WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING

Tried to join Sky Watcy Friday Tonight. What a travesty that was. I can't import the widget. Tried every which way round I can, but the bloody thing is having none of it. Signed up to the linky link thing(no it really is called that), did the old copy and paste, chose all the right components etc an no, still won't bloody appear. This is bad omen for tomorrow.

I would be feeling a grumpy bunny about the above but far more important things to concern me. No am feeling all fluffy bunnykins, very excitable as my beloved West Bromwich Albion are off to Wembley tomorrow to play against some crappy team, in the semi final of the F. A Cup.

The Barker has already decided he would rather do the weekend shopping than watch this particular football match with me. He can't stand the shrieking, the flinging myself at the T. V., the constant swearing, the cheering or the tantrums depending on the result. I haven't exactly got what you call poker face. I do go a bit wild, but in my lifetime W.B.A HAVEN'T WON ANYTHING. Now, they had my pocket money for entrance fees when I was younger. I gave up dates, shopping, visits to my nan to support this bloody team. They owe me. Despite my trials and tribulations I am the eternal ( but extremely cynical) optimist so I have a dream, it's coming home and for once we will know what we're doing.

This then is my 1st official sky watch pic. Not sure about it yet myself, but uploaded it anyway as it's as fresh as a daisy., a newborn babe of a pic called painted sky. Ah.

WALLABY WATCH!

Travelled to a parallel universe, where, I rule, W. B. A have won the cup, widgets work, and Martin Luther King is alive and well and living the dream.

BERK IN A MERC PART 2(OR I'M A CELEBRITY GET ME OUT OF THESE CHARGES!)

OK. It's saturday, the southern comfort is out( well out the bottle but wending it's merry little way into merry little me) and I'm about to publish a post that contains a less than flattering image of a Top Gear presenter, that Barker has just rattled off the pen.

Naughty, naughty, very naughty Jeremy Clarkson. Well it seems he's not so naughty afterall. Well as a celebrity( an Isle of Man resident too) he's deemed a good boy. The rest of us of course would be hung drawn and quartered for using a moblie/cell phone whilst driving, not a hands free one. I'm talking about an all singing all dancing hold me tightly buddy while I bark down the line at you phone with one hand only on the wheel one. Ooh the nerve!

After the Daily Mirror printed a photograph taken by fellow drivers, clearly showing him holding the phone whilst driving, he was questioned by the police. Guess what.?The police have said there is not enough evidence to prosecute. Translation of this means- "There is plenty of photographic evidence, but as Mr Clarkson is a celebrity, and not a member of the great unwashed general public, shall we just er forget about it, along with Kate Moss and Pete Doherty's litte cocaine habits."

So egged on by Babooshka, Barker duly knocked up this little satirical cartoon, which egged on by Barker I have uploaded. Oh dear.

Oh, the anti photoblog photo. It's a TT one, from 2006. Pierre mentioning sidecars made me think about theses pics. Back to the pic(going off at far too many tangents tonight). The rider is Adrian Archibald. Don't attempt to photograph whizzing motorbikes at well over a hundred unless you have a decent speed setting on your camera. Try and keep the ISO low 200 to 4OO. Blah Blah. Sorry drifting into photo tip nonsense, that's the other blog.

WALLABY WATCH!

Has been arrested on grounds of being drunk and disorderly, but sure gis celebrity status here in this blog means he will not be prosecuted.

SHOPRITE, HOW IRONIC

The killer cones have somewhat disappeared. Obviously they have all been rounded up, those without permits sent back to the mainland, or in fact from Planet Coneworld their natural home, either way we are cone free.

Been quite a blue sky day, after the initial drizzly start. Spent some quality time with the camera. Had to spoil it somehow, shopping.

Shoprite is the local supermarket, but as of today I shall refer to it as Shopshite. Since christmas they seemed not have bothered to keep a rolling stock. By monday basics like coffee, bread and milk have gone by lunchtime, not to be replenished until thursday. Hello, Shopshite, these are staple products! You buy bread and milk locally, in fact Ramsey Bakery is directly opposite, so no excuses about transportation. No ferries cancelled due to a raindrop, or no flights delayed due to a butterfly flapping his wings twice. While i'm on the subject, why the hike in prices on these items( and locally produced meat)? No excuses about , The Budget, global wheat shortage, or the farmers are getting a bigger cut. Just not true, not here anyway.

Stock up, shape up, stop massaging the prices several times a week. We have this marvellous new invention now called the internet and guess what we have a hotline to Tesco's online home delivery.

Another pic of Mooragh lake, Mooragh Park. Taken this shot several times before, but always best when the water is breeze free, gives the lake a glassy sheen with perfect reflectons. I refer to these houses as the Dolls houses, if you look closely they are all pastel shades, and superbly twee. Please don't be offended if you live there, it's called a compliment, albiet in an ironic way.

WALLABY WATCH!

Still searching the shelves at shopshite for a pint of milk.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO DOUGLAS(EXCEPT WHEN THEY ARE CLOSED)

There are basically 3 roads to Douglas, the capitol of the island. The mountain road, the coastal road and the all the bloody way round Peel and every Hillbilly, Hammer Horror, One Horse town in between road. Obviously the last is to be avoided like the plague, unless of course you are a tourist, then it's called the scenic route.

So today i need to go to Douglas, and of course the bus has the monumental decision, mountain or coast. Two drops of rain, means the mountains out and the coast is in. So far so good, until we get to Laxey, then it's attack of the Killer Cones. I swear there are more cones on the island than people. Where do they live when not in use. Are they imported from across, and if so do they have a work permit. Cones that haven't lived here for 5 years, or not Manx born cones would need a work permit, so i suspect they are here illegally as work permits aren't issued willy nilly.

I digress( me never). It's that time of year again, just before the Laxey blues festival, and The TT Road Races shortly after, the powers that be who control the finances, re surface the roads and cause utter chaos. Why? Each year at this time, just before the tax year ends, they need to spend the excess money left, otherwise they won't receive the same budget again, but receive a lesser budget instead. So good financial planning isn't rewarded, the roads have money wasted on them that should go to say, ooh lets be radical HOUSING, EDUCATION, HEALTH and a whole island transport system comes to a standstill. Uk mainland is just as guilty.

Today the photo is the "Seal In Peel." It's so fresh, I've not even uploaded it to my serious, sales sites. Peel is great place for seals as they come right up to the shoreline where the fishermen are to compete with them for the fish. Yes the sea really is that green there, and even I am swoon over it.

WALLABY WATCH!

Found my other blog quite sedate, and is returning if he can fight off those killer cones hampering his route.

CASTLETOWN QUAY. GENE HUNT WAS HERE.

What is happening to the Isle Of Man Celebrities at the moment.?Is there something in the water? Too many Manx kippers? Or have they just not said hello to the fairy folk when they go over The Fairy Bridge. Whatever it is they do seem to be getting themselves into trouble. Re my post yesterday "Berk In The Merc" aka Jeremy Clarkson being a naughty boy and using his mobile whilst driving. It now transpires that he may actually be prosecuted!

Castletown is situated at the lower end of the island, a beautiful little town that often features in TV and film. One of these of note was the short lived "Island At War." A drama that concentrated on the occupation of the Channel Islands by the German Army during World War 11. The Isle Of Man doubled for the Channel Islands mainly as Castletown, unchanged over the years bore a close resemblance to The Channels Islands during WW11 and of course the tax breaks films and TV get here. Locals were used as extras and locals old cars were also used. Some shop windows even have old money price lists still displayed which were used in the series.

The series proved more popular in America than here and never reached it's conclusion for varying reasons, the death of the writer, actor commitments, and it's popularity waning in the UK. Philip Glenister was one of the actors playing a German Officer, better known now of course as the wonderful character "Gene Hunt"of "Ashes to Ashes" and "Life On Mars."

Todays Pic is Castletown Quay, which i'm sure you had worked out by now. Always better to capture on a sunny day as it really brings out the blue hues of the water.Gene Hunt has long gone though. Jeremy Clarkson you might see though, possibly on foot if he gets a driving ban.

WALLABY WATCH!

He has joined the Resistance and stowing away on one of those boats pictured.

KATHY BURKE, LEE EVANS, AND RAMSEY SWING BRIDGE?

So what do Kathy Burke, Lee Evans and Ramsey Swing Bridge have in common? A film call called the Martins. The film, The Martins was filmed on location in England and the Isle of Man. For once the Isle of Man isn't doubling as a different location, and is central to the plot. The bridge itself is can be seen quite cleary in a key scene behind the two main actors arguing on the harbour.

The Isle of Man has become something of a must for film makers. Many a Hollywood star and Britains finest, are to be found here filmimg anything from, "Keeping Mom" to "Waking Ned." Locals often appear as extras, and the stunning location certainly takes centre stage. Where else would you get Alec Baldwin to be"Mr Conductor" in "Thomas and The Magic Railroad?"You have to see it to believe it.

For a full list of Isle of Man films the Film Boards Link Is already on the right and link today is to IMDB where you can check out Isle of man film links you never knew exsisted.

Extra link Zen Comix. Check out if you like quick fire cartoon humour.


Amy Whinehouse poll still ongoing. Seems you want to stick her back in rehab.

WALLABY WATCH!

No sighting, but the Manx Big Wild Cat has been spotted.

LUMINOUS PEBBLES IN THE ISLE OF MAN?

Hi all. As you will have noticed the blog has been quiet for a few days. All I have to say in my defence is trip to Blackpool and Fleetwood seemed like a good idea at the time and there are no pcs in pubs.

Todays pic. is basically pebbles on a beach which have been photoshopped to give the luminous glow, almost radioactive feel to them. An exmaple at it's simplest of what can be achieved with slight manipulation. Whenever I sell an image that I have manipulated I always state this clearly in the image blurb, therefore not misleading the customer.

The Isle of Man is enjoying it's best weather so far this year, which is good for all those outdoor events. It's also good for the film industry. If you look closely, just outside Ramsey you may see a film crew in a field.Look closer you may even see a wallaby

Todays link is the official film industry page, where you can check on current and old I.O.M films and forthcomming events.

WALLABY WATCH!

No official sighting, but lots of views around fri night around pub closing again!

LOU REED, WAITING FOR THE MAN.

We may or not have escaped wallabies, but we do have Pop Icons visiting these shores.
Here is Lou Reed, taking a " Walk on The Wild side"(sorry, couldn't resist the pun) at the Villa Marina Douglas 2006. This concert was held during the TT road races fortnight.


The other top attraction that week was Alice Cooper, which also went down well.


The Lou Reed Concert was outstanding considering all the songs bar one were unfamiliar as they were all relatively new. Shouts and requests for the obligatory "Walk on the wild side" and "Perfect day" were ignored but we were treated to "White light, white heat". The man himself may have been taciturn but the music more than made up for this.

The music scene in general is bustling and brimmimg with new and old talent, local and international, on any night in at any venue. The Villa Marina is now a mainstay on the concert circuit for established bands, with the pubs highlighting local talent.

Todays link is for my own photobox gallery, where over 30 photos of the Lou Reed concert can be found and bought along with other examples of my work.

Wallaby Watch.
No sighting today. Have you seen it? Let me know.

J.

RAMSEY SUNSET.

"Red Fire Sunset" taken near Ramsey Harbour looking towards Mooragh Park. A chance shot as the light was fading enhanced the red and pink tones against the skyline of darkened scaffolding and buildings along the quay. Earlier the tones had been gold and orange, also photographed.

I find that Ramsey is the best for sunrises and Peel for sunsets but each photographer will tell you somewhere different.

Ramsey is the second largest town on the island and has it's own "National Ramsey Week." From the "Ramsey Rocks" Concerts along the quay to the quizzes and competitions, something for all can be found in Rhumsaa( to give it it's manx name)or Ramsey if you prefer.

Link on the left will provide more informationa a programme of events for National Ramsey Week.

"WALLABY WATCH! "

It appears rumours of the escaped wallaby roaming around the outskirts of Ramsey are not a myth! Spoken now to several people who have witnessed the Wallaby. All claim to be sober at the time.Have you seen how many pubs there are in Ramsey, and just how close together. Think the wallaby may have been accompanied by his friends the pink elephant and flying pig.Will delve deeper into "Wallaby Watch"

GOLDFINCH SAVED!

We don't get squirrels or foxes on The Isle of Man, but we do get plenty of shore and garden birds.

This little goldfinch flew into the patio windows of our house and was dazed and confused for about 3 hours. Sat with him until he came round, didn't want any cats or sparrowhawks to spot him. Eventually he flew off, but not before i could take a few pics of him. Too good an opportunity to miss.

The island is a favourite with birdwatchers, and animals lovers.

Quite often you will spot the odd escaped pelican from the wildlife park, the choughs(pronounced chuffs) which are red legged crows to the seals which are dotted about the coast.The seals often come right into peel, almost on the beach!

Link added today is to the "Isle of Man birding site." Great site for birdwatchers and photographers. Take a look at the guest pics and you will spot mine. Anyone who has taken a pic of a bird on the island can submit a pic, including tourists.

LAXEY HEAD

Laxey Head taken from Laxey Beach late afternoon.

Laxey comes form the Norse Lac-saa meaning "salmon river."

Laxey is home to the yearly "Laxey Blues festival," which is celebrating it's 10th event this year.
For confirmation of dates and artists playing this year see the link, "Bushy's Wheel Blues Festival."

A good tip is to check out the smaller venues and pubs at the festival during the day as these tend to be free, and an ideal taster for the evening events.

JOHN MCGUINNESS, TT 2006

John McGuinness leaving Parliament Square, Ramsey Senior Race, TT 2006. This was John's record breaking lap, and one of my most sold photographs.

For great TT shots of bikes leaving the ground, head for Ballaugh Bridge. Riders have to slow down and take the jump at the bridge.

Todays link will interest anyone coming to the TT 2008, The Isle Of Man TT Official Site. All latest news and what to look forward to can be found here.

RAMSEY RUGBY

Photograph of Ramsey rugby second team, formerly, Ramsey Spaniards. This was taken at a home game in Ramsey on the Mooragh, along side Ramsey promenade, Mooragh Park,with the mountains behind out of view. Sorry to say we lost.

The Isle of Man Tynwald is the oldest Parliament in the world.

Todays link is "cloudedyellow", the home website of "Gary Barker" the BBC Politics Show Website Cartoonist. Check out both links, view the cartoons, leave a comment.

MOORAGH TWIGHLIGHT

Photo today is entitled "Mooragh Twighlight."Image taken at Mooragh Park, Ramsey Isle of Man on a warm summer evening. An unusual tree that just had to be photographed.

The Isle of Man is home to the oldest motorcycle road races, known as the TT(Tourist Trophey) which celebrated it's 100 years in 2007.

DAILY PHOTO -- WHITE ON BLACK

I will be displaying a photo daily
This is entitled "White On Black"

Todays news. Did you know Burt Reynolds is filming in the Isle Of Man?

HELLO FROM THE ISLE OF MAN

Hi All,

Welcome to my blog where i will be displaying my Isle of Man pics, news, updates, photography tips, a photo a day,links to other sites etc you may find interesting.

J