The Maine Rally and mini cruise

Indeed there were over 100 people present at the OCC meeting on Sunday last, 12 August. It was held in the Camden Yacht Club, a solid, venerable building with basic facilities plus an impressive display of souvenir burgees from all over the world. The meeting began with a very entertaining talk from a couple who had completed both the European Loop and the American Loop on their 37ft catamaran, something very few other people have managed. This was followed by refreshments: everyone had been asked to bring an ‘appetiser’. I had assumed these would be the prelude to lunch but no: veterans of this annual event started tucking in almost immediately upon arrival at 10a.m.! Of our own contribution - 24 curried eggs - only two remained when we emerged from the talk at 11:30! Of course I was secretly delighted that I would be saved the embarrassment of having to take them home! The Skipper forgot altogether about the main course for lunch (lobster rolls plus selection of four salads followed by blueberry pie), such was the amazing array and volume of appetisers on offer!

The Rally boats, of which there were 17, set off North the following day, Monday. One of the boats, a small motor launch named Ancient Mariners, is crewed by Herb, who will be 100 in a few weeks time, and his wife Ruth, who is 93. They only went over to ‘the dark side’ from sailing 4 years ago: quite a couple of role models! As the get-together that evening was for drinks and more appetisers at the Stockton Yacht Club, we could not resist a golden opportunity to deviate slightly off our route towards a stationary lobster boat... needles to say, the appetisers were pretty substantial. We did find room for the lobster later though, but no carbs required!

Tuesday: a short ‘sail’ - actually a ‘motor as there was no wind, nor any yesterday either - to the town of Castine, established by the British in 1629. Since then it has changed hands frequently between the British, French and Dutch. The US acquired it at the end of the American Revolution but it was recaptured by the British in 1812 and only finally handed back in 1815. Lunch in a harbourside restaurant was followed by an interesting walking tour round the beautiful town, which has so much history.

That evening we were welcomed aboard another boat for, yes, more appetisers, drinks and talk, which was most convivial and an opportunity to get to know and compare notes with some of the other people on the rally.

On Wednesday, Follyfin set off at 06:00 to catch the current but unknowingly went AWOL because the early start meant we missed the daily briefing on VHF radio. Having only seen fog and drizzle in the forecast, we assumed all the other boats would follow later to the appointed lunchtime and nighttime anchorages. No one turned up at either! As we later discovered, the fleet had decided to stay put for another day in Castine because some suspicious weather ‘cells’ had been spotted in the forecast. As it happened we were pleased to have missed that broadcast since it allowed us to visit lovely Butter Island for brunch and walk up Montserrat Hill. Fog obligingly cleared and sun came out when we arrived on top but the view was only of the tops of surrounding islands. Still beautiful!

And spiders again provided a photo opportunity:

The appointed anchorage for that night was in Seal Bay, which has a tricky entrance with many hidden rocky ledges which are only visible at low water. It was well worth making the effort as this was, in our opinion, the most beautiful anchorage we have experienced in Maine. We were the only boat to venture right into Inner Inner Seal Bay so we only had ospreys and seals for company. The sun was shining as we arrived in good time for a swim in the warm(ish) water and sundowners on deck. Wonderful! Being so secluded, there was no mobile signal at all so it was impossible to discover what had happened to the rest of the fleet until the next day.

Determined to catch up with the fleet for the last night of the cruise, Thursday morning saw Follyfin motoring through Fox Islands Thorofare aiming for the previously arranged meeting point. We passed an unusual craft on the way; it was clear that none of the oarsmen had been trained in the art of rowing...

Luckily, as soon as we returned to the more populated part of Penobscot Bay, we were able to communicate with the cruise organisers and discover another change of plan. Just in time, we turned north instead of south, and safely met up with the rest of the fleet in Cradle Cove on Islesboro Island. For the final night, all of us were invited to land our dinghies on a nearby private island belonging to two of the participants. Appropriately armed with our contribution for the pot luck supper, we joined the party on a sunlit evening to exchange contact details and plans with new friends. What a delightful way to end a sociable few days, feeling very well nourished from all the appetisers and having visited some beautiful anchorages.

The locals tell us that the season here in Maine has now ended. The weather has certainly taken a foggier and colder turn, with a north-easterly blow forecast for tonight. We are safely tucked up in sheltered Long Cove again, next to Tenants Harbour. When weather permits, we will be heading south and west again, hoping to beach Follyfin somewhere soon to clean her bottom (so to speak) and fulfil a long-held ambition to sail into Round Pond, up Muscongus Sound - following in Joshua Slocum’s wake who sailed in here in 1895 on his circumnavigation. It also happens to be where our friends Vic and Midge had a home for 40 years until 2014, and where we have visited them many times.

Note added when finally got WiFi today, 21 August: (no mobile signal for past week or so!), this post was composed 4 days ago. Now we are in Round Pond having taken our old friend Midge out for a sail today. Will be moving on tomorrow, Wednesday 22 August, travelling south-west.