We left Yarmouth on October 9th at 2am and had a great sail to Southwest Harbour on Mount Desert Island, Maine, arriving about 4pm. Once we had tied up at the Lower Town dock, we walked up to the Coast Guard building to use their phone to contact Customs for clearing in. Our Canadian simcard didn't work here which was something the Customs officer didn't understand and he gave Phil an earful until the Coast Guard chief took the phone and suggested we were doing our best to clear in. Next day found us still sitting on the boat so back to the Coastguard and another call. Tomorrow they promised, about noon. Well, the next day no Customs officer turned up so this time we offered to rent a car and drive there the following day. After being told not to leave our boat on arrival, they were happy to let us do this.
I was feeling a little nervous arriving without a visa but knowing they had mucked us around for 3 days and were feeling pretty embarrassed, we told them how we had been unable to even get an appointment in Nova Scotia. They gave us a 6 month visa and cruising permit at no cost. They also told us we could have driven over the border or taken a ferry with our Estas (visa waivers), returned to the boat, sailed into the States and stayed 3 months...a little known loophole in the system.
Luckily we had met a lovely local family who let us leave Windora on their mooring and drove us to collect the car. We were off to Gloucester for Paul's farewell gathering after seeing Customs. By the time we had cleared in it was 4pm so we stayed in Portland with his brother and drove on to Gloucester the following morning. Meeting all of his friends and family was fun. People were pleased to meet "the Kiwis" who had been such a big part of Paul's life.
We stayed in Paul's house for 2 nights and caught up with friends. It had been 19 years since we had last been there.
We love Maine and this is our third time here but we had never seen it in Autumn. Driving around for several days was a real treat and catching up with more friends filled our days with lots of talking and good food. We had to move the boat to the head of Somes Sound for a few days to sit out a serious blow, then headed off to Center Harbor, home of Brooklin Boat Yard where we caught up with Steve White. The yard had grown a lot in 20 years and employed 60+ people which was great for the community. We decided to allow more time in this area to spend with friends and will start to move a bit faster when we get further south.
Back in 2011 we sailed over to Tasmania for the Wooden Boat Show and while anchored in one of the southernmost spots we met a couple, Guy and Karen, from Maine. They were really surprised to hear that we had anchored in their bay years ago and invited us for a meal onboard their yacht "Szel". We were able to return the favor when we anchored off their summer cottage in Smiths Cove which they have had for 35 years. Special people, like everyone we have met here over the years.
Tide out, tide in....
Motoring in to say goodbye after 3 nights in the cove, sitting out another blow, and doing some nice walking. Seems there is a good blow/storm every week at this time of the year.
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