Portland, Maine

A short overnight trip to Portland, Maine. A pretty town on the coast. Lots of fishing going on - particularly for lobsters. An entry point for immigrants in the 19th century and a main refuelling base for ships in WW2. Lots of wooden buildings of course but also many of brick. 

These painted areas are to safeguard children walking to and from the nearby nursery school

In the evening Gudrun and I met up with Mary Jane for a lovely meal at this restaurant. Followed of course by ice cream. This time 'boccia', chocolate with hazelnut pieces.

The next day we went down to the harbour and took a 3 hour round trip on one of the ferries plying the route between Portland and the islands of Casco Bay. Note the lobster pot buoys hanging along the dock. The ferry had to do a lot of avoiding these out in the bay. Each boat has its own colour scheme for its buoys.

Most of the islands have a small year round population that is augmented in summer by those filling the holiday homes. A couple have schools with around 5 pupils. Once they reach upper primary they have to make a long daily commute off the island.

The ferry was flying the flag of the local soccer team

Fort Gorges dating from the mid eighteenth century

One of the ferries

Later in the day we walked down to the Portland Head lighthouse and finished off with a swim in the nearby Kettle Cove. Very salty and buoyant. Great for cooling off. The temperature hit 100 degrees Fahrenheit on the way home.