…by which we mean, we’ve completed our “Settling the Score” 20th anniversary challenge! A wonderful final full day on the Isle of Man involved four performances in all, including the one we had originally planned but much more else besides.
As scheduled, we started the day by attacking Snaefell, the tallest mountain on the Isle at a height of 610m. Because of the extra pier performance (more of which later) we decided we’d walk up the mountain from the car park at Bungalow Station, but then take the mountain tram back down again in the interests of time. This was all going well until we got to a height of about 500m, at which point we disappeared into clouds!
The cloud cover continued all the way to the top, meaning the spectacular views we had read about didn’t materialise. But we made good progress (as we’ve found before, having 6- and 9-year-olds walking with us certainly geed us on!), and we got to the summit at about 11.20, our legs having survived a steep climb despite the exertions of the last two days. It was cold and exceptionally windy at the very top, but we gave a rendition of Climb Every Mountain with nearly-numb fingers and then retreated to the summit cafe.
After an early lunch, we noticed the cloud was starting to burn off, and before we left the top we were treated to some great views of the island - not as far as any of the nations of the UK, which apparently can be seen on a clear day (as can Ireland), but enough to make it seem doubly worthwhile.
Following an exciting descent in the mountain tram, we had a little time before we were due at the pier, so we took a trip to the northenmost point on the island - the Point of Ayre. This was a spectacular bit of coastline, with two lighthouses and a foghorn on a seemingly endless pebble beach. We gave a quick recital by the smaller of the lighthouses before heading back to Ramsey.
We had been disappointed on Saturday to find the pier closed, and clearly still undergoing significant restoration work. A chance conversation with a journalist yesterday, however, opened some doors for us (literally), and we were greeted by the President of the Queens Pier Restoration Trust - who just happens to be a cellist himself! By this stage the sun was shining, and we played a few pieces for the handful of people who had gathered on the pier. We’re very grateful to Stuart McKenzie and his team for allowing us to do this and complete the challenge!
After a brief stop for an ice cream (our first of the tour!), we returned to the village of Laxey, and had a walk down to the beach. A glorious late afternoon was an ideal setting for a good playing session, where we got to play many of our favourite pieces in a more leisurely way than we’ve sometimes managed! We then rounded off the day with a lovely Italian meal with James’s family.
So, we’re heading back to England tomorrow with a tinge of sadness - we’ve so enjoyed our time on the Isle of Man, which none of us knew before but we have all come to love. This therefore will be the last of the daily blogs from the current challenge, but we’ll send out a newsletter with a final update from the tour later in the month.
Finally, a few thank yous: to everyone at the Isle of Man Half Marathon; Dr Peter Litman and his colleagues at St German’s Cathedral; to Stuart McKenzie and the Queen’s Pier Restoration Trust; to the wonderful people of the Isle of Man; and to everyone who has sponsored us (thus helping Aspire and Go Beyond in their wonderful work) along the way. If you’re still meaning to join that number, you can do so by clicking this link:
Sponsor us here!
But for now, goodbye and thank you, from Jeremy, Clare and James!