Family, friends, and musical fun!

AKA The joys of touring!

Blog post No: 9 September 2025

Before we begin, I'd like to say a great big thank you to the Isle of Man Arts Council for their continued and generous support, this time with a travel grant which covered the cost of getting off and on the island. A massive help! Thank you!

Deep breath … there’s a lot to fill you in on!

Bob and I left the tiny Isle on September 1st.

I'm writing this on October 1st, and we’re sailing back home once more — tired, but full of unforgettable memories and overflowing with gratitude.

Gratitude and Glitches

First, a huge thank you to everyone who came to a show this month. I keep saying it — and will continue to — I can’t do this without you!

Secondly, a heartfelt apology to those gorgeous souls who bought tickets for Honiton, Bath, or Firbeck, only to face the disappointment of those shows being cancelled. I was, and still am, deeply upset by those decisions. After all the hard work, enthusiasm, and focus from everyone involved, there just wasn’t enough interest to make those events viable.

As a performer who relies on public support to sustain a 42-year career, it’s a real blow to one’s confidence. My only consolation is knowing I wasn’t alone — several other artists also faced cancellations this September. It doesn’t make it easier, but it eases the guilt a little.

On to the Fun Stuff! 😄

I’ve got footage from most of the shows and will share highlights — without overwhelming you!

📍 St Ives & Penzance

We started in Cornwall, staying with dear friends Andi and Leon in their stunning Airbnb in St Ives — the perfect recovery after the long drive from Liverpool. And joy of joys, our wonderful dipping friend from the Isle of Man, Andrene, was nearby, so we enjoyed a glorious swim together at Carbis Bay.

Our first gig, on September 4th, was at the Acorn Theatre in Penzance. Though their big screen was out of action, mine looked fabulous! It was a warm, generous audience — long-time followers and a couple of holidaymakers who took a chance on the night. A gorgeous way to start the tour.

📍 The Kalamazoo Klub, Hornsey

On September 6th, we played the Kalamazoo Klub in North London — a joyful family reunion with a scutch of Millers, plus old friends Rod Bowkett and David Stark (and their lovely companions Anita and Lili). The warmth and enthusiasm of the organisers were a tonic. It was a fabulous night, even if the late-night drive back up the M4 left us a little bleary-eyed!

📍 Launceston Folk Club

The next night (September 7th) was another delight. Run by the powerhouse that is Emma Jaynes, Launceston Folk Club and its venue Keep Audio Live were bursting with energy. The crowd was amazing, and we loved staying in Emma’s quirky Airbnb — a converted police cell! (“I feel strangely at home,” said Bob.)

The first three gigs:

Friends, Birthdays & Big Screens

After three shows in a row, we spent a few blissful days with Rob and Jo Selbourne near Avebury Stone Circle, celebrating Bob’s birthday in their wonderful, laughter-filled home.

📍 The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock

Peter Neale, who runs events there, made us feel so welcome. Their house PA (which I’m usually wary of!) sounded epic, and the huge screen added real atmosphere. A fantastic night.

📍 Upwood Village Hall

This was our only technical hiccup of the tour — the first track went a bit Pete Tong! While Bob dashed about fixing the projector, I filled the time with my “greatest hits” of silly jokes (the audience was very happy when I stopped!). Despite the chaos, it turned into a wonderful evening — and it was where we sold the last physical copy of Children of the Sea!

We stayed with organisers John and Judy in their magical home nearby — the kind of hospitality that makes touring feel like family.

House Concerts, Churches & Cherished Friends

📍 Hove House Concert

A very special stop with Rob and Lyndy Beattie. Rob — a long-time music journalist — once wrote the line I still cherish:

“Boundary breaking is routine for Collister and makes her one of the finest grown-up vocalists on the planet.” – Q Magazine

It was wonderful to thank him in person finally. And as if that weren’t enough, the wonderful Jacqui McShee arrived early for dinner. I can't believe we didn't get a pic together! It was a night full of laughter, hugs, and magical music — truly fab-u-lous.

📍 Colchester Arts Centre

I’ve been playing here since the early Gregson & Collister days. This gorgeous old church remains one of my favourite venues. Supported by the long-running Colchester Folk Club, it was another night of soaring sound, stunning space, and the warmest audience. We stayed with dear friends Jules and Cindy nearby — a joyful visit from start to finish.

Windmills, Folk Clubs & Reunions

After a few quiet days with our friend Diane in her black windmill near Newark (yes, really!), we played:

🎶 The Kitchen Garden Café, Birmingham (Sept 18) — small but mighty crowd, full of laughter.

🎶 Cambridge Folk Club (Sept 20) — always a favourite; the organisers’ dedication never fails to impress me.

🎶 Nettleham Village Hall — last time I played here was twenty years ago in a pub! A fantastic turnout, a towering stage, and a glowing review.

Just before our last run of shows, we heard the very sad news of the passing of Danny Thompson - 4 April 1939 - 23 September 2025. An extraordinary musician, exemplary human being, and a beautiful soul. We love and miss you darlin. Whoppers!

The Final Stretch

📍 The Bury Met (Sept 24). Last year’s gig was cancelled due to a burst water main, so this felt like sweet redemption. Though not quite a sell-out, the crowd made it feel like one. Huge thanks to The Met’s fabulous staff.

📍 Barnoldswick Arts Centre (Sept 25) — quirky, intimate, and utterly brilliant. We even had two screens running simultaneously — a first!

📍 Wotton-under-Edge Arts Centre (Sept 27) — a gorgeous old stone schoolhouse run by volunteers. Such warmth and energy.

📍 Hanger Farm Arts Centre, Totton near Southampton (Sept 28) — breathtaking! A black-timbered barn with the biggest screen of the tour, filled with family, friends, and love.

📍 St Mary’s Church, Sandwich (Sept 29) — the perfect finale. Run by Debs Earl of Folk in the Barn, who’s been a tireless supporter of live music for years. We hadn’t worked together (outside of Daphne’s Flight) for fourteen years — far too long! A rousing crowd, a glowing review (scroll down to find it;) , and a beautiful end to the tour. I haven't included this show in the video as the angle I put it in looks a bit weird; however, Debs has shared a whole song on her FB page, which you can find HERE. You're welcome!

Home Again

For those of you who came to a show, you already know about the CD-only version of Children Of The Sea, now available from Fled'gling Records, with a QR code that allows you to download a PDF version of the book's contents - for free! I know the book was a fabulous Christmas present (forgive me!!) last year, but this new version with two additional tracks - Goddess Of Mann, and No One Knows His Name is also very giftable! Just saying! :-) x

Now I’m back at Cycle 360 on the Isle of Man, sipping mint tea, using the WiFi, and reflecting on this whirlwind month.

There’s so much to think about — and so much to be grateful for.

So, one more time:

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who came to a show. I honestly can’t do it without you.

Sending love and deep gratitude to you all — whether you were in the audience or simply reading along from afar.

It all matters. You matter to me.

Till next time — stay well, remain curious, and keep rising above the turbulence. 💫

Endless blessings!

Christine xx

Ready, set, and off!

Blog post No 8 August 2015

I know I say this a lot, but August really has flown by! It’s been a whirlwind of preparation for the tour, which starts in just a week. Eek! I feel as ready as I can be — though of course, you never truly know until a real audience responds. For now, I’m trusting my 42 years of experience to calm the pre-tour nerves.

This month I’ve spent a lot of time in the Workspace cafés I mentioned last month — especially Noa’s Bakehouse on the quay in Douglas and Cycle 360 at the business park just outside town. Both offer great food, a comfortable setting, plenty of outlets, and excellent Wi-Fi. You may remember I said the internet in our tiny but perfectly formed studio flat just doesn’t cut the mustard for all the uploading, downloading, and editing I’ve been juggling. So, these new modern luxuries have been brilliant.

I’ve been finalising setlists, ordering videos into their correct slots in the Keynote app I use, and writing notes to remind myself what to say between songs. Once the adrenaline kicks in, so much I thought I knew simply vanishes, leaving me with those deer-in-the-headlights moments! I’m hoping I’m better prepared than usual this time — fingers crossed.

I’m especially excited to bring several songs into the fold that connect with Children Of The Sea but weren’t part of the original project — and haven’t been heard live in years. Yes, I’m being deliberately mysterious … you’ll have to come along to find out! And while I’m on the subject, a gentle plea: if you haven’t already bought tickets for September, please consider booking in advance. It really helps venues keep supporting artists like me. Hope alone won’t keep the doors open, but advance sales make a world of difference. And of course, do feel free to encourage a few music-loving friends to come along too. Thank you!

Another highlight this month was my whizzy new-to-me iPhone — complete with waterproof case. Let me tell you, it’s the best thing! I had a week of fine weather, crystal-clear water, and sunlight dancing across seaweed in bronzes, ambers, and emeralds. Pure magic — OMG gorgeous! I was so thrilled with the results that I immediately made a video for YouTube using Like A Mermaid from Feminine Logic. Even better footage now adorns the tour videos. In case you missed it, here's the video:

There’s been time for soul-nourishing gatherings with friends too: forest walks, dips in rivers and sea, the occasional sauna, and golden evenings with food, laughter, and sunsets along the coast. I feel blessed. A few Reels can be found HERE and HERE.

On August 8th — Lion’s Gate — I rose at 5am and went with friends to Cashtyl Ny Ard, a wonderful ancient site in the northeast of the island. The cows and calves in the field nearby were curious about our early arrival, but gracious in sharing the space. We watched the sun rise in silence, gave thanks for the beauty of this world, and remembered how much there is to be grateful for, despite the turbulence around us. Not least: life itself.

Once all the planning was in place, rehearsals began in earnest. My lovely brother and sister-in-law, Colin and Rachel, kindly let me set up my PA, projector, and screen in their garage, where I’ve been practising all week. I promised my nephew Aaron a special concert since I’m not performing on the island this time round — and he is my biggest and bestest fan. I love him so much!

An unexpected adventure came on Sunday 24th, when my dear friend Dave Armstrong — writer, director, and filmmaker extraordinaire — asked me to do a few “pick-up” shots for his film The Catch. It involved me standing in the sea at Ramsey Beach, fully dressed, up to my ribs, for about an hour! My small (but dramatic!) role was to drag the unconscious body of a man floating nearby to safety. It was such fun … and there was cake afterwards to celebrate a job well done. As an added bonus, I managed to book in with Green Creek Hut Sauna at Laxey Beach on the way home - my third sauna/dip in four days! I love it!

The very next day, I was in Dave’s studio recording a gorgeous new version of Motherless Child, for which he’s created an ethereal, Celtic-tinged backing track - very atmospheric. I love laying down weird and wonderful harmonies. Once he’s happy with the mix, I’ll ask if I can share it with you.

And finally, this morning (Sunday 31st), we wrapped up August with a joyful garage concert at Colin and Rachel’s. Aaron sang along with everything — my heart could have burst. Pure joy.

So that’s August in a nutshell! I’ll be on the road throughout September and truly hope to see some of you at the shows. If you can book ahead, that would be wonderful.

Here's a wee video that covers most of the adventures I've shared for August. I used an abridged version of a song I wrote with Mike Slamer, "Edge Of The World" - just because.

Until next time — be well, keep rising above the turbulence, and stay curious.

Much love,

Christine x

Island Days & Creative Preparations:

July 2025 on the Isle of Man

After last month’s frenetic movement and magical musical adventures, July has been, in comparison, much more serene. Bob and I moved into a studio flat in Douglas after our whirlwind UK tour and settled into our new, smaller-spaced, slower-paced lifestyle with relative ease. Life is good!

Sea Dips and Sentimental Spaces

I’ve dipped in at Douglas beach over by the Hilton (which, in my youth, was the Palace Lido — a place I adored as a teenager!). At high tide, I’ve even ventured in from the old Victorian steps near the Ellan Vannin hotel — which Mum and Dad owned and ran for 25 years.

Mum tending her award-winning blooms outside the Ellan Vannin

Then there’s Port Skellion beneath the lighthouse on Douglas Head, another cherished childhood haunt from the 1970s, when life felt sweeter and more innocent… or perhaps I was?!

September Tour Planning Underway

There isn’t a huge amount to report this month — but the practical groundwork for my September tour is all in place. I’ve:

• Booked the boat on and off the Isle of Man

• Sorted hotel accommodation

• Confirmed stays with kind friends

• Checked in with venues to make sure we’re all aligned

Now, it’s time to focus on the creative side of things!

New Tech, New Visuals

This week, I welcomed a shiny new MacBook Pro, which I eagerly tracked on its journey from Vietnam to Hong Kong, Germany, Preston, and finally here on the island. With it, I’ll be editing new video content for the two additional songs included in the upcoming "Children of the Sea and Beyond" tour.

I’m also creating fresh visual backdrops for the acoustic songs in each set. There’s a lot to do, but I’m excited to dive in this week. Wish me luck — and come to a show to see what I’ve managed to create! 😊

Walks, Weather & Video Adventures

The weather’s been a delightful mix of sunshine, patchy grey, and drizzle. The sea remains inviting, and my weekly saunas are essential. I even squeezed in an extra sauna in Laxey during a heatwave reminiscent of 1976!

One glorious Saturday morning, Bob and I climbed South Barrule so I could capture footage for the tour visuals. I used a lovely little video camera my brother Paul (in Perth, Australia) gifted me. Note to self: clean the lens before pressing record! A misty blob appears in one corner, but the descent footage — top to bottom — is fun. You can watch a wee video if you fancy.

From Bagels to Blessings

The next day brought more filming: after a delicious bagel at Roots by the Sea in Peel, we headed to Niarbyl for shots to accompany No One Knows His Name. The island truly was showing off her beauty. We are so lucky to live here.

Later in the month, an intended 30-minute evening stroll turned into a 4-mile adventure! We wandered from home to Summerhill Glen and back along Douglas beach. It was magical — childhood memories of fairy lights and summer evenings came flooding back. (We’ll have to return in August when the lights are actually on!) I shared a Reel of our wanderings on Instagram and Facebook — feel free to take a peek.

A Sunday Drive Through Island Life

Today, Sunday 27th July, I spent time luxuriating in the company of dear friends, taking me from Peel to Ballaugh, then Castletown and Ballasalla. A gorgeous walk through Sartfield Nature Reserve at Ballaugh Curraghs was followed by an afternoon at the Southern Agricultural Show, where my fabulous friends, Rosemary O'Donohue and Catriona Ellis were sharing their physical and spiritual gifts. I’ve tried to capture the day in the video below — apologies for the speedy visuals in both videos, but there was a lot to fit in!

Sunday was full of fabulous friends and fantastic festival vibes! So much to love.

Autumn is in the Air… Almost

This Friday, August 1st, marks the beginning of the end of summer and the quiet turn toward autumn. I’ve already noticed rusty tinges on the finger-like fronds of the horse-chestnut leaves (I won’t say another word about it — promise!).

Before I sign off I have to share that in order to upload the content of this month's Blog Post, I've had to seek out better WiFi than our delightful, teeny-weeny pied-a-terre is able to offer, and so, I've come down to Noa's Bakehouse on the Quay in Douglas. They have, sponsored by Santander, a wonderful, funky, fully-fledged wifi workspace for anyone who needs it! I am super-impressed and very grateful. It also allows me to feel like a modern, growd-up creative person! Ha!

Thank you, as always, for stopping by to catch up on island life and creative doings. I’m excited about the Children of the Sea and Beyond tour and eager to bring everything together for a truly memorable experience.

Until next month — stay well, stay curious, and keep rising above the turbulence.

Much love,

Christine x