Mainly Pic Spam.

[curiouswombat]

Gosh - it's nearly a week since Valentine's Day, and I have a picture I took then that I posted in photo_scavenger but forgot to post here.

So starting with that one; S2C got me a card and a chocolate heart - I hadn't got him anything similar, but I had the day off work so I took him to The Hawthorn for lunch. I really should have taken a picture of my creole cod with stir fried vegetables as it was very pretty - but I didn't...

However I did take a picture outside the pub that shows that spring is trying to arrive already...



And taken later the same day;





Actually, after lunch I took him to one of his favourite places - the local computer shop. Because, while in spring a young man's fancy turns to thoughts of love, those of a middle-aged man turn to thoughts of ultra-books and similar. Where he actually found a new computer desk that he really likes! After using a rather wobbly white metal one for the past twelve or thirteen years. This one is black metal and glass, more stylish, more stable, and fits in with the rest of the room much better.







And now for a few I took yesterday, just because it was a lovely day. It was actually cold enough overnight to require de-icing of the car to go to work - but very quickly it became bright and sunny, and although the temperature never did get above about 8 -9C there was no wind to speak of, everything was still; so it felt warmer as we are used to an almost permanent chill factor all winter!

I took one especially for photo-scavenger - the theme this week is 'time' - I'll let you guess which one!





That's the opening to Castletown harbour, seen from the outside rather than the harbour itself.

Same spot, but looking 90degrees further around so the one above was sort of Southish, this is more SE -



and this is still standing in the same place, but now looking more ENE -



And a rock pool, just because I like it...



Into the middle of Castletown - here is the clock tower of the castle -



And a close-up of the clock. Note the date and the name of the monarch who presented it to the castle - also spot what is odd, apart from the fact that it was not right!



What's odd? It only has one hand - you have to calculate for yourself just how far it is along between 7 & 8.

Now, a little later in the same day, a little further along the coast at Port Erin -





A couple of close-ups of the small lobster boat (not what you would immediately visualise, if you happen to be a fan of Deadliest Catch!)





This is the headland at the south end of the bay -



I must say that I rather like that picture, even if it is so simple.

And finally, just because they sometimes make such good subjects - a couple of gulls.



there is something about that guy's expression that somehow shows the dinosaur ancestry!

And this guy looks as if he is just considering whether to take the warnings behind him seriously...





Today was a much greyer day, and windy. But at least yesterday reminded us that spring could well be on the way.

Comments

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

My daffodils are cut ones on the sink and will be that way for quite a while so I'm jealous.

That is a very nice desk.

It's always nice to see photos of the waterfront, those of us from around here perk right up when seeing them.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

I was looking at the verges when I was driving today - I reckon in 7 - 10 days we'll have quite a lot of daffs open.

It is my pleasure to perk up your day with pictures of the sea :)

The new desk is quite simple - but a lot more stylish than its predecessor!

[melusine6619.livejournal.com]

Lovely pictures, and I rather like the headland one as well.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Thank you - there is something peaceful about that one, I think.

[chaotic-binky.livejournal.com]

I saw snowdrops yesterday and my daffodils are just poking through the soil in the front garden.

Your pictures have inspired me to take my dog to the seaside again - it is only half an hour to Tynemouth Long Sands :D

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Tynemouth... oh that takes me back! We had our wedding photos taken standing outside Tynemouth Priory.

I hope you and your dog have a lovely walk.

[engarian.livejournal.com]

Oh, you already have flowers! Any flowers here would be under two foot of snow, I'm afraid :-(

Love the clock - it's older than my nation - LOL. I get such a kick out of that...

The headland photo is marvelous - can't you just imagine seeing the sparkle of the Straight Road off in the horizon?

Thanks so much for sharing...these were simply wonderful!

- Erulisse (one L)

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

The snowdrops often do get buried under snow - as do the daffs sometimes - but they are harbingers of spring.

I'm glad you like that picture too - and yes - the straight road could well be over the horizon as it is looking towards the West. (It is taken from a point about half way down the 'i' for island in my icon!)

As for the history - sometimes we can get a bit blasé about it. I remember my daughter complaining that Berlin was terribly modern - no, not to do with WW2 - but that 'there's hardly a building over 300 years old'!

[dalmeny]

Thanks for those photographs. Interesting and pretty. I do remember the wait for the first snowdrops, daffodils and crocuses from when I lived in Scotland. Quite different here of course!

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Very different I would think! Do you have flowers or plants that you look for as signs of seasonal change?

[dalmeny]

Well, we never have a "dead" season here. The native trees are not deciduous and different plants thrive at different times of year. But there are markers of seasonal change. Spring means almond blossom and scented honeysuckle; early summer has agapanthus and flowering jacaranda. None of these are native plants, of course. I think I've learnt to consider the seasons here in terms of temperature and fresh food: asparagus, cherries, peach, mango, quince, apple, rambutan.

When we do have a large resurgence of plant life is when the deserts north of here flood and suddenly fill with wildflowers and birdlife, but that depends on highly irregular rains rather than a predictable season.

[kazzy-cee.livejournal.com]

It's nice to see the sunshine isn't it! I live the desk and the seagulls :)

[kazzy-cee.livejournal.com]

Or even LOVE - oy!!

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

I rather like gulls as subjects - they are quite expressive sometimes!

As for the desk - he is complaining bitterly that I didn't move the black 7 white striped box from under it as it is actually only there temporarily and makes it look cluttered. All I can say is it's a good job I didn't take a 'before' picture of the old one... :P

[estelcontar1.livejournal.com]

You live in a beautiful place indeed. And I see you and S2C had a lovely Valentine's Day. I like his computer table. It's no wonder he fell in love with it.

What lovely snowdrops. I love snodrops.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

There are a lot of snowdrops around now. I think of Simbelmynë being like snowdrops.

As for the desk - we've been looking for a smart, practical, one, that fit the space and was the right height for him, for ages. I kind of waved at it vaguely saying 'a pity that one won't be right, it's rather nice...' and he sat at it, went 'Actually...' and it was bought!

[ellynn-ithilwen.livejournal.com]

Wow, really beautiful photos. I think I've told you before, but I'll say again - I am always impressed with your island. <3

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Our island - small, but perfectly formed!

[wheelrider.livejournal.com]

Jealous of your early spring! Our "spring is coming" sign today was that the sun came out for a few minutes and was strong enough to melt some of the snow. Still way too cold for any plants to start coming up.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

We might get snow yet - but snowdrops are a good sign, the daffs even more so.

[ayinhara.livejournal.com]

Spring is still far off here and even further off in Durango, CO. I enjoy looking at signs of spring on the Isle of Man.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

It looks like quite an early spring, I think - so time for more winter, yet...

[slaymesoftly.livejournal.com]

Your usual assortment of lovely, informative and interesting pictures. I have snowdrops, but none of the daffodils are ready to bloom yet. Spotted a few crocuses (croci? lol) last week, but the the sun left us and temps dropped. The folded up and said "oops! our mistake!)

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Thank you. There are a few crocuses around - but a stiff breeze seems to make them go all droopy like yours!

[slaymesoftly.livejournal.com]

LOL I see I should have proofread that comment before hitting "post" - ah well, you knew what I was trying to say apparently. :)

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

Lovely sunny day photos! I love especially the one of the life-ring, and the gulls. Oddly, even as far inland as we are here, today I saw two seagulls flying overhead. I can only imagine they must be migrating from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes, but it made me wonder for a bit if I'd somehow gotten transported to the coast!

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Gulls get everywhere, I think. well everywhere they can find food!

I like the one of the life-ring, too. I rather like the light of winter sunshine - it is not quite the same as the summer version.

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

Lots of lovely things here! Add me to the list of people enamoured of your island. It would be lovely to visit one day.
:)
There is something about the little lobster boat I like very much.
That's a very smart computer desk!

Is that only one hand on your clock in the tower?

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

I do good guided tours...

The men on the lobster boat must have regarded the dry, calm, day as a real treat, I think.

And yes - one hand - the pointy end tells the time, the other end is just there for balance I suppose.

[shirebound]

I always love it when folks share pictures of their home and scenic spots.

Yay for the new computer desk! It's very pretty.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

I always love it when folks share pictures of their home and scenic spots.

Me too - we have learnt so much about everyone else's bits of the world here on LJ.

And the desk is really rather good - smart and practical!

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Thank you for sharing these lovely photos.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

It's my pleasure - sharing them gives me a good reason for taking them, if you see what I mean.

[bojojoti.livejournal.com]

No, no spring in sight! It's covered with all that fluffy white stuff.

Love all the blue in the photos.

Did your husband get an ultrabook?

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Are you totally buried in snow yet?

Did your husband get an ultrabook?

No - he is thinking of waiting another couple of months - but plans to get one eventually.

[bojojoti.livejournal.com]

Hardly! I feel quite smug that I out-predicted the computers. I said a foot (12 inches) and we received 11.7 inches. How's that for accuracy? Does it seem to you that people jump to the "sky-is-falling" scenario immediately any more? As if there isn't enough drama in our lives? Our streets are already plowed, the neighbors have cleared their driveways, and it will be business as usual tomorrow. Of course, it was business as usual for most people--my husband included--throughout the storm, but the schools were closed.

I plan on getting an e-book reader eventually--probably when physical books become harder to buy. Already, fewer hardbacks are being published.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Clearly they should ask you to provide the forecasts!

We both have Kindles - S2C has the paper-white version, I have the basic one. I wouldn't be without it as it lets me carry such a variety of books around with me.

[ukamikanasi.livejournal.com]

So many nice photos!

That clock is older than pretty much everything I see around me from day to day.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Thank you. It's funny - we are so used to having things of all ages around us that we hardly notice unless we make a point of thinking about it.

[inzilbeth-liz.livejournal.com]

Your spring is coming along well.

I always love to see your costal photos. So atmospheric

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

I am not sure, but i thought I saw a tiny bunch of primroses in a sheltered spot yesterday - but they were too far away to be completely sure. I think they must have their clock a bit fast.

The sea is a good subject - it changes so much.