Blogpost No7 July 2024
Ola sweet Blog reader. It feels an age since we last chatted. I am a little late bringing this particular meandering muse to completion, as life has been a bit of a rollercoaster of late.
First of all, I started typing this from our lovely friend’s black windmill (you read that right!) near Newark (I finished it back on the tiny isle a few days later). Bob and I left the island for a gorgeous wedding in Plumtree near Nottingham, July 18th. The wedding was on July 20th and it was absolutely wonderful. We stopped on the way, to a church and I felt moved to sing:
Perhaps I should backtrack a little to give myself a full run-up to now.
Last time we spoke it was June and the greenhouse was starting to really blossom. The thought of fresh, crisp cucumbers was making my mouth water. A few weeks later they more than met my expectations. They were delightfully crunchy and delicious. I’m hoping that my Greenhouse Water fairies (you know who you are!) have taken a good scutch of them home to enjoy in my absence. As we left the island, a swathe of strawberries was just starting to blush - I had shut the thought of enjoying them myself, clear out of my mind. I know my gorgeous, giggly, great-niece Addy has been doing a great job of harvesting (eating;-) them. Thanks Addy.
On July 5th the whole island celebrated Tynwald Day when we have fun lauding our ancient parliament (Tynwald) which was created by the Vikings more than a millennium ago. There are craft fairs and lots of music, dancing and beer drinking! My lovely friend Claire, who has two pieces of art in Children Of The Sea (Lift The Veil and Dear Sister) suggested I bring copies to the Artful Dodger's stall at the main gathering next to Tynwald Hill. It was a great idea and I was pleasantly surprised about the genuine and excited interest in the book/CD. Thanks Claire :-)
The Power Of Three Retreat Day on July 14th was full to capacity and a hugely successful experience. We’re planning another towards the end of October. I’ll fill you in on the details once we’ve organised ourselves properly. Until then, here are a few pics from the day:
Major events of the past month mostly had to do with organising those things that need attending to after Mum’s passing. For the most part, they're tedious, but apparently, necessary protocols. We're getting on with it but sometimes it's achingly slow. Perhaps I should say I'm achingly slow doing it! It took me ages to clear out her bedroom and parcel up those things to keep, give away or take to charity shops. In the end, after dithering for several weeks, I did it all in a day. It was a strange process but cathartic and moving all at once. Obviously, these things take time.
All of this means there are BIG changes ahead for Bob and I that are inevitable in the wake of all that comes from the death of a parent. especially one we were so intimately entwined with for the past 4 years. Our heads are spinning with all sorts of possibilities to explore. There's no clear avenue yet but there will be soon enough. We are excited! Your kind and positive thoughts are always appreciated. Thanks!
My plans to knuckle down and break the back of the necessary organisation and planning of the November tour got totally sidetracked this month although, I did spend a day designing and ordering posters for the tour. At every stage, they ask (it’s an online process) … have you checked the details to make sure you have exactly what you need and intend in the artwork. Which I thought I had - many times. Only to find, after completing the order, that I’d put the wrong date for the Isle of Man show at the Erin Arts Centre!!! Doh! It is, in fact, taking place on FRIDAY 8th November … but I managed to put it down as the 9th. (Tickets available now!) Not my finest hour. I’ve created new posters for the island now which should override my mistake but I have to admit to feeling a bit of an idiot! The posters look nice though. What do you think?
I’ll be performing a selection of songs from Children Of The Sea at Sulby Village Hall on August 9th. It’s a charity gig. I’ll be using the tracks and videos created especially for live shows which is a great opportunity to hone my technical skills and use my gorgeous PA for the first time as the main source for the sound. I’m properly excited. If you’re on the island then please do come along.
Coming back to this side of July now, I can tell you we’ve had a lovely time visiting family and friends in fabulous places, from Plumtree, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Broad Hinton (near Avebury), Sandhurst (including a trip out to Runnymede) and then onto the afore-mentioned spectacular black mill in Lincolnshire. Our final family stop was to revisit Bob’s gorgeous sister-in-law in Scarborough before heading home on August 1st. Phew! That’s a lot right? Before the wedding in Plumtree, Bob and I had the luxury of a whole day to ourselves and were able to visit the gorgeous towns of Royal Leamington Spa and Warwick. As you can see we’ve had a fab time in some wonderful places with special people we love. Life is good n’est pas?
The video below is an attempt to catch up on all the other people and places we visited over the last two weeks ... hope I haven't left anyone/anywhere out!
A couple of extra things that have recently happened for Children Of The Sea are that Dear Sister was played by Mark Radcliffe on the BBC Radio 2 Folk program (July 17th 42 minutes in;) and today I delivered a box and more of Children Of The Sea to our local Waterstones in Douglas! The lovely manger there, Quinn, has been trying to get this sorted for neasrly three months! Finally it's all come good and I'm so grateful! If you're strolling down Strand Street anytime soon you can pop in and find it ... and maybe even buy yourself (or a friend;) a copy. Thanks!.
OK, I think that’s probably it for this month - sorry I was a bit late but I’m sure you understand.
Thanks, as always, for dropping by to see how I’m faring - it matters to me. Till next time, stay well and keep rising above the turbulence.
Much love Christine xx
Comments