The floating lifestyle has many benefits. There are the places you go, the things you see and the experiences you have, but the one thing that stands heads and shoulders above all are the people you meet and the friendships you form. Maine has once again been amazing for us but the most enjoyable thing above and beyond all others has been sailing with Tom & Mary Ann on "Christmas".

We were sailing with "Christmas" for the week and the activity to get her ready was frenetic. While we chilled on "Ruffian" Tom & Mary Ann ran around like headless chickens retiring from their dirt dwelling lifestyle to a floating one.

Sailing with "Christmas" pushed our limits in many ways. We left the safe confines of Rockport with the sun low in the sky and as we entered Pulpit Harbor, where you can see the best sunsets in Maine, the shadows of the rocks were long and framed the sun like nothing we have seen before. The only thing obscuring the sensational sunset were the plumes of smoke coming out of our exhaust.

Next morning, our limits were once again pushed as we sailed fully upwind and then through the close confines of a channel that is rimmed by islands all around. As we left and entered harbour with our engine purring, we kidded ourselves that there nothing was wrong with leaving a trail of smoke that obscured the sun and could ground planes.

After soliciting advice, the prognosis was not good. It all pointed to either a failed head gasket or blocked injectors and so we made for Rockport Marine where they could relieve us of any 'spare' piles of cash that we may have had lying around.

With the engineer taking a sharp intake of breath we prepared ourselves for the worst. Instead of coming up with an unfeasible number he came up with the unfeasible response of 'Hmmm. You got me there. I've got no idea.' Perplexed, we went back to basics and went through the A101 of engine trouble shooting. In no time we'd got to the root cause of the issue and Iain returned from the water with handfuls of weed recovered from the raw water inlet. Who ever knew that 'weed' could produce so much smoke?

Victorious, and smoke free, we returned to Perry Creek and were welcomed with a triumphant dinner of leftovers, by the unofficial 'Mayor of Perry Creek', on "Cloud Dancer". Our leftovers usually consist of manky cabbage leaves and cheese where the mould isn't present to enhance its flavour. "Cloud Dancer's" leftovers included lobsta's, steak and shrimp all cooked flambé style where the flambé flames lit up the anchorage.

Now playing catch up to "Christmas", they had a 20 mile head start and the finish line was beckoning. We once again pushed our limits with Iain hiking over the guardrails instead of up hills. We sailed upwind and crossed the imaginary finish line without "Christmas" in sight. It may have been our outstanding sailing ability, Iain's hiking, or it could have been that we had a 4 hour advantage and were rather secretive about our start time and ETA.

"Ruffian" was once again abandoned for the evening as we decamped to "Christmas" for more amazing food and company. As we tucked into the hors d'ouvres Larry felt somewhat outnumbered and outgunned by the terrier duo of Tommie and Daisy. Thankfully Larry is used to big days on the water but poor Tommie and Daisy were zonkoed after doing their bit helping get "Christmas" to Blue Hill.

Blue Hill, as the name would suggest is the home of a big hill. No longer blue as all the blueberries have been eaten but it's certainly a hill and as usual we set out to scale its heady heights. Tommie and Daisy were revitalised and ran around like only manic terriers can, not aware of the hill that towered over them. Up and up we went and the unending views got better and better. Far below us in the bay we could see "Ruffian" and "Christmas", while on land white church spires peeked majestically above the trees that covered the landscape.

The views didn't need to go on forever for us to see a big scar in the landscape. The town's fairground was devoid of trees and in their place were delights that had to be sampled. There was a full on dukes of hazard, hillbilly style, country show in full effect which was next on the list of new amazing experiences.

Racing the daylight & "Christmas" into Pulpit Harbor.


"Christmas" wins the race by taking a cheeky shortcut (and starting first).


We win the race and are rewarded with a great sunset.


We don't think that's a sign of a happy engine.


He's got some sail up and some.


"Christmas" turned around to give us a chance.


"Thug" & "Eve" playing nicely together.


Perry Creek and Tom's secret mooring.


True blue. MA produces a pie to turn your mouth blue.


More sailing in sunshine. We love it.


We resort to every racing tactic to get in front of "Christmas". Iain even starts hiking.


All the fun of the fair.


The romp was worth the view.


But there are always more ups.


"Ruffian", "Christmas" and friends.