He’s still got it!

Skipper, at 75, climbed the mast several times today, Monday 24 June 2019. Seen climbing aloft here,

replacing worn out spreader boots. It’s amazing what the sun and the sea can do to plastic.

New one on left; cracked and decaying one on right 

Whilst I was controlling the safety rope from down below, I had time to admire our surroundings, and this magnificent sailing vessel hove into view.

Thank goodness there are still people who prefer the beauty of sail...and can put up with the hard work that goes with it. All worthwhile when one can travel on or see a vessel such as this one.

Leaving Potts Harbour yesterday evening after a marvellous 3 days and 3 nights staying with our dear friend Midge (see previous post), Follyfin pointed SW to the tranquillity of Jewell Island. From here there is only one house in sight and the eye is treated to the occasional glorious sight of a classic,yacht passing by under full sail - see above.

Just three other boats were here at anchor overnight, it is a wonderful example of the peaceful uncrowned anchorages that can be found in Casco Bay so near to the big city of Portland. This type of place is definitely our preference over crowded and noisy marinas (though it should be pointed out that not all marinas are tarred with this brush). Indeed, as I complete this post, we are berthed alongside a long pontoon in Maine Yacht Center, poised to be hauled out of the water tomorrow morning, 27 June, as we head home to UK for 7 weeks for various family celebrations.

Round Pond: an ambition fulfilled

This morning, Thursday 23 August, we had a wildlife treat: not only seals, ospreys and bald eagles fishing around our boat but also a multitude of fishes jumping in the water all round Follyfin and further out. The surface of the sea was literally boiling, and this phenomenon was not a temporary thing as it continued before, during and after our breakfast right up until we weighed anchor at 10:30. Perhaps the name of the cove in which we had dropped anchor last evening provides the clue: Fish House Cove.

A different kind of treat came on Monday evening when Follyfin sailed into Round Pond, a full 35 years after that ambition was born. In 1983 we visited friends Vic and Midge in their very small recently acquired ‘cottage’ here. It had no electricity and was really very basic. In the intervening years they completely renovated and extended this cottage and made it into a wonderful family home to where they retired about 30 years ago. 

The wind and the weather the next day cooperated fully for our planned excursion on the water with Midge, her daughter Linda and her friend Laura (unfortunately Vic was not well enough to join us). After transferring them all to Follyfin by dinghy, we enjoyed a leisurely downwind sail in sunshine from Round Pond north up Muscongus Sound to Greenland Cove. The anchor was dropped and lunch was served on board. A good time was had by all until, just before the return passage back to Round Pond, Linda accidentally tripped and fell in the saloon of the boat (that b@#£*y step!). Despite hurting considerably we are sure, she put on a brave face once safely back on land. Hopefully her bruises will not entirely expunge any good memories of her excursion on the water.

A small beach near Greenland Cove had been the scene of Follyfin’s long awaited beaching the day before. After the 6 weeks she spent in the water in Boston, we wanted to check the underside of the hull and especially the propellor. Just as well we did!

Before (left) and after (right) cleaning

We had checked out the beach on land the day before, when we arrived in the area, to ensure there were no rocks that would damage Follyfin’s hull when the tide went down and left her on the beach. Skipper got up to his old beach combing tricks whilst I found some fascinating evidence of non-human visitors to this beach.

Now Follyfin is back on a mooring at the Dolphin Marina, near Harpswell, for another couple of nights on a mooring to allow us a final visit to our old friends Vic and Midge. Sparky the cat is entertaining us.

Kevin’s cruise Boston to Portland - one week in July

The target this week with Kevin was to make the Maine coast and explore a few islands on the way. We achieved both and provided Kevin with a different sailing ‘experience’ almost every day: no fog, no wind, motoring; fog, no wind, motoring; fog, little wind, motor-sailing; brilliant sunshine, no wind, motoring. Our itinerary included Rockport, New Hampshire, a delightful seaside town inhabited by artists and artisans, very reminiscent of St. Ives in Cornwall. We anchored off the beach and dinghied ashore to dine at The Blue Lobster on clam chowder, fresh fish and lobster. Heavy fog the following morning necessitated the diligent use of radar and AIS equipment en route to our next port of call: the Isles of Shoals, just 12 nm off the coast and so called because of the profusion of cod which used to inhabit the surrounding waters - alas long gone. Unfortunately it was impossible to admire the beauty of these small islands because of the thick fog. An early start was required on Tuesday for the longer passage up to Portland, the capital city of Maine. Bad weather and a north wind were also forecast for later in the day. For the first 6 hours we had F3 south winds and only encountered rain and fog for the final 3 hours. Luckily a mooring was awaiting us, generously lent by a fellow member of the OCC, so it was a relief to get moored and inside to dry off.

Wednesday was a rest day to reprovision and explore Portland, as well as sample more clam chowder. Excellent WiFi in the Public Library from where this post is being uploaded. WiFi is almost non-existent here and mobile signal is woefully poor, so one takes the opportunities when they arise. Thursday we ventured 10 nm out to Jewell Island, on the outer margin of Casco Bay. Again no wind but hot sun and calm sea. The anchorage is extremely attractive and consequently popular with the locals. Even midweek there were 6 sailing vessels (including Follyfin) and 3 motor launches anchored here.

A little excitement occurred just after Follyfin had dropped her anchor: a small motor launch arrived and dropped anchor nearby, only to discover it had hooked a lobster pot on the way in. Lobster pots are extremely numerous in these waters and are a permanent hazard to all vessels plying these waters, so it is not uncommon for the occasional one to be picked up on the prop or rudder of a passing vessel if the helmsman is not vigilant. Anyway, it was cut loose from that boat but the Skipper wanted to ensure any lobsters caught inside the cage did not perish, since the owner of the pot would know where it had gone. A couple of hours later, with a complicated arrangement of lines and pulleys, he managed to raise the cage out of the water.

There were two lobsters languishing in the cage but it being weighed down with a concrete block, it was much too heavy to bring up onto the boat in such a position to allow the release of the lobsters. Reluctantly Skipper let it sink back to the depths - we hope someone will alert the owner of the pot as to its whereabouts. 

Jewell Island is such a beautiful, tranquil spot, and the weather so settled, we decided to stay another day and explore the island. During WWII it was the site of two gun batteries with attendant watch towers, set up as part of the protection of Portland Harbour, it being the nearest port to warring Europeans at the time. Remnants of the huts, gun emplacements and associated paraphernalia litter the island which is otherwise completely unspoiled and uninhabited - quite delightful. And the panoramic view over the whole of Casco Bay from the tallest 8-storey tower is breathtaking; well worth the climb. All the walking and climbing, combined with the sparkling water and sunshine made a swim off the boat unavoidable - a most refreshing, not to say invigorating experience. Certainly a great deal colder than Caribbean or Bahamian waters. Siesta, sundowners and supper on deck followed in slow succession: as it should be.

Back to Portland tomorrow to drop off our crew and reprovision. Then we’ll be setting off eastwards to explore some of the more remote islands off the Maine coast.