The Long Way Round

Blog Post No. 7 – July 2026

The end of July is fast approaching, and I’m trying to recall all this month has brought. The highs and lows? I’m back working at the funky “workspace” cafés I frequented last summer. I don’t have the same urgency as then, when I needed to create and complete many videos for my solo tour last September. This time, I’m pondering possibilities. Searching, digging, opening myself up to receive a coherent theme to work some magic around. So far… it’s a bit sludgy. It’s not that I’m not doing anything, but the results are patchy, to say the least.

Creating anything is a fine line between endeavouring to connect with the flow of things and not controlling the outcome. It’s a conundrum, for sure. I have written several pieces that might be labelled poems, but they don’t really lead anywhere. I still have to remind myself that this is all part of the journey and that, regardless of perceived outcomes, it’s necessary in order to find something authentic and inspiring – to me, first and foremost. If, or when, I find that connection, then there’s more chance of anyone listening, reading or looking at my creative efforts once they come to fruition. (I’m talking to myself here, obviously! 😊) Then there’s more likelihood that they, too, will find something to feel good about. It’s a maze, a winding labyrinth – an adventure! Your continued support is always appreciated – thank you! And on I go.

Apart from the creative coalface, I’ve enjoyed many sauna/dips, both at Laxey and Fenella Beach. I can report that the sea temperature this month has been fab-u-lous – averaging around 15°C! Although it has to be said, the temperature at Fenella remains much colder than on the east coast. Our lovely sauna-man from Green Creek Hut Saunas, Nick, recently informed me that the difference is because the water off the west coast is deeper and faster-flowing than on the east coast. I also learned that the tides can differ by a metre on either side of the Island. Who knew?! Our tiny rock affects the Irish Sea in ways I was completely unaware of. Whatever the sea is doing, I love it completely!

Perhaps the highlight for me this month was a wonderful hike from Black Hut, near Snaefell, to North Barrule with our friends Claire and Steve. We’ve been threatening to do this amazing walk for more than twenty years! I am not the fittest person. I’ve lost the habit of daily physical effort for better health. I know I should, and I know it takes very little effort to feel the rewards, but I simply haven’t found the wherewithal required to commit. Making the decision is always the hardest part.

As we got ready on Sunday morning, my mental approach was, “Well, I’ll just go back to the car and wait for everyone if I can’t make it. I don’t have to do the whole trek.” To put my bad attitude into perspective, we met a couple of walkers – two women, one in her seventies – running back from the heady heights of our goal. They were running! And chatting as they ran. And smiling! It certainly gave me food for thought and kicked my bad attitude to the kerb.

It was the perfect day for a hike. The sun was out but not scorching. Cloud cover drifted across at just the right moments after particularly effortful hill climbs, cooling us down brilliantly; then the sun reappeared each time before cool became cold. And the views! Oh, my Goddess! They are spectacular – absolutely breathtaking. My mental battle rumbled on all the way to the final hilltop. The sense of satisfaction was the best reward.

Once at North Barrule, we plonked down on the side of the hill overlooking Maughold and Glen Mona on the east coast, and tucked into a delicious picnic. My hard-boiled egg with sea salt never tasted so good! The walk back was a doddle. And to top it all off, I had the most fantastic sauna/dip at Laxey a few hours later. I’m certain it helped ease my aches and pains from all that hill climbing earlier in the day. I still felt the effects for several days afterwards – just not as badly as I’d anticipated. Oh, my creaking bones!

Apart from that, as I mentioned, it’s been mostly tentative steps towards something new, as yet undefined. Bob and I have rekindled our love of Scrabble, and my sister Diane has joined us several times. Yesterday she thrashed the pair of us in no uncertain terms – two (two!) seven-letter words, and the “Q” placed on a triple-letter score, forming two words! I mean, that’s amazing.

I have plenty of songs to practise for the tour with Dave Kelly in October… all in good time. And there’s the possibility of a trip to Portugal before then – fingers crossed! I can dream. :-)

This month’s song/video is a montage of a walk to Port Jack and our mahoosive hike to North Barrule, accompanied by a demo of a song called Nurtured By Nature. I co-wrote it with Steve Lima many moons ago. Steve now lives in Portugal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjsob4SU110

I trust you are all thriving in your own inimitable way. Thanks, as ever, for dropping by to see how life is for me on the tiny isle. I do appreciate you – very much.

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

Endless blessings and much love,

Christine x