Open, the new tram tracks

                          Alternative travel


The tram tracks have undergone an update and renovation during the closed winter period. General maintenance and shiny new cables, and paved and painted. A popular way for tourists to view the island, by tram all the way from Ramsey, through Laxey when you can depart for Snaefell Mountian, or continue on to Douglas. It's a long ride, so if you're in a hurry bus or car might be for you, but on a sunny lazy day, a slower ride through the Manx landscape might be the way to go. If you don't mind a bit of a chill sit in the outdoor car, as it's a great vantage point for photography. 

 Jane Hards Photography

Image part of abc

Gladstone Park and Skyhill

                                           The back view


If the postman calls and you're not in, this is where you'll find your postal items, Gladstone Park, the white building in front of the peak in the distance Skyhill. View taken for the bridle path, formerly the train line, Poyll Dooey Nature Reserve. Plans to turn the are into a Supermarket are often rumoured, but so far no extra supermarkets. 


Jane Hards Photography

Nikon D50 about 2007 and the view is still the same.

Cherry Blossom on Parliament Street

                                                                           Spring

A archive from a few years ago on the little point and shoot, taken around this time  of year on the local high street. A few regeneration changes to this area since this captured image, but pale green building is still the Mitre pub and the cherry trees still blossom. You know it's Spring when the blossom arrives. 

Parliament Street, Ramsey, Isle of Man

Jane Hards Photography

Image part of Our World Tuesday

Skyhill, Landscape

                               Greenfields


Skyhill is in the distance, to the left, the large hill in view.  Image taken from the Poyll Dooey Nature reserve, the fielded area. It doesn't always look like this. By that I don't mean the panoramic view, I mean the field is usually awash with green grass not dug up. New housing and drainage accounted for that, for several months pf work. Fortunately not in this area, but out of shot across the Sulby river. New housing and greenfield areas separate. Not everyone wants to live in a place with view like this  but I like it. Drainage works and all.

Jane Hards Photography on facebook

Taken on my old Nikon D50, which stood me in good stead for many years of the blog, mid afternoon, Spring time.


Simonetta

Christmas lights......

                               ........in summer


Taken during the street repairs and regeneration of Parliament Street, what appears to be Christmas lights zig zagging across the night sky. However this is the height of summer.  Unique urban street lighting, or someone forgot to take them down. Fortunately the street repairs have at least been completed. 

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.