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 Following on from " Hop Ta Naa" the Isle of Man celebration that is now intermingled with Halloween I give you "Ginnie The Witch." Alternative spelling of Jinnie can be found too. What do witches have, a black cat of course. This one isn't actually true black if you look closely, but the eyes are true green. Back to Ginnie. Ginne the witch is the "Manx English" version of the Hop Tu Naa from yesterday. Here's the poem. Well two versions of the poem. Just to be typically Manx, why have one just one version. Ginnie The Witch- Hop-tu-Naa
- My mother's gone away
- And she won't be back until the morning
- Jinnie the Witch flew over the house
- To fetch the stick to lather the mouse
- Hop-tu-Naa
- My mother's gone away
- And she won't be back until the morning
- Hop-tu-Naa, Traa-la-laa
Or alonger version - Hop-tu-naa put in a pot
- Hop-tu-naa I scolded me throat
- Hop-tu-naa I met an old woman
- Hop-tu-naa She was baking bonnags
- Hop-tu-naa I asked for a bit
- Hop-tu-naa she gave me a bit
- as big as me big toe
- Hop-tu-naa she dipped it in milk
- Hop-tu-naa she wrapped it in silk
- Hop-tu-naa, Traa la lay
- Jinnie the witch is in you house
- Give me a penny and I'll chase her out
- Hop-tu-naa, Traa la lay
More Manx Madness on Ramsey Daily Photo. The original one. You will always here it here first. For more wonderful camera critters see MISTY DAWN Camera critters and be sure to leave a nice comment for Misty' s own outstanding posts.
 RAMSEY DAILY PHOTO my blog under the guise of BabooshkaI am a photographer, and I er take photographs I upload some of my personal ones for your visual pleasure I pass on practical photography advise and unravel a few photographic myths and mysteries I try to encourage others, at whatever level, with any suggestions at their request only I only leave positive feedback. Why be negative?(see above point) I keep my writing light, whimsical, informative and more importantly my style as I speak naturally. I try to convey Ramsey, warts and all honestly. Mainly it's marvellous, with a smidgen of room for improvement. I try to show the Isle of Man is more than, bikes, cats, and the Finance Industry. I am not a journalist, historian, teacher, or litter monitor, just a resident photographer of Ramsey, Isle of Man. My name is Babooshka, and I have a confession to make. I am a blogger. Thanks so much for all the lovely comments, questions, suggestions for posts, inquiries etc. To the majority out there who understand that I have fabulous sense of humour but none when it comes to litterbugs thanks for joining in the banter, answering trivial or important questions I pose, for joining in the word games. For the many awards, some I will be collecting soon, again thank you. I will pass them on wisely. For understanding that you may not always get my best high res, large file photography, (because I have to sell that) but you will always get something interesting, challenging or one of my soapbox rants about wildlife or litter pics. For understanding that I live in one of the smallest places of the Daily City Photos, so I have a minuscule amount to photograph compared to the luxury of a huge city. At least it makes you far more creative, and has opened my eyes up to my own town. I've made some amazing discoveries and I hope to make many more. Are you still in for the roller coaster ride? Not the post I planned at all or the image. Rocks of Ramsey Beach taken randomly, practise shot for white balance. That's it for the shot today. I am going to say this once. I do not have moderation on my comments because I believe in Free Speech. I upload images and write a few words daily in connection with Ramsey as part of the Daily City Photo. I am not better or no worse than any other blogger. It is not a competition. Either support each other or the system fails, and we let the negative individuals win. No need to comment on the text today. I've had all the support from you before. Just tell me why you blog instead? My ego can share the bloglite, unlike others. Alernatively just make me laugh, this is all too serious. Pesky people out there irking me!
 Ramsey week occurs round about this time each year and is as it says, a week of events and activities dedicated to the town that bears the name of this blog. This year the dates fall from 5th July to 13th July. After the TT this will be my busiest camera time as there will be something different to photograph daily. Obviously I can't attend all events, but I'll certainly snap were cameras are welcome, not overlapping or when I can attend. The list is subject to change but basically there are events as diverse as Lifeboat Day, vintage photographic exhibitions, coffee mornings, motorbike displays, plays, fetes, Farmer's Markets, Manx Singing competitions, Classic Car rally and much more. Ramsey Rocks is my favourite, a one nightly event of live music along the harbour, a street party. This year we are supposed to be having not only the bands, but belly dancers. Now that in Ramsey is a sight I'd like to see and most definitely photograph! This week always tends to be a success. I think it's one of those times when the town lets it hair down and the locals show the fun side of themselves. Good news for me is I won't be the only one with a camera so I can mingle inconspicuosly amongst the revellers, looking out for some lively locals to immortalise, virtually in blogland. So ladies, gents and kiddiwinks, be on your best behaviour, smiles at the ready, I want to show the world Ramsey Rocks!
 GODRED CROVEN The founder of the last dynasty to rule Man and the Isles was Godred Crovan, a son of Harold the Black of 'Ysland' (i.e. Iceland). His origin is obscure, although various conjectures have been made to trace his genealogy. It is, however, certain that he was not a mere adventurer. He derived a considerable amount of support from the Hebrides and he was successful in establishing a dynasty that lasted for two centuries and was never seriously challenged. These circumstances argue that he was in some way related to some of the previous Kings of the Isles. "He first came to notice in 1066, when we find him in conjunction with Godred, son of Sigtrygg, king of man and the Isles at the time, assisting King Harold Hardrada of Norway and Tostig Godwinson, in their invasion of England. The invaders were routed by Harold Godwinson, King of England and a brother of Tostig at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. King Harold of Norway and Tostig were slain. The two Godreds managed to escape to the Isle of Man. King Godred Sigtryggson of Man and the Isles died shortly afterwards and was succeeded by his son Fingal. Godred Crovan seems to to have returned to Iceland, but in 1071 he is in Norway, busily collecting an army to invade the Isle of Man. He received strong naval support from the Hebrides, but for some reason, he met with stubborn opposition in Man. Despite two setbacks, he finally triumphed in battle at Scaefell(Skyhill) Ramsey. So grateful was he to his Hebridean supporters that he gave them a choice of taking possession of the island or plundering it. Eventually the Hebrideans received the South part of the island in close proximity to his own residence; the people of Man were driven into the Northern portion. All accounts agree that Godred Crovan was a powerful ruler: he conquered Dublin and a large part of Leinster: he forbade the Scots on the western seaboard of Scotland to build any vessel requiring more than three bolts in its construction. He was married and left issue, three sons, Lagman, Harold and Olaf. He died of pestilence in Islay in 1087. OLAF 1 Olaf, who succeeded Lagman, was a minor, when King Magnus Barefoot raided Man and the Hebrides. He is variously known as Olaf Klining or Bitling from his small stature or florid complexion. He reigned for some 50 years and brought a long period of peace to the Isles by keeping on good terms with the Kings of Norway, Scotland, England and Ireland. He married Ingibiorg, daughter of Earl Hakon of Orkney by whom he had one son, Godred the Black. Some chroniclers also state that he married Elfrica, daughter of Fergus, Lord of Galloway. He had several illegitimate sons and many daughters, one of whom, Ragnhildis (Raghnaid), married Somerled MacGhillebrighde, regulus of Argyle and progenitor of the great Clan Donald, later to be Lords of the Isles. "Olaf Bitling sailed to Norway at the end of his reign to pay his 'scat' of 10 marks of gold to his superior. In consequence, he was ceremoniously crowned at Trondheim and left his son Godred to be educated in Norway. On his return to Man, he found that the sons of his deceased brother Harold were conspiring to overthrow him. On the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, 1153, Olaf arranged a meeting with the conspirators to consider their claims. Unfortunately Reginald, son of Harold, took advantage of the opportunity to dispatch his uncle with an axe an he was slain in Ramsey. Godred Croven then established the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles after the Battle of Skyhill, Ramsey on his third attempt. Again trying to sift through entries and info concerning anything to do with the events and timelines can be a nightmare, but the above married times, dates, places and names most frequently. It's also the best evidence of Ramsey connections, rather than just generic Isle Of Man. The photo depicts a sculpture by Amanda Barton of Godred Craven and his son Olaf1 playing what is supposed to be an innocent game of chess. Apparently not! Olaf is said to be playing classical chess and Godred playing "merels" a far more aggresive game. An analogy for the old and new powers and times to come and changing landscape. Thanks again to Ramsey Library for permitting me to take photos and the use of older local books.
 For this week "Ramsey Daily Photo" will be known as "Rhumsaa Daily Photo". This is it's Norse name, as Ramsey is one of the many things about the island that bears a Norse name tag. Rhumsaa was named so by the Norse after the wild garlic that grew in abundance around the river and surrounding area. Quite literally it translates as "wild garlic river" and the smell must have been quite pungent. Sadly, no wild garlic now, and garlic of any kind is confined to the shops, that is when they bother to re stock. Again I thought this would be a great idea to enlighten you about the island and as usual I have hit the proverbial Manx brick wall. I am, however indebted to the local library for the Norse literature and Manx conncections, and to the websites that have tried to at least document any Norse connections. With this in mind, I will try and convey a little of the Norse and Viking history to you, starting with this great page of I found, where the dates have been confirmed. The Vikings first set foot on the Isle of Man in the year 798. By 820 they had conquered and settled in the Isle of Man, establishing a prosperous Viking colony that benefited greatly from the trade between Ireland and the Scottish islands.
The Isle of Man had a central location was on the sailing route from Scandinavia to Ireland. With it's excellent fertile agricultural land and good harbours around the coastline, it was an important base not just for raiding and settlement, but also for trading with Scotland and Ireland.
Archaeological evidence confirm the presence of Vikings on Isle of Man. The various findings from burials and settlements and Nordic place names still used creates a fuller picture of Vikings life on the island.
Peel Castle Peel Castle has been a site of religious and secular importance in Isle of Man history.
I 1982 archaeologist began excavating the ruins of the castle to prove the importance and date the many building faces. With the walls is a Round Tower from the 11th century, a cathedral from the 13th century and small apartments from the later Lords of Mann, who ruled on the Island. During the excavations they found seven pagan burrials all located at the later christian cemetry.
One of the most spectacular finds was a buried pagan lady from the Viking Age with an obvious high status in society. The grave had several rich grave goods, including a necklace made of beads. The necklace dates to late 900 AD and consist of 73 beads of glass and amber. The beads are all in different size, shape and colour. The number of beads on the necklace and the variety of them makes this one of the most impressive jewellery finds ever. Faktum: other grave finds from Isle of Man include the boad grave at Balladoole and the burial mount at Gronk Moar. The boat grave dates to 850 - 950 AD and contained a Vikign ship at 11 metres with a burried mand and woman dressed in fine clothing as well as equipment for horse riding, tools and a shield. In the burial mount was a fully dressed man in a coffin with a cloak, knife, sword and a pin for the cloak. Tynwald In 800 AD the Vikings founded Tynwald, the oldest working parliament in the world. This parliament is still in existence on the island today.
Tynwald means open assembly in old Norse and can be linked to similar assemblies on Island (Tingvellir) and the Faroe Islands (Logting). The Tynwald might have been local and regional to begin with and then later developed into one centralized assembly or goverment. These Tynwalds were already in operation before the establisment of Parliamentary Goverment in England.
At Tynwald old laws or rules from the local areas were made official, new laws submitted and punishment were given to law breakers. The myth of Sigurd Great decorated stone crosses with Viking motitfs are today preserved in many parishes on the Isle of Man. These crosses are all dated to the 1000 - 1100 century and their carvings tells stories of Nordic heroes, legends and myths. Four of the stone crosses, from the parishes of Andreas, Jurby, Malew and Maughold, tell the myth of Sigurd. Sigurd grew up in a king's household, but was brought up by the dwarf Regin, who was king's black smith. Sigurd was destined to become a great hero some day. When Sigurd was young Regin told him the story of how The god Loki had killed the great fisherman Ottar. To recompense Ottar's father Hreidmar, the gods made a cover of gold for Ottar to be burried in. But the gold were cursed and Hreidmar was soon killed by his other son Fafni, the serpent dragon. When Sigurd got older he convinced Regin to make him a great sword. He also selected one of the finest horses from the king's stables. Following the advice of Odin, Sigurd set out to find the Fafni's gold. Sigurd dug a pit and hit under some branches, and when Fafni passed by he drove his sword into the monster's belly. He cut out Fafni's heart and roasted it to give to Regin. When touching the meat to see if it was done he burned his fingers. When he sucked the blood, tasting the dragon blood, he could suddenly understand the birds singing. The birds told him that Regin would kill Sigurd, steal the gold and Fafni's wisdom.
Regin couldn't kill Sigurd, but after several years of adventure the curse of the gold took effect, when Sigurd was killed by his own brother Gunnar.
Gunnar stole the gold, but the curse followed him as well and he later died by a snake bite to the heart. The Viking rule ended in 1265 when Isle of Man was handed over to Alexander III of Scotland. Hopefully as the week goes on I can find other bits and pieces of interest, especially for our Norse readers. The photo is of North Barrule which overlooks Rhumsaa. Several meaning have materialised when trying to establish the meaning of Barrule. Barrule it appears comes form the Norse word Vorofjall, Beacons Fell. Quite how it went from one to the other remains subjective. Feel free to chip in. I am open to suggestion. No egos on this blog, but I will ask just for the facts rather than conjecture. I, at least am trying to document the island so others may not find it so hard to glean correct info.
 If you read the header for Ramsey Daily Photo my disclaimer was that this site wouldn't always be pretty sunsets and landscpaes, it would show you the side you don't see in the brochures. An honest representaion. Well, I haven't posted, much of the ugly side but today I'm posting the reality, literally the rubbish side of Manx life. This is someone's litter. The crap that they couldn't be bothered taking home, finding a bin or any kind of suitable recepticle to dispose of their garbage in. Instead they just left it in the worst place of all to me, the place I find most offensive to my sensibilities to dump it, the nature reserve. This is home to birds and wildlife. What happens if they rumage amonsgt this? What happens if your dog or child roots around in this? Who pays the price for the consequences of finding the discarded half full lighters, the beer cans, and who knows what else there is here. I only snapped a fraction of it. It disgusted me so much I had to walk away. Mindless idiots, selfish beyond belief. I am so incensed by this that this post will probably be mostly incoherrant and certainly full of typos. Not a post to be witty and forgive the pun throwaway. I hope YOU who left this read this and I hope you are bloody ashamed of yourself. Is this how you live at home? No. Well don't dump on the home of the non humans around here. I have been told to stop this blog by "manx4manx"( Too cowardly to email me their real name) on the grounds that I am not from Ramsey and it's frivolous. Not the only one , but the most vitriolic. Here you are then a no nonsence, unfunny straight down the line post on the everyday real life of Ramsey. Enjoy!
 Ramsey Daily Photo, and Babooshka have company in the Isle Of Man. Guess what they're also from Ramsey. I want to introduce you to the wondeful world of MANNANANS CLOAKAs you know the other day, I was a little down after the TT and the lack of island interest in my photography, when ironically I have a worldwide following and buying audience. Little did I know there was another island website out there in virtual land. Mannanan's cloak found me, intoduced themselves and I thought I'd take a peek, just to get a flavour. Five mins. turned in to an hour. Couldn't tear myself away. Fascinating stuff. It's a fully comprehensive website jam packed with wonderful items such as lifeboat shouts, pub guides, TT, photo quiz... and well I don't want to reveal all here, when you can hop over and lose yourself for a while virtually on the island. If you click the link for MANNANANS CLOAK you'll be there. It's already a link now on mine, bookmarked and hopefully promoted in todays post. It was really relaxing for me too be the veiwer, rather than the author for a change. All the pleasure without the responsibility. For all you Isle of Man Lovers, I can't recommend it enough. The photo is an archive, as I'm still a little camera fatigued. It's Ramsey Harbour very early one morning when only me and the shore birds were about. I went to photograph sunrises and photographed resting boats instead. It seems to sell mostly as a postcard or greeting card. If you click this link SIMPLY SCENE, IMAGE REVIEWS you can see what I mean about worldwide rather than island recgognition. This might be why it's a good seller. Who am I too judge. My favourites are the ones that sell the least.
 The motorbikes and bikers have waved goodbye to the island for another year so it's back to the business of my bread and butter photography, namely the birds. This is actually an archive one. I had to have a day off from the camera, so I trawled the bird pics and found this one, which is one of my favourites rather than others. I am quite often at odds with the buying public when it comes to my own images. For a change this isn't one of the cute little colourful birdies that are on a kamikaze mission to fly into my patio windows that I nurse back to good health, but a carrion crow I snapped taking a break in Mooragh Park. Quite what fascinated him so much with this tissue is beyond me, but it certainly distracted him long enough for me to capture his likeness. Well my busiest time is over, but Barker's is ongoing. My living room floor is still covered with painting of footballers and politicians. Gordon Brown you are in for a shock today thanks to Barker and his wit and wisdom with paint palette! For more camera critters see MISTY DAWN Camera ctrittrers.
      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 PLACEMrs 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)
  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
  I'm thinking of starting a range of humourous critters greetings cards. What do you think? The humans run away when they see me and my camera. Not so the animals and birds. Almost seem to perform when they see me appear on the horizon. Two minutes earlier these ducks were perfectly happy waddling about. Then in unison, it was heads down for the camera lady. Maybe they weren't performing afterall? Perhaps they were hoping I'd pass them by if they weren't displaying their heads and fine beaks. Don't be silly it's Odd shots Monday and hiding ducks will do just fine. More Isle of Man birds immortalized as greetings cards coming soon. Well it will be if they keep behaving like this! Want to join Odd Shots Monday? Then see KATNEYKatney's Kaboodle is the place to join Odd Shots Monday and see other wierd and wonderful shots from fellow bloggers.
 Say hello to George posing nicely here showing his best side. George is a bit of a celebrity as he escapes from the Wildlife Park, here on the Isle of Man, to Ramsey, usually the promenade, (where this pic was taken) on several occasions. Why he only flies to Ramsey is a mystery, must be good fishing for pelicans. He is not the first escapee pelican, that honour goes to Scotty in '98, and I'm sure he won't be the last. Scotty though made it to Scotalnd, so obviously a more adventurous pelican. Actually I think George just wanted to feature in the Ramsey Daily Photo and was a bit miffed I have photographed so many other birds. He's make a great odd shot sometime. Whole new meaning to a Pelican Crossing! For more camera critters see MISTY DAWN Camera ctrittrers.
 I was going to have a different "P" image, then I spotted the first butterfly of the year, a Painted Lady. Unfortunately I didn't have the macro lens with me, so it was another lie on the ground point and shoot jobs. Now I'm no butterfly expert, so youprhaps you are able to help me out here.? For that reason you won't be getting all the latin names. Take up far too much blog space. I do know the Painted Lady is pretty widespread and found on every continent bar Antartica. I know they vary slightly from continent to continent and there are even sub species. I have read that the American Painted Lady is often refered to as a "Cosmopolitan." Is that true or is it another one of those urban myths that gets lost in translation? Like I said, not an expert in this area, so you tell me on this one. I was also hoping to show you George the pelican that often escapes from the wildlife park and flies here to Ramsey, but he hasn't shown up for a while. If you'd like to join ABC Wednesday please got to this link MRS NESBITT'S PLACEMrs Nesbitt is the host for ABC Wednesday, where you can find details for joining, her own odd shot to comment on and a list of fellow bloggers who are playing today,who you can also comment on. Have fun.
 Unlike a lot of my bird photos this is one I haven't had to save, it's just one that was very obliging and posed nicely for me. No he hasn't had a trip to the taxidermist, he really was that still. I was going to just use Robin for the the title, but then I realised a lot of you wouldn't recognize ths bird. Having seen an American Robin on several of your posts, you can see the two birds differ greatly. The British Robin is easily identifiable by the red flash, therefore, not surprisingly they are also alternatively called Robin Redbrest. A common winter garden visitor with a beautiful birdsong, a British Robin. For more camera critters see MISTY DAWN Camera ctrittrers.
   Riders numbers. Click here to view thumbnails for all participantsAlbuquerque (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 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 What is it with me and birds? Here's what happened. Two herring gulls were fighting in the back garden. I tried to separate them with a broom, the weaker one flew into the house and proceeded to have a mad half hour flying about. Managed to shoo the other one away. By this time the gull above had decided to sit where you see him now. At this point in the proceeding, I just had to take his pic, having texted my other half to tell him we had a gull in the kitchen. Now even for me this seemed in the realms of fantasy, as only so much can happen to one person, as far as birds are concerned, so pictorial evidence was required. Now, getting him out was another challenge in itself. More shooing with brooms until he retreated to the garden , straight behind the oil burner. More problems! He sat there for about 2 hours, came out of his own accord, flew off and left me with a big pile of seagull mess as a parting gift for my trouble. You have no idea how much a scared seagull can pass. It must be me, beacuse I have moved house, even country and the birds still go crazy around me. Want to join Odd Shots Monday? Then see KATNEYKatney's Kaboodle is also the place to join Odd Shots Monday and see other wierd and wonderful shots from fellow bloggers.
I Not quite Sydney Harbour bridge, The Forth Bridge or San Fransico's Golden Gate Bridge is Ramsey's very own Swing Bridge. It's also as close to a cityscape as I can find on the Island. Don't forget we have no skyscrappers, and a much smaller population that run away when I point the camera in their direction. Built in 1892 by the Cleveland Enginneering Company at a cost of £2o,325(what would that be in todays terms?) primarily to transport people to the other side of the harbour, to the newly built housing that had emerged around this time. The bridge is still the main access route across the harbour. At certain times of the day the bridge is closed to cars and pedestrians when it is swung out to allow tall mast boats through. It was also featured in another British Film called The Martins, Staring Lee Evans and Kathy Burke. It's also going to feature heavily in this blog as I never get bored of photographing it.
 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.
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Following on from "Hop Ta Naa" the Isle of Man celebration that is now intermingled with Halloween I give you "Ginnie The Witch." Alternative spelling of Jinnie can be found too. What do witches have, a black cat of course. This one isn't actually true black if you look closely, but the eyes are true green. Back to Ginnie.
