but with optomistic patches of blue sky waiting to burst through. Always the same before the tourists arrive. The Manx Fairies save the best weather for them.

Today the town was inudated with those tourists, here for the Isle of Man TT Motorbike Road Races. You couldn't move down Parliament Street, the main High Street, for Motorbikes and leatherclad bikers with mainly German and Italian accents. Ramsey goes cosmopolitan! I've giving them a chance to settle in before I start waving my camera at them and snapping away for the blog. By the way, I have ordered a custom made T. Shirt to wear during the TT. One of my bike pics on the front and "Ramsey Daily Photo" on the back panel. If this doesn't explain to the locals what I'm doing snapping around Ramsey, then I don't know what will!

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

HOW SAFE WOULD YOUR WASHING BE?

I often write about Ramsey and the Isle of Man in general being a different way of life, a step back in time. I've looked for images that are universal, that reflect this nostalgic image without being overtly sentimental. This is the kind of scene I wanted to depict.

Behind the harbour docks are a series of alleys with rows of terraced houses. No cars or bikes cluttering the roads, nothing to indicate anyone lives along them. Not usually anyway, but this week I was fortunate to spot signs of life. It may not have any locals, but it's definitely their washing hanging out to dry.

You may need to enlarge the image to see it properly, but just behind the plant pot is washing hanging out to dry. I would say it's hanging on something called, from my part of the world, a "clothes horse." It's also refered to as a "maiden " in certain parts of the UK. What would you call it in your part of the world? To me it's something I have never witnessed in my lifetime until I moved to the island, but recall from old '60's British black and white films, which I love. Washing hanging out to dry, in a public area that wil not be stolen. Now how much of a step back in time is that?

Do you ever come across washing left to dry in a public area, a back alley say? Do you do this yourself? Is this image a sign of past times? Like to hear your thoughts again on this one.