MOONSTRUCK BLUES - SYKWATCH

You want the moon? I'll get you the moon

No not a Blue Moon, but a Blues Moon. In fact It's so well behaved it sits slap bang on those electrical wires nestling in a true blue sky. I know I'm showing you a first here, a cloudless bluest of blue sky. Not a speck of grey, no drizzle, fog, mist. Not even so much as more than a gentle breeze. Very obliging lone bird flew into shot at the right moment too. What can I say! It's always a wonderful life at the festival. Of course the day after it was pis..... I mean persisting down with ocean rain, winds worse than Wuthering Heights and the moon had skedaddled back to undercover of the night. You wanted the moon , I got you the moon, the whole of the moon not dancing but certainly moonstruck.

It's over 'til next year. Do you remember the photos of the musicians and my words being" I haven't a clue who who the guy is" and "anyone want to fill in the Blanks feel free? Well knock me down with a feather! Out of the Blue(s) the saxophonist has left a comment to tell me it was him. So now I know who he and the guitarist are. That would be the deliciously titled "Manx Jazz Kats" and I will be telling you more about them tomorrow. Of course that's if you're good I'll even show you the faces that go with the hands I posted this week. Lots of images all in one post. Spoiling you. Babooshka will be presenting "Manx Jazz Kats" and I know you'll all be thrilled to see them and tell them so, especially you Virginia, Birmingham DP. People, V. I got me some real live people. Poor Manx Jazz Kats. Not sure they are prepared for the worldwide audience on this blog. To sneak a peek click colour below. Makes a change from not being able to photograph the Police with UK Photographic laws. If you are in the UK you need to read that post. See third link.

Sax appeal
Plucking performer
Police framed


Skywatch watchers can be found here. Many thanks to Dot for the inspirational idea, Tom for the first caretaking and the My world gang for looking after skywatch now.

That's all folks!

LAXEY WHEEL

Laxey Wheel, The Lady Isabella(named after the Lieutenant's Governer's wife ot the time) was designed by John Casement in 1854 and used to pump water away from the mines. It still remains the largest working watermill in the world. Now, it's one of the main tourist attractions on the island. The brave, for a small fee can go to the top and survey the land around. I just chose part of the wheel today because I was more interested in the spokes. It struck me that these would probably not be constructed this way now on the grounds of health and safety.

The "Triskelion", the 3 legs of man symbol displayed on the side (not in view but in an earlier post) is the national image of the island and is actually the wrong way round. They forgot to reverse the image when it was transfered and so remains the opposite way round. Incidently you may have seen the 3 legs symbol on another islands flag, that of Sicily. Now you're not so sure if I'm joking when I refer to the "Manx Mafia"

Laxey, is from the Norse word Laxa and means "Salmon River." A normally sedate town the quiet is disrupted(in a good way) once a year for the Laxey Blues festival. Virtually the whole town is turned into a mini Glastonbury, without the mud, and good time is had into the early hours by all as seen by earlier posts this week.

LAXEY BLUES FESTIVAL

Laxey Blues Festival 2008 is no more! As usual, a good time was had by all into the early hours over the weekend. The festival is the pre curser to the TT. This year, celebrating it's 1oth anniversary, although it's such a national institution visitors could be forgiven for assuming the event is older. Attracting international and local musicians it's a must see event for islanders. Held at various venues throughtout the village of Laxey, with the day events free and evening line up priced accordingly, the music extravaganza therefore includes all budgets and ages. If you like rock, blues, a touch of folk, but definately live music, then this is the event for you.

The venues tend to be dark, and can be unforgiving for photographers. I tried a few different shots this year to try and use the darkness, rather than compete with it. Here then is harmonica man from the fabulous "Walter Ego."

LAXEY HEAD

Laxey is a small, picturesque village located on the east side of the Island. It takes it's name from the Norse word for Salmon river 'laxa', due to the tales of great catches. Today Laxey is mainly a residential and tourist area, though in the past it was a thriving mining and fishing village. It's also where the Lady Isabella, Laxey Wheel, the Laxey Blues Festival and photographers wandering aimlessly looking for a suitable subject to snap can be found.

Above is Laxey Head, part of Laxey Bay. It may be a small bay, but it's perfectly formed.