Sunday 30th October

The weather this morning was considerably better than yesterday so, Chris and I were out fairly early. First stop, Point of Ayre where I decided to walk around the outside of the lighthouse garden

I was keeping an eye out for fungus as, Chris had seen some yesterday up here - though it was inaccessible. There were a few specimens hidden amongst the gorse for the most part, apart from this one

After walking around the garden, I headed onto the beach to see if any interesting items had been washed up with the recent high winds and tides. There were the usual plastic bottles and (now commonplace) rubber gloves and a few unusual items such as a paint brush,

a shower gel bottle

and a work boot. Now the rubber gloves I can understand getting washed off fishing trawlers but, a boot?

On nearing the car, I met up with Chris again and we decided to head to Ballaghennie hoping for some more activity. Not much in the way of birdlife but, another intact fungus

So, we headed back into Ramsey. Initially we headed for the Grand Island but, there was little beach remaining and no birds on the water so instead headed down to the boat park at the other end of the prom. A short walk around produced a few pictures

This scallop dredger was amongst other fishing implements near to the fuel pumps where the last sale had been for £580!!

I wandered around looking for different angles and saw a couple of different views of the swing bridge

Walking across the swing bridge, I noticed a mirror pointing away from town. Not sure what it is used for but, made for some different and slightly distorted views from the bridge

As we walked up the path on returning home, Chris found a stunned Redwing on the path. It looked as though it had flown into a window. He picked it up and held it gently whilst it came round (and I managed a few pictures) then released it, with probably just a slightly sore head from contact with the window, into the garden.

Saturday 29th October

Prior to Dave arriving this morning, he phoned - never a good sign! What are we going to do today? The weather was wet, grey and windy, not very inviting at all. Dave arrived and we had a coffee whilst we discussed options. BBC weather had promised a short break in the rain around lunchtime so, what to do until then. Eventually we decided to go to the museum at Peel - it had been many years since I'd visited, Dave not at all.

It is quite interesting for a walk around, with a well stocked shop with lots of manx goodies (including the newly released Manx Momopoly with the three legs the wrong way around) but, only managed two pictures, both near the replica of Odin's Raven.

After we left the museum, we drove around to Fenella Beach. It was just 10 minutes until high tide and the waves were crashing over the breakwater

As I was on the headland taking pictures, I noticed some young girls who were entertaining themselves waiting on the road for the waves to crash over the breakwater onto them. They were absolutely soaked

After they had enough of getting wet, I stayed with the camera to see if I could catch any other unfortunates who were walking along

It then started to rain again so, we headed back to the car for lunch

After lunch, we headed to Tynwald waiting for the rain to ease with the thought of going for a walk in Glen Helen. Instead the rain got worse so, we gave up and headed for home. Of course, now home it is slightly sunny with blue skies in places! Ah well, there is always tomorrow.

Sunday 23rd October

This Sunday, Chris and I decided to break with tradition and head out to Peel. He was hoping to see the Sabine's Gull that had been there for the past three days - no luck though. Whilst he was doing that, I went for a wander around the harbour to see if any photo opportunities presented themselves.

A jumble of fishing nets caught my eye. I wouldn't like to be the one tasked with sorting them out from the tangle.

Further down the quay, I saw a number of fishing boats, and lobster pots

A bit early for a pint or lunch but, I was tempted...

Shortly after I met up with Chris and we headed to Glen Mooar. Again with the grey sky, little chance of nice backgrounds to leaf shots but, a short walk up the lane and there was some autumn colour

I walked down onto the beach - completely empty. The sea was a lot calmer than yesterday but still stormy looking

As I was on the beach, I decided to do a short 'tide-lining' walk to see if anything interesting had been washed up. It seems that rubber gloves are almost as common as plastic bottles!

A bit further along and I came across a solitary welly and a sponge. How does someone get home with only one shoe?

The rain started coming down so I headed back to the car. Time for our picnic lunch and then head home

Saturday 22nd October

Once again, today dawned grey and (initially at least) wet. So, where to go today? We decided to head to the Raggart, in hope of some autumn colour. On arriving there, we discovered a lot of cars and no parking spaces so headed to the Arboretum at St Johns instead.

We started wandering around the grounds, after bypassing the many ducks who thought we might have food - the lake was deserted as they were all on the path near the gate

As we carried on along the path, there were occasional splashes of colour to be seen

We wandered up towards the M&S shelter and, despite the grey and uninspiring sky, did take a few pictures, looking towards Tynwald church

As we walked back down the track, more colour and a cherry tree that still had fruit on

Back near the lake, I spotted a number of pampas plants - a spot of sunshine would have been nice but, none appeared so had a play in photoshop instead

As I left the pampas, I noticed Dave taking a picture of the leaves in the water, with the reflections of the trees showing behind. It looked quite good so, I thought I'd have a go

So, we left the Arboretum and headed south. Next stop - Niarbyl. On arrival, it was wild and windy. The sea was crashing dramatically on the rocks but unfortunately, was too far out for any decent seascape shots. Still, always nice to visit and a moody sky as well.

As I wasn't getting any dramatic sea shots, I turned my attention to the cottages. I know they've been done a thousand times before so, just one of a cottage

Then a few of the stones helping to hold the thatch on - one normal and one photoshopped

As we were so close, we decided to take a walk around the Glen Maye area. We parked by The Waterfall and headed downhill on the road and onto the Postman's Path.

Part way along, we stopped at some picnic benches for lunch, then carried on up towards the mines. The path was quite wet at times but, not muddy as it is tarmac. Plenty of autumn leaves and a couple of other walkers.

We finally came out by Beckwiths Mine - the photo is straight, it's the tower that's crooked

We carried on towards Snuff the Wind - no pictures from here as there were bikes riding over the waste ground to the side

So now, all that remained was to walk back down to the car. As we looked at the road ahead, I wondered how I could have forgotten that it went down and then up! I'd been looking towards a nice gentle stroll back. Still, it wasn't too bad and it did stay dry

If you look very carefully, you can see Snuff the Wind in the distance. So, we headed home, hoping for better weather next week.