Walks and Creative wandering
Blog Post No. 8, August 2026
What to tell this month? Some wonderful walks, days out, a couple of saunas a few more dips, a lot of writing and ruminating, and some reminiscing. Let’s dive in!
Way back at the beginning of the month, Bob and I went on a second hike with our fabulous friends Claire and Steve. This time, we drove to Laxey (famous for its giant waterwheel), took an electric tram to the Bungalow (halfway to the top of Snaefell on the TT Races Mountain Road) and, after coffee and fresh, straight-out-of-the-oven scones with jam and cream at The Victory Cafe, hiked over heather-strewn hills, past old abandoned mineshafts, adits and tumbled-down buildings. With sheep, streams and ankle-jarring rocky walkways all around us, we wended our way back to Laxey through the old village of Agneash, and past the great Lady Isabella — the waterwheel — herself. Of course, we picnicked along the way. This walk, unlike the first, was all downhill and much easier not only on my little untrained legs, but also on my it’s-too-hard-for-me fitness-challenged psyche. The walk was, however, every bit as delightful and satisfying as the first hike last month.
Look, here’s a REEL .
I also took numerous early-morning walks, mostly with my dear friend Rosemary, along Marine Drive in Douglas. They brought more stunning scenery and a slow but growing sense of fitness. Unfortunately, as with many times in my life when I attempt to get fit, these episodes become more random and uncoordinated, so that once Rosemary left for a week or so, my commitment left with her… And although I’ve done maybe a couple of early-morning walks on my own, I’ve pretty much lost the thread and done very little since. But I’ll get back to it! Obviously, I’m talking to myself :-) x
In “musical” news, I was invited to sing with a choir at Peel Cathedral to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Mothers’ Union. The invitation came through Anne Corlett, the lovely woman of the couple who bought Mum and Dad’s house in 2024 — stay with me. Anne is a delightful person and happens to be the President of the Mothers’ Union here on the Isle of Man. She texted me to ask if I would sing with the Together Gospel choir, especially pulled together for the occasion. I asked what they were singing before committing… ;-) x
Oh Happy Day was the song that hooked me in. I’m not, as I’m very fond of saying, a religious person, but I love this track from the 1960s, and to sing with a choir in a cathedral, no less, is a joy and a privilege. Let me tell you, the congregation were a little stunned when we finished! It was a wonderful experience all round. My thanks to Sarah for letting me share her phone footage, Anne for asking in the first place, and Janet McDowell — the fabulous choirmistress who pulled it all together.
Every Thursday this month, Bob and I have given ourselves the joy of a day out. One such Thursday brought us south to the Sound, a beautiful spot. It was a sparkling day, and the tide was at its fullest when we arrived. Bob and I sat overlooking the Sound and the Calf of Man, watching happy, fat seals play in the fast-flowing tidal water. Oh, to be a seal!
From there, we drove across to Port Erin, sat by the beach and played Travel Scrabble! It’s become our favourite pastime this summer. I won’t say who won :-) x From there, we drove the short, winding back road to Fleshwick Bay, the scene of a favourite childhood
memory.
A long time ago, I was on another outing, this time with my friend Claire (one half of our hiking partners) and her family. It was a perfectly still, sunny summer day when we were about eleven. The place was already packed by the time we arrived, and we had to scramble over rocks and past families well established with picnic blankets and fold-away chairs to find a spot to sit. But the amazing thing that still lives vividly in my memory was the water in the little bay, which was chock-a-block with white and pink-tinged jellyfish! Hundreds of them, floating as if stuck together, in what I now know is called a bloom. No one got in the water that day, even though it was a scorcher, but it was the most wonderful sight!
Bob and I have also visited Ramsey and Ballaglass Glen, and our third proper trek with Claire and Steve took place around the headland at Maughold, taking in the old church, graveyard and an ancient holy well. It was a short walk in comparison to the first two. The world was still warm and sunny then, and there was the promise of a dip and a sauna in Laxey at the end — my life is a fairytale at the moment!
In between all this walking and sightseeing, I’ve been diligently writing up a storm at Cycle 360, Noa on the Quay, or outdoors at Archallagan and Niarbyl, I found myself dipping into some lovely surreal storytelling, where I travelled below an ancient tree and met a gorgeous black, furry, mouse-like creature who called herself Cordelia. We had twelve adventures together. We had adventures in lush tropical landscapes, beautiful forests and, one day, a vast desert; colourful wooden boats; rivers; mountains; beaches; moss-covered stones and trees; with a lot of spiritual philosophising and encounters with my younger self. It’s been quite the ride.
I have no idea how it helps me find a musical thread, but I have to say I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the creative escapades. I’m calling it part of the process. I may yet revisit this wonderful inner space, but for now it’s reached a happy conclusion, and I’m back mining for another rich seam of something… as yet to be found.
I’ve also taken to doodling — yes, that’s right, doodling — but in the manner of Zen Doodles or Doodle Art, which apparently is a thing. I don’t know if you recall, but when Bob and I were visiting Bali earlier this year, I started a daily watercolour practice. Anyway, this is along the same lines, if you’ll pardon the pun. I’m letting myself doodle for fun and to see how it might help open new synapses in my brain, allowing odd ideas to float surreptitiously into my creative catchment area. It’s all part of the process — there’s that word again.
Here, take a look — see what I mean? They’re fun… and, well, rather lovely. What do you think?
In a more musically, productive and focused way, I’ve started practising the songs Dave Kelly and I will be performing in October. And for four shows, we’ll be a trio! Pete Filleul has agreed to join us for the fun of it, from the 7th to the 10th of October. How exciting! It’s becoming less and less likely we’ll have a new recording to offer, as Dave is a very much-in-demand busy man, but it’s not off the table altogether — yet. The gigs themselves will be fab. GIG info HERE.
Our final walk of the month was last weekend in the south of the island. The Manx Grand Prix has been in full swing this past week or so and, as with all things organised that need fair weather here on the tiny isle, the weather turned most decidedly in the wrong direction as soon as the practices began. From stunning, still, sunny days, we were whipped into windswept, dark, rain-filled cloudiness. C’est la vie.
The thirty-seven-and-a-half-mile course, which is closed during practice and racing, cuts off much of the middle and north of the island, so going south is the most practical thing to do.
Steve captains our hiking adventures and is a font of fabulous, little-known local facts along the trails we’ve trekked. Last Sunday — August 23rd — he took us on a walk from Bradda Head Glen, starting in Port Erin, hiking up over beautiful, high, rugged cliffs, and down some very steep, sloping sheep tracks — down, down, and down some more — to Fleshwick Bay. Not a jellyfish in sight! We picnicked in the lee of an old drystone wall, out of the fierce headwind that made picnicking in the bay impossible, before completing the circle back to Port Erin. The whole experience was thrilling. We’ve loved these walks.
I’ve edited a video from footage taken on our hikes this month, using a song co-written and produced with Rob Laufer in 2015 to accompany the visuals. At that time, Bob and I visited Los Angeles regularly. Rob and I wrote four songs together that summer. I’ve never known what to do with them. They’re really good. He’s fabulous! Hope you like this one — Everyone Knows.
Before I sign off this month, I have some very sad news to share. A wonderful local singer, Anna Goldsmith, whom I performed with here on the island, alongside Christy DeHaven about fifteen years ago, died suddenly after a short illness. She was only forty-eight. Christy put together a wonderful podcast including some of her fabulous music, to celebrate her life — HERE.
Anna was an exceptional singer, songwriter and live performer, and a brilliant mover and shaker in the Civil Service here on the island. She was also a kind, generous, warm and very funny woman. We made some beautiful music together. Her family, friends and fans will miss her greatly. She was a one-off. Rest in peace, gorgeous goddess.
Till next time, sweet reader, stay well, be curious and keep rising above the turbulence.
Much love,
Christine x
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