Ramsey Hairpin

                           The Biker View


Ramsey Hairpin, to those familiar with the Isle of man TT Races this will be a familiar view, a sharp turn leaving Ramsey and heading towards the mountain road. When not doubling as a racetrack as you can see it's a suburban sedate road with little traffic apart from "rush hour" commute. It's the Isle of Man. Our rush hour is a little more relaxed. You're more likely to be stuck behind a tractor than a traffic jam. If you can make it across the road in one piece, you'll find woodland walks leading to Albert Tower and a view of the town, which everyone has photographed at some point.


Jane Hards Photography - TT photos

Image part of Our World Tuesday

The Isle of Man TT 2012.....Day 2

The boys are back in town

So, finally after a 40 mins delay with dodgy communication equipment, the long awaited return of the first practice race of the week long races. They actually start, the real races on Saturday. Weather permitting. I add that caveat. I live on a very verdant island, due to heavy rainfall, but please not these two weeks. Thank you, weather Gods, in advance.


Now, I am taking a break tonight and will be found singing karaoke in one of the local Ramsey pubs, I highly recommend, The Royal George. If click those words in red, a magic link will appear to the pub. Unfortunately I can't magic a real pint through the laptop.

THE SWAN, RAMSEY - MY WORLD

Fancy at pint or a pub lunch?

My World

You have heard me mention the Swan Pub before, well here it is. Lots of you have asked to see building on the blog, especially the pubs, and particularly this one as I mention it a lot. Yes this is the other Swan of my world the one I drink in, not the one that flies around the harbour. 

This is where you will often find me on a Friday, sometimes a Wednesday and why the blog always gets updated late. You may recognize this from those TT photographs. I'm standing in exactly the same spot I take those motorbike ones from. Bit quieter as you can see. This is Saturday afternoon too, and you can see how how little traffic there is. In fact I had to wait to capture a car. Just wanted to show you some life in the town other than me and the birds. It's split into two rooms. One the Pool room and yes you can watch football(soccer to some of you) on cable in there. The other side is the lounge. Comfy sofas or you usual tables. You can even get a decent meal full meal or light lunch to go with your classic British pint of beer, larger, spirits or coffee. Lovely strong cup of black coffee.  The British have a thing about quizzes and the Swan is no exception. In fact I used to play for the Swan Pub team in the Ramsey Quiz League. Too busy to now. Geographically this is the pub nearest my house(just out of town in the suburban bit) and that other great British institution the Fish and Chip shop. Handy when cooking is not on the agenda, and it never is on Fridays. 

So not only my world today but all this week, will be a little more down to earth than my normal photos, not so much the pretties. Going for realistic snapshots on the run, dodging traffic and people, and trying to sneak shots of the very heart of the town. So this is the pub you here about I used to be a quiz team member of and stop by for the odd pint or spirit. It's actually more cream than yellow but the dropping sun cast a sunny yellow under poor light conditions. I like this guerrilla style photography of hide shoot and run. Some interesting results. More like city daily photo should be too, just a no frills photo.

Klaus, Imac,  Fishing Guy, Ivar, Tom, Louise, Wren, Sandy and others are to thank for the neme. Click here for more my world's.

Does this look like you thought a pub here would look like?

Babooshka, Ramsey daily photo, http://dailyphotoisleofman.blogspot.com/

THEME DAY NUMBERS

Riders numbers.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants
Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Arradon, France by Alice, Aspen (CO), USA by IamMBB, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Avignon, France by Nathalie, Barrow-in-Furness, UK by Enitharmon, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Bucharest, Romania by Malpraxis, Budapest, Hungary by agrajag, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Busan, Korea South by iamnbinb, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chesapeake Daily Photo (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Chicago (IL), USA by Focused Light, Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Cologne, Germany by April11, Concordia Sagittaria, Italy by Patrizia, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Corsicana (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Dallas (TX), USA by turtle, Darmstadt, Germany by Elsch, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Evry, France by Olivier, Forks (WA), USA by Mary, Geneva (IL), USA by Kelly, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hong Kong, Hong Kong by Rachel A., Hyde, UK by Gerald, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Ioannina, Greece by Christos-Ioanna, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jogjakarta, Indonesia by Jogja Portrait, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Le Guilvinec, France by ds2944, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Mainz, Germany by JB, Malaga, Spain by Paula, Manila, Philippines by Heyokity, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Marseille, France by Alex, Medan, Indonesia by KT, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Melbourne, Australia by John, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minsk, Belarus by Olga, Misawa, Japan by misawa mama, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Montpellier, France by Marie, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Nancy, France by yoshi, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, New York City (NY), USA by • Eliane •, Newport News (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, North Hampton (NH), USA by Amy, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Omsk, Russia by Nataly, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Oslo, Norway by Lothiane, Owasso (OK), USA by Jennifer, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Penang, Malaysia by Maltelda, Perth, Australia by Elevation7, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Cheryl, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Townsend (WA), USA by raf, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Rabaul, Papua New Guinea by Jules, Ramsey, Isle of Man by babooshka, Riga, Latvia by Riga Images, Rollag, Norway by Stormel, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Diego (CA), USA by Zentmrs, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, San Francisco (CA), USA by Louis la Vache, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Seoul, South Korea by Phil, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stanwood (WA), USA by MaryBeth, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Julie, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Tel-Aviv, Israel by Olga, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Glenn, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Vichy, France by Delphsnl, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by Rachel, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,

RAMSEY, PARLIAMENT STREET

The photo above represents the not so picturesque side of Ramsey. It's a majestic buliding that has been sadly empty for some years now. The lower half (not photographed) used to be one of our local shops, but it's the top half I wanted to highlight.

This is the kind of building on the high street that is crying out to be renovated and turned into suitable living accommodation. It would be cheaper than a new building, and a once repainted much easier on the eye. Left empty and neglected for years now, it's rapidly falling into further decline, soon to be beyond repair. So any business out there looking for a retail outlet in Ramsey, with rental accommodation, here it is. Prime location, loads of floor space, easy access need I say more.?As you can see ,this is particular pet hate of mine, but in this I know I am not a lone voice.

On a lighter note, the infestation of traffic cones seems to be dwindling, which must mean we are expecting tourists. So to all those mad bikers out there who are coming here, a warm welcome awaits. Visitors also include the host of yesterdays ABC WEDNESDAY MRS NESBITT and friends of SKYWATCH FRIDAY host Tom and Jane at WIGGERS WORLD

YOUNG CORMORANT, RAMSEY HARBOUR.

The readers of my other blog know I have been determined to photograph the family of elusive cormorants that have made Ramsey home. Well I'm getting there. This young one was the closest I had been. I still had to run the length of the harbour to keep up with him. Much to the locals amusement, it's the mad photographer woman again I hear them cry.Then they too run away before I can capture then. I think It would be easier to find an Isle of Man Mythical Fairy, at Fairy Bridge than it would a local. By the way, should you find yourself on the island, and passing Fairy Bridge, be sure to say hello to the fairies. It's considered bad luck not to, especailly if you are TT rider.

For more camera critters see MISTY DAWN Camera ctrittrers.

RAMSEY PASTELS

Last night's evening sundown, Ramsey along the quay. Thats what you can see in between the lamposts, sail masts.

The weather has improved, it must know we're weeks from the TT Road Races. This year the good news is there will be no 5.am pratise laps. When you live as near to the course as I do, the last thing you need is the not so dulcet sounds of hundreds of motorbikes whizzing past at ferocious speeds that early.

I sympathise with anyone submitting tax declerations this month, so do we here. The Isle of Man, isn't part of the UK, or the Britsh Isles it's a Crown Dependancy. Unlike the UK ,where only self employed people sumbit tax declerations, here, we are responsible for submitting our own. That's explains why the island is full of accountants.

If you want to particpate in skywatch see WIGGERS WORLD.
Only genuine skywaychers need apply. None of your advertising please. This is for enthusiasts only and hosted by Tom WIGGERS WORLD.

PINK BLUSH

Yesterday kept me quite busy with the photography uploads, emails and pc crashing. Island life for you. When things go wrong they do so in tremendous style. Why crash one pc when you can take out an island! The crash was a server issue. Those of you out there who reside on a island will understand my predicament. You really don't want to be around me when I can't get my decent coffee. Cabin Fever!

As everyone knows who reads my other blog, the island has a make- over every April in readines for those TT visitors. The island, much to my consternation, has an infestation of cones. Not tree dwelling cones, but those horrid orange and white pointy plastic ones that guard manhole covers. Single line traffic is the norm through Laxey, Governers Hill closed off completely and Douglas Marina tantalizingly out of reach. Not really what an island photogrpaher needs, no go areas.

So a quick flora photo frm Mooragh Park. It is wait for it, a red "Australian Bottle Brush Plant" (latin - callistemon citrinus splendens). Many thanks Joanne, my gardening expert friend for the correct name.

I will be uploading links to my photo sites as soon as I am assured everything is up and running smoothly(or as smoothly as it can be) again.

My sales sites are

JK HARDS PHOTOGRAPHY

BABOOSHKA 'S PHOTOGRAPHS IMAGEKIND

CLOUDBUSTING

Ramsey has a nature reserve literally at the back of my house. It's a great place for sky photographs, especailly when the clouds are gathering, and a storm is soon to follow.

On the right you will something called the countdown to the Isle Of Man TT Road Races.
TT, stands for Tourist Trophey. The TT is a week long series of Motorbike road races, the week before is practise week. I did say road races. It's the oldest motorbike road race in the world, and last year it celebrated 1oo years and is still as strong as ever.

Word of warning if you do come over for the event. Watch out for Mad Sunday. The public are allowed to ride part of the TT course the bikers take, including Ramsey and the Mountain at whatever speed than can. So don't cross the roads that day unless you really have to.