The times they are a changing ...

Blogpost No 9 September 2024

I feel as if the last month has been chock full of all sorts of events, but when I look back, very little seems to have taken place.

There were several birthdays right back at the beginning ... my dear friend, of 52 years, Claire, celebrated in style by renting a Beach Hut at Port Erin. It was a filthy day! Grey skies and intermittent showers but the hut made it easy to party. We ate cake, played Trivial Pursuit (trivially!) and some of us even dipped. It was great.

Weather-wise, the beginning of the month (after Claire's birthday!) was beautiful. Warmth and light in equal measure and one particular Friday, (just before Bob’s birthday) we took advantage of a glorious day with heady temperatures of 23C! Bob and I headed south, away from the North West winds blowing through Kirk Michael. It was the perfect thing to do. At Port Erin and Port St Mary, the air was still; the sea was sparkling, and the beach was empty. We discovered a wonderful new restaurant in Port St Mary called Kellas which is stunning. Delightful, quirky decor, patio dining (fully booked when we arrived - c’est la vie!) And a lovely menu. We returned the following Wednesday to celebrate Bob’s birthday. While the sun had turned down the heat somewhat, it was still bright and beautiful and we LOVED our posh nosh lunch. We’ll definitely be back.

This past week (several weeks later), we had a miraculous seven days straight, of beautiful, soft, bright sunny days, blue skies and very little wind. Yesterday made up for that in spades but we didn’t care … we just had a week of unbridled weather-related-delightfulness. It really doesn’t take much to make us happy. A little light, a few laughs and the sparkling sea.

Talking of the sea … I’ve dipped most days when there wasn’t a storm brewing. I’ve also enjoyed weekly sauna/dips at Fenella Beach with various mermaid friends. The Green Creek Hut company is fantastic. My favourite experience was at 6.30 pm on Wednesday this week. It was the calm before a very stormy day and Fenella was perfect although it was raining steadily the whole time. Plus, the sauna was very fairy-like with under-seat lighting which I hadn’t experienced before. There’s nothing quite as heartening as coming out of the water (not that cold atm!) And getting into a roasting hot sauna, listening to the rain drumming on the roof whilst looking out to sea as the storm clouds gather. You have to try it!

There was, of course, Autumn Equinox! I celebrated it in style with some of my soul-sister-witchy tribe. We sat outside in the field with a roaring fire for about five hours. It was a joyous affair filled with magic and laughter. It is so good to honour and respect the natural order of things, especially in the arms of Nature and with dear friends. I wish you all a happy Equinox as the seasons pass. The nights are darker the temperatures drop and the fiery leaves of wise, sentient trees fall to the damp ground. Our celebrations took place on one of those perfect Autumnal days when the wind was soft and the sky blue, with just a hint of scudding clouds making great art out of the sky. My life is blessed. I wish the same for you.

5 hrs later embers arrived

In honour of the changing seasons and in keeping with this glorious time of year ... here’s a seasonally appropriate song that Michael Fix and I performed in 2019 - the last tour I performed in the UK! You’re welcome :-) x

In more land-related news, the greenhouse is starting to wind down, though the tomatoes are still ripening on their vines. I took all the frilly foliage away to allow the toms to do their thing. No need for more growth now, simply redden themselves ready for sauce making. The cayenne peppers are actually ripening too! There are at least four on their way to being fire-engine red. This makes me very happy. There are a few cucumbers yet to harvest, and maybe enough salad leaves for a couple of mealsas well. Apart from that … it’s almost time to clean up and clear out that gorgeous space. This will be the last time. I will miss the joy of sowing seeds and watching them do their miraculous thing. It’s been an absolute joy and privilege to tend the land and use the dilapidated but generous greenhouse these past few years. The times they are a changing. And that’s OK. All is well, all shall be well.

I had a wonderful dream this week about Sweep! I was surprised when he showed up. I remember exclaiming, “Oh darlin’, you’re still alive! How wonderful!” … his tail wagged ridiculously and he let me hold and stroke him. I was filled with joy. It was such a surprise and left me feeling giddy all day long. Who knew?

Some of the things I conveniently forget about are tedious and no fun whatsoever. My sister Diane, and I are Executors of Mum’s Will and as such are required to take care of all those pesky processes required by law blah-blah-blah. Diane is already more capable than I will ever be, however, I'm stepping up to do my part and attempting to be more adult in all those necessary ways that red tape demands of us. Don’t worry tho, I'm still refusing to grow up! Promise.

I have been in touch with all the venues on the November tour, created Events pages on FB, booked hotels where necessary and started collating songs. I even put my guitar nails on. They lasted a week before falling off one by one. I used them twice! So much for practising. I will get more polished before too long - honest! I promised behind-the-scenes videos last month … well, maybe this coming month I’ll make good that promise. My head is often scrambled but I think I’m doing OK most of the time.

One of the songs I’ll be attempting to re-learn is Jim Croche’s Time In A Bottle. I’ve had to watch a video of myself playing it from a performance here on the island in 2006! I can just about make out how I’m playing it! Wish me luck:

Before I go, this is a gentle reminder for you to let me know if there are songs you would appreciate hearing when I’m on tour. I started a list a while back and now can’t find it! Songs I can and will definitely/probably/maybe play are:

Gear Gyn Ayr, Guilty, Who Knows Where The Time Goes, Broken Bicycles, Waiting For My Prayer, It’s All Just Talk, Warm Love Gone Cold, Kicking In My Stall, Quiet, We Spoke Today, Love Me Like A Man, Tracks Of My Tears, How Far To The Horizon, Simple Again, Hymn To Grace, Kinder Heart, Do It Again, Vincent, Boulder To Birmingham … there are others I will add as I go along but for now, these I can handle. Thoughts?

There will only be time to play 8 or 9 songs each night in the second set, which is why I’m considering several set lists to use so I can perform as many as possible over the 15 shows. Please do ask for others if you’d particularly like to hear them. I can’t promise they’ll all get an outing but I’ll do my best to make it happen.

I'm looking forward to another gorgeous Retreat Day with my dear friend Rosemary O'Donohue on Saturday, October 19th at The Sulby Village Hall. If you're on the island then please do come along. It is always a beautiful experience. I LOVE them. Here's a link to book your spot: RETREAT DAY

Apart from that … like I said, there’s not much going on.

Thank you as always for taking the time to check up on me. Soon we’ll be able to do that in person! It’s been 5 years since I played in the UK. Feels like eons some days. And other times it’s like yesterday. I truly hope you can make it to a show. I’m so looking forward to it.

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

Endless blessings.

Christine x