Island Life in Maine.

Mandalay
Robin & Jenny Martin
Tue 6 Sep 2011 18:00
Since setting off from Somes Sound we've visited the two nicest small islands in Maine - Long Island and Monhegan Island. Very much small island communities split between the year round locals and the 2nd home fraternity. The one couldn't survive without the other and although the occasional rift occurs between them they are making a great job of keeping the islands a going concern with a good mix of tourism and fishing. The summer visitors helping to pay for the school and other Island essentials. They remind me of the early days holidaying on the Isle of Arran in Scotland with the 'get away from it all feeling' being across the sea and it is like entering another time warp. Very relaxing with a nice slow and friendly pace of life but with all the amenities and activities you could want. The off shore store in Frenchboro, Long Island made the most amazing lobster rolls with fresh bread and beers round the back because they were not meant to sell it. The walk around Monhegan was special too with lots of different vegetation and spectacular views, we even found a lobster buoy which was washed up.
Then on we went on our trail back down west[not down east anymore] and a rough sea so we put into the Sheepscot River and Five Islands harbour to shelter. Next day onto Boothbay Harbour to re provision and met up again with Sue and Bob on Mawari and Anthony and Celia on Tomia who are also going west and south. The summer seems to finish here after Labor Day although there is still lots to see and do with the change in the seasons fast approaching. The second storm is still heading this way so we will take it slowly with lots of bolt holes to nip into down the coast.

Photos;
Frenchboro - for the BEST lobster rolls.
The tide still needs to be taken into account even when it's only 10 ft.
Frenchboro harbour.
2 more fungi for Phillipa.
Beautiful Monhegan.
Buoyage in Townsend Gut.
A closer look at No 7 with it's nesting ospreys.

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