August 30th, 2019
MERCHANTS ROW
We were thinking of going further east but Dana and Melissa, who have spent their lives sailing about here, suggested that we should stick around this area and in particular Merchants Row which, as you can see from the drone shot, is a fantastic group of Islands. I would like to point out that the drone, unlike the last one, didn't go for a swim.
August 30th, 2019
POTS
One of the things about Maine is that there is an industry creeping about underneath us. There are an incredible three million pots which are issued in commercial licences for up to eight hundred pots per boat and pleasure licences of five. At times there are so many that its hard to find a clearway through them. Night movement is a no no so Tracey doesn't begrudge them as much as you might think. I find that they add a bit of fun to the day unless it's a long passage when continued concentration can be very tiring.
August 30th, 2019
EVOLUTION
I like this picture for it just shows how things have evolved with modern materials and pleasure sailing. The catamaran is owned by an Australian family and the old timer is a working Wind Jammer that now earns its keep with adventure tourism. Many of them have no engine and are a joy too watch being manoeuvred.
August 30th, 2019
GOOD COMPANY
Good food requires good company and so I need to introduce Dana and Melissa who joined us for a great night that went into the early hours. The pot is Danas Grandmothers and as you can imagine there was no shortage of things to talk about. Look at those Lobster.
August 30th, 2019
LOBSTER
This how they cook Lobster Maine style although normally it would be topped by corn on the cob but we didn't have enough room. Basically you put a couple of inches of seawater in the pot, bring it to the boil, pile in the Lobster, add Clams and give it about fifteen minutes. This is Dana's Grandmothers pot and believe it or not there is four Lobster in there and I cant describe how tasty they were. The sweet flesh requires no flavouring but a dip in melted butter makes it.
August 30th, 2019
MOUNTAIN
From Castine we stopped in a number of lovely places including Bucks Harbour where Ian and Michelle dropped in for the night as they were driving north to see Ians Mum. Many moons ago we showed Keith and his wife Kathy round Pearl as they were interested in a Garcia and they kindly let us use their stunning mooring in Horseshoe Cove. I have tons of anchorage pictures but don't want to bore you. They might look similar but the reality around here is that they all have something about them be it wildlife, a lovely place to paddle-board or interesting people that we have met.
This Plaque half way up Somes Sound, which is the only Fjord on the eastern Atlantic seaboard, is to celebrate the donation by Rev Connely and Mary Wheeler of Acadia Mountain to the community. I can imagine it being a rather biblical speech!
August 30th, 2019
HOUSE
During our Castine walk I was taken with this house which has a huge fire. I wonder if it started as a Pizza oven and then grew from there. Daft idea I know but I like great things that spark off something random. When I look back its a bit like my life has unfolded - a series of daft ideas.
August 30th, 2019
CASTINE
From Belfast we had a lovely sail to Castine which has a lot of history as it was fought over by the French, British, Americans and even the Dutch. Changing hands innumerably means that there is a fantastic walk around town with signs everywhere highlighting historical locations and facts. This one caught my eye for its brutality.
The other thing about Castine is that it is home to the Maine Maritime Academy which is an amazing facility. Loads of sailing boats in the estuary, a huge training ship and a sprawling campus. We arrived the day after the new intake arrived who are known as Mugs. It bought many memories back to see them learning how to row lifeboats, or in reality teamwork. As an aside the lady eating her lunch opposite me overheard me checking that I had got the name right. Low and behold Andrea was the first female entrant in 1974. Havent times changed.
