Maine challenges: fog, weed and pots

Bade fond farewell to Midge on Wednesday but our intention to depart that same afternoon was thwarted - nothing new there then. We needed water but the marina well was dry. In addition we needed a pump-out but it was too rough and windy for this to be achieved at the tiny pump-out float. Both were achieved the following day - the latter not without some damage to the hull but the less said about that the better - and we were on our way after the wind had dropped slightly and the morning fog had lifted somewhat. Picked our way through a sea of lobster and crab pot floats, also trying to avoid large patches of seaweed which if sucked into the engine sea-water intake tube would block the filter and cause the engine to seize up. Similarly, catching a lobster pot around the propellor or one of our twin rudders would be disastrous. So relaxing at the helm is not an option in these waters.

Anchored for one night in quiet Harpswell Harbour only 4nm away, just one other boat for company. Yesterday, Friday 27th July, we awoke to thick fog. Happily this had cleared by the time we motored off at 09:30 in complete calm and stillness. We are aiming to push as far as we can ‘down east’ (as they call it here) in the next week so that we can then take our time returning west to Camden in order to make the start of a sailing club rally we join on 12 August. The passage to Love Cove on Southport Island, on east side of the Sheepscot River on Midcoast Maine, was largely uneventful apart from seeing four seals, a whale and of course...patches of thick fog, weed and the ubiquitous lobster pots even out in very deep water. Had to use the motor all the way but both sails helped for a couple of hours early in the afternoon.

Arrived to find a perfect little cove, just a few summer houses around the shore. The fog lifted and the sun came out right on cue. Just as First Mate was contemplating dropping in for a quick dip after tea, the unmistakeable smell of gas assaulted our nostrils... Swift action was required - all gas taps off, the bilges pumped and definitely no lighted flames anywhere near! Location of leak will be investigated by the bosun and repair undertaken. Meanwhile, Follyfin and crew find themselves in a beautiful spot - apart from the intermittent fog of course.