Ramsey Problem Site made Smart

For years the corner of Parliament Street\East Street has lain derelict. The properties had been sold for redevelopment but nothing happened. In 2005 the buildings became unsafe and were demolished. Hoardings were later erected and then painted. In 2008 paintings celebrating Ramsey and marking the 100th anniversary (and Closure) of Albert Road School were added.
There have been plans for a hotel on the site, but they appear to have been delayed by the global banking crises/economic uncertainty.
The former Cusha Building next door was demolished in the middle of May 2009 and at the end of May the whole area was leveled and laid to grass.
Well done to all concerned.

Floral Ramsey - Parliament Street 2009

This is my walk down Parliament Street in the rain video.

Take Time Peel Video

This is the video of my walk in Peel

Electric Cars Video

Chester Street Multistory Douglas

Floral Ramsey Glorious In Rain

A visit to Ramsey today, unusually it was raining, but the flowers were still magnificent. When I get the editing done there should be a video. I was very wet, but the pictures seem fine. The former Edna Moore/Cusha site has been very well grassed over, paths and park benches added. It is a great improvement. I guess the town will have to wait for the new development for some time yet.
I stepped into the Town Hall and could not resist recording the Chess Men, which I gather is by Amanda Barton, well worth a visit to Ramsey just to take a few minutes to watch the match in progress.

Former Railway Line Mirk Michael 2007

This is a picture of the old railway line footpath in Kirk Michael taken before the Isle of Man Water Authority's contractors dug everything up to lay a new water main for Peel. The work took place in the first half of 2002. Wildlife is slowly returning, but the path is more walker friendly (so far) because the vegetation has been cut. In this short section previously nothing was done.

Peel 17th July 2009

It was a dull July day, not at all summery, rain seemed imminent. I visited Peel, Isle of Man and took a walk down to the harbour and then along by way of the old railway line by the side of the river. This is an advertised footpath. I was disappointed. Now I know that the first part passes through an industrial area but there was no footpath, the road was in a terrible condition and there was a general air of untidiness. Further along there was a lot of overgrown grass. I didn't get too far, I had spent so much time taking picture and video that I was late for my hot chocolate at Duncan's Diner - highly recommended.
On the good side I passed some gardens full of vegetables, including one grown in fish boxes, these looked really good. Devereaux's fish shop and Moore's Kipper house both looked inviting.

From Peel 17th July 2009

From Peel 17th July 2009

From Peel 17th July 2009

From Peel 17th July 2009

Flowers Spring In Ramsey

March seems a long time ago - the summer flowers are in full bloom now. I hope to get there and take some pictures.

Blogger seems to have a slight difference with my embedded videos. What I did to get it working was to edit the final /> to >< / embed > I have added spaces to get it to display here.

Douglas Patches

Douglas Re-charging Electric Cars

So there are now two dedicated charging points in Chester Street Car Park for users of electric cars. It is a good start,but I wonder what will happen if the island gets more than two electric cars (at least if they both want to be in Douglas on the same day)?Here is a link to the
video

Creagneash and The Howe Flowers Video

The 2009 flower festival is now long over, but this short video will hopefully bring back a few memories. It attempts to capture something of displays, but nothing can compare with being there in person. The Video is marked as part 1, not sure yet if there will be a part 2. I was going to upload to Manxtube, but the connection was lost twice.
Have been in Douglas looking at life in the Capital and that has given more material to work on.

Beach Erosion Kirk Michael

The sea is powerful, the devastation total, even if it takes a long time.
This was the scene on the beach at Glen Wyllin, Kirk Michael Isle of Man on 2nd January 2008. The debris is the outfall from the trout hatchery. Because the enterprise is privatly operated the Isle of Man government have not put boulders on the shore for protection. At the time the work was done in the lower picture (1990 from memory) the cost was less than £1000 per meter.

Slideshow of Isle of Man Photos

You will find the photos on Picasaweb I guess the albums display in date order, with the most recent shown first. That means there is a lot of Manx Flower Festival 2009 photos as this is posted.

Ramsey Isle of Man January 2009

Take a walk around Ramsey, Isle of Man. Notice the Albert Road School building sitting empty, waiting for a decision on future use.

March flowers in Ramsey

The hard work is worth the effort, Ramsey Isle of Man
I am having trouble getting embedded videos from Manxtube to work.

Here is a view of Peel, Isle of Man, Harbour, from 2006, before the floating pontoons were installed.

From Peel in the Sun

Just One Manks View

Look around the Isle of Man, some things have always been there, others change. Everything has a place and it all deserves to be recorded. In a very small way that is all I have been trying to do with a few videos. I try to be positive and helpful, but also honest. I am just a bystander who sees things from one point of view. You can view my videos on www.manxtube.com/manksview

This is the scene in Castletown when the Callows Yard redevelopment was underway. Life was very difficult for existing traders. Great project, now it is finished.