Castletown, Isle of Man

Castle Rushen is one of the most authentic medieval castles in Europe. What's not surprising is that it anchors the old capital of the Isle of Man, once an independent kingdom. What is surprising is that this happens to be the 4000th post on Geographically Yours. At a picture-a-day, that takes you back to the summer of 2010 when Geographically Yours began. [2011]

Castletown, Isle of Man

Picture perfect is the castle town on Ellan Vannin. Past perfect is the landscape. Present perfect is the population. And, future perfect is the island's wisdom. Ta keeayll ommidjys ny sloo ny t'ee ec dooinney creeney dy reayll. (Wisdom is folly unless a wise man guides it.) So said in the Manx language. [2011]

Douglas, Isle of Man

The old harbor used to be the commercial heart of Douglas, but now it is big enough only for pleasure craft. It is a story repeated all over the world. The harbors of old cannot accommodate the scale of maritime commerce today, so they are retired and converted to people purposes. [2011]

Douglas, Isle of Man

How equipped are you to read the symbolic landscape? Seen cold, would this picture pop up on your map of the Irish Sea? It would if you knew anything about the three legs of Man that appear on the ship's bow. Now, tell us what ANZAC means. [2011]

Peel, Isle of Man

Here be three men of Man.
Winner to be? or an Also Ran?
What's the Key? the Master Plan?
Take a pic of Me, Mr. Camera Man.
[2011]

Castletown, Isle of Man

Castletown is the fourth largest on the Isle of Man. It arcs around a picturesque harbor and, yes, there is a castle that lords over the town. The boats seen in the harbor today are used for fishing and recreation. [2011]

Douglas, Isle of Man

The big mystery here is why the Douglas Head Light is not up on the head. The elevational lift would make it visible farther out on the Irish Sea. Rather, the head light's location is more akin to a harbor light such as the one on Battery Pier in the foreground. [2011]

Douglas, Isle of Man

Today is a bank holiday on the Isle of Man, so it's entirely appropriate to take a look at the country's government building, meeting place of the House of Keys. Until 1879, it was a bank building. Say some: It looks like a wedding cake. Well worth preserving, don't you think? [2011]

Castletown, Isle of Man

The Siliwen is in Castletown on the Isle of Man, but her home port is Bangor, Wales, right across the Irish Sea. Do you get the impression you're entangled in the Celtic fringe of the British Isles?  It's a region where Welsh, Manx, and Irish lilts lap the ears as surely as waves on Muir Éireann lap the shores of Cymru and Ellan Vannin. [2011]

Douglas, Isle of Man

Here's a sign that the Manx people identify with more than their Celtic heritage. They remember, apparently fondly, the Norse chapter in their history. Talk about Paradise Lost! Let's apply John Milton's words to the landscape: "Our torments also may in length of time Become our Elements." [2011]

Ramsey, Isle of Man

If the Manx are really so super, they should have x-ray vision just like Superman. We need them in the world's airports. Given that they're faster than a speeding bullet (yes, acceleration is worshiped on the Isle of Man), they would be able to work at LAX or IAD and go home every night for dinner. Have you read Supermanx Versus the Terrorists? [2011]

Douglas, Isle of Man

The theme here: 'the way it's supposed to be.' This is how we imagine a rural-urban dichotomy: without amorphous sprawl between town and country. Pack people into urban places and keep the rural landscapes open and available for agriculture. In this case, it's pastoral agriculture. [2011]

Douglas, Isle of Man

Victoria Street leads right down to the harbor in Douglas. One element of the built environment feels right at home on Victoria Street. Is it the RBS Building or the town clock? The latter, of course.  It just reeks of Victorian era design. As for the Royal Bank of Scotland: closed today.  As in Great Britain, it's Boxing Day on the Isle of Man. [2011]

Douglas, Isle of Man

Yellow gorse is like the Energizer Bunny; it just keeps going, and going, and going. In California, it is known as an invasive species, but in the Isles, it has specific jobs to do. It paints the hillside with sunshine at mid-summer; it establishes hedgerows as icons of the rural countryside; and it gives birds the promise of home ownership. [2011]

Douglas, Isle of Man

From the waterfront in Douglas, a miniature castle is visible in the harbor. It's too small for anyone to live in, but not too small to provide a refuge where shipwrecked sailors may await rescue. After all, the Irish Sea can be a treacherous body of water. On the one hand, clever; on the other, an example of innovation without diffusion. [2011]

Castletown, Isle of Man

Castle Rushen, after which the town was named, overlooks a small creek that leads inland from a bay on the Irish Sea. From their castle perch, the Lords of Man could see all that went on in this creek, which was the gateway to the island. Nearby is the House of Keys. You guessed it: This used to be the island's capital. [2011]

Douglas, Isle of Man

The triskelion is the Isle of Man's national symbol. It has insinuated itself into every cranny and curve of the island's cultural landscape. Because it looks like a pinwheel, you're tempted to give it a spin: what a perfect reminder of the wheels that make Man a motorspots mecca. [2011]

Ramsey, Isle of Man

It's opening day for the new bowling alley in Ramsey, and with the alley comes a new snack bar. Though the menu is limited, the universal fast food is right there. It's like having Germany (Hamburg-er), France (French fries), and Italy (Italian pomo d'oro) rafting around the Irish Sea. [2011]

Douglas, Isle of Man

Ever meet a three-legged Manxman? His three legs are on his cap, along with a classic race car, a palindrome that means money to the Manx. The three-legged emblem is called a triskelion, and it is seen everywhere on the Isle of Man. Race cars are seen everywhere on the Isle of Man, too. Always italicize race cars to make it look like they are racing. [2011]

Ramsey, Isle of Man

Those are Maxxis tyres (not Manx, just English for tires) on that 'toy' racecar. It was raining outside, so these two holed up in a shop still open on Saturday afternoon. I stopped in to ask why there was a Washington County Sheriff's car patrolling the streets of Ramsey. A local car collector collects from the States! [2011]