Rinda's Photo Scavenger Hunt -

The Scavenger Hunt for 2013 has come to an end - and I haven't posted details of all the photos I did manage - - and I can't even say I am sneaking in "under the radar" with this post as I am too late now! But not to worry - I have put together a page with some collages of most of my photos - and here I have just posted a few that haven't seen the light of day - just so I can point you in the direction of the page.
Item 3 City Hall or similar civic building

This is our Tynwald Building in the capital of the island. Fondly referred to as "The Wedding Cake" it is our Government offices and has recently been re furbished.

Item 19 - A fisherman . We were fortunate enough to come across a Fishing Competition on our day at "The Queenie Festival" - a celebration of all things maritime!

Item 18 - our local hostelry - a restaurant/wine bar serving delicious teas and coffees as well as their regular menus. It's our Friday meeting place - when my former colleagues  and I get together for a couple of hours chat to catch up with each others news.We usually have our celebrations there too - as the staff really "look after us" as we say here!

As always you are most welcome - thank you so much for dropping in.
'til later

Bannaghtyn, J x

Photo Scavenger Hunt 4 - - The Tynwald Topics

Yesterday was rather a special day on the island's calendar as July 5th is Tynwald Day -  Tynwald is our parliament - and they normally meet in Douglas, but today, the Manx National Day they meet in the centre of the island at St John's. There is much going on - a church service, parades, reading of the laws, and lots of ceremony - - Tynwald Fair, music and dance, and the wearing of the Bollan Bane. We usually go for at least an hour or two - - it is pleasant wandering round the stalls, especially on a sunny day and it is the nearest we have to an outdoor market -  - then stopping for lunch to enjoy freshly made sandwiches, tea and home made scones in the St John's Church Hall before going across to the village green to watch the Manx dance groups perform, listen to the traditional music as well as the brass and silver bands.

I hoped to be able to add to my Photo Scavenger Hunt list - - and I wasn't disappointed - so here are a few more pictures to tick off my list, for more details do visit Rinda at Gallo Organico, (you might want to play along too?) - - along with a few others just recording the day. I have put a couple of links in if anyone wants to know a little more about Tynwald - - and it's explained far better than I can do it

I got the above shot on route to Tynwald - - we had to go over the Sloc and then Slieuwhallian and past the ruins of the old lead mines. This is the ruins of the old Engine House Tower and its Chimney

 and above are shots of the Belltower in Purt ny Hinshey

This was my find for item 15 - they are always out in force on Tynwald Day - usually in their white helmets - just like this chap here.

 This photo shows the traditional Manx costume - now only worn by this particular folk dance group. The fabric for the gentleman's trousers is woven from LaoghtanWool - and this soft honey brown is its natural colour. It is a very soft yarn and the sheep are classed as a rare breed - and have four horns, though  there do seem to be plenty on the island still.

A Manxman in his kilt and a Manx Lady in her kilt and "weskit" - - the Manx tartan is meant to  represent our island - all the colours in it have meaning - the blue for the sea and the sky, the green of the fields, yellow for the gorse, a touch of purple for the heather and white for the cottages. It is made here at Laxey Woollen Mills and kilts are often worn at weddings by the Groom and the other gentlemen of the wedding party. I am adding these to number 22 on Rinda's list  - I may need to swap one of the items - - and also for me they do represent our island as they are all wearing the Bollan Bane as well. Although its not on the list I have added a photo and explanation that are always in the Manx Homecomers Tent on Tynwald Day.

It was a lovely day to be out and about and I was pleased with my Scavenger Hunt finds.

Thanks for dropping in.
'til later

Bannaghtyn, J x

Sunday Snaps - Photo Scavenger Hunt 3

Welcome, welcome - - My decision to join in with Rinda's Summer Photo Scavenger Hunt - full details can be found here - - is getting me out and about, locally anyway - and I have a couple more photos to share.
No 4 - Airplane

A trip past the airport was quite helpful to get this shot from the top deck of the local bus. Our airport is small - and we have more small and/or private planes visible than the larger jets - - though I suspect they will seem very small too, especially to those of you more used to large city airports!
 No 6 - Someone or Something Taking a Nap

 I couldn't resist this Sleeping Fairy sculpture in one of the gardens I visited today. I have to have a Fairy in this list don't I? After all anyone who has visited my beautiful island home knows how important it is to say Hello - to the Fairies at Fairy Bridge. Our Manx fairies are to be found all over our island - and can be very mischievous if you forget to greet them properly with a "Morriagh Mai".
This weekend has seen a number of villagers opening their private gardens to visitors - 15 very generous families have shared some truly beautiful "Secret Gardens" with those of us who spent a pleasant hour or two in gardens generally hidden away behind walls and gates. I did take my camera out of course in my wanderings!
No 13 - A Fence - take 1

Somehow I expected to find lots of fences to snaffle today on my garden visits - but actually there were very few. Mostly they were what I would refer to as Railings - - however I had to include this next photo - since the Artisan made and fitted them!
No 13 - A Fence - take 2

My final photo for today -
No 14 -  Stained Glass or a Mosaic

This little chap was hiding away in little corner of one of the hidden gardens I visited today - and I couldn't resist him - he had a little friend at the other side of his pot too - which I may share next time I put a few photos together.I am linking this post with Rinda's monthly round up, and hope to have an album on line soon with all the photos so far.
My earlier posts with pics from the hunt can be found here

Thanks for dropping in
'til later

Bannaghtyn, J x

Two More - Photo Scavenger Hunt 2

Welcome, welcome - so nice of you to drop in. I am so glad you called as I have a few more photos to show you. I know you will remember that I am a "Photo Scavenge Hunter" this year, my first time joining in with other photo scavengers around the world - - but just in case you don't, Rinda will give you full details here, at Gallo Organico.
No 9 - Something clearly out of place.

 Had to include this for this item - never seen an Antipodaean flag hanging from a tree on my island before! Positioned there - quite prominently during TT week, as the visitors - bikers I understand -
who had brought their bikes with them for TT were from Down Under as we would say! Chatting to them as they enjoyed the best weather we have had for TT week for some years, they told me they had travelled on their bikes all the way to get here. I did take this photo just before the official start of the hunt this year - but after Rinda had put up the post - I meant to post this with my last post - - but managed to lose it on my PC!! Found it just now - so thought I had better get it added to my list before I lost it again! (Do you lose stuff on your "puter???- or is it just me!) I just didn't think I would be able to capture something more appropriate!
No 10 - A Bench Outside

My second photo today was taken in the Garden of Milntown -- the nearest we have to the wonderful grounds to be found in a traditional English Stately Home. The house is a delightful cafe - - but the gardens are totally wonderful. This bench is tucked away at the back of the walled vegetable garden and everything about this garden makes me feel I have stepped back in time - - even the gardeners have string tied round their trousers just below the knees - - like a Victorian or Edwardian gardener in an illustration from The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgeson Burnett. It is a rather pleasant spot to rest - as many of the plants around it are aromatic.

Thanks for dropping in,
'til later

Bannaghtyn, J x

Sunday Snaps - Photo Scavenger Hunt

 Welcome, welcome - - so nice of you to drop in. In previous years I have often seen posts linking up with Rinda of Gallo Organico, who runs an annual "Photo Scavenger Hunt" - and this year I have decided to join in for myself. I love to tick off anything on a list - don't we all?? So having a list to work with - - very satisfying! Rinda has full details here - and I have added the list to my sidebar to encourage me to keep taking those pictures!
I have made a start - - as I have been out and about a little this last week, so here are my first shots.

No 2 - A Theatre for the Performing Arts

This is our small village theatre. It was converted some 40 years ago from a de-consecrated church, which I believe may have had to to be demolished - to a small theatre auditorium and gallery. It houses a cafe and bar, is home to our local Amateur Dramatic Society - and is host to 3 musical festivals annually; one of which is taking place at the moment and has been running for 39 years  -  The Mannanan Festival. I myself have attended many events at this festival in the 13 years I have lived in the village, and indeed am off to a concert there later this very evening!
No 12 - A Cloud in the Shape of Something

I have done a lot of looking at the clouds to try to tick this off my list - and finally spotted this. To me it just looks like a swooping bird! Anyway I am claiming it as my entry for item 12 on Rinda's list. Are you taking part in the hunt? Please feel free to leave a link in comments - I would love to see what you might have captured in a snapshot.

Thanks for dropping in
'til later

Bannaghtyn, J x