If you want to really learn about Maine….listen to this
There is a part 2 as well. Used to listen to them when I was a kid in the 70s.

 

Brilliant Marko. Positively brilliant! The story which starts at 10:14 sounds exactly like any of us. And I mean…exactly.

As it happens I also have by my bedside the lovely book which DJS gifted me over the holidays, “Chickens, Gin, and a Maine Friendship; The Correspondence of E.B. White and Edmund Ware Smith”, witty and charming letters between two literary giants.

There is a mystique surrounding Maine which I have enjoyed for much of the last 24 years—and as many of you have also experienced over the last 6 years (and 7 events)—and when I informed many of my business associates that I was moving to Maine almost 24 years ago they ALL were envious and ALL said, “oh, Maine is so gorgeous” to which I replied, “oh, so you’ve [obviously] been there?” and each and every man and woman had the same reply, “no”.

 

I'm from the sunny Gold Coast, Australia but I feel as though I know a little about Maine from the books of John Connolly which are fantastically descriptive. Connolly himself is Irish, but the Charlie Parker series is set largely in Maine. Here is his site if you are interested, though I didnt enjoy the most recent book in the series at all and is the first of the series that i didnt read at least twice, in fact I barely persevered to finish it: https://www.johnconnollybooks.com/

 

For several years we rented a spot in Wells beach every summer. You only meet "summer people" though. I've always thought of Maine as 2 states. Coastal and inland.
Non-local people story: One time, the kids wanted to ride the trolley in Ogunquit. We're hanging around one of the stops, I'm talking to a guy from the playhouse, all is cool, the kids are antsy so I go to the curb to look down the street for the trolley. There's a couple walking towards me and the wife nudges her husband and says, "there's another one". Non-locals. 2 states.

 

Thank you for the recommendation. Although being a huge jazz fan, when I think of Charlie Parker I think of “Bird”. I’ll check these out, despite my book queue rather long.

You’re not that wrong. Unless you were born in Maine you are not considered a Mainer. Being from NYC you might imagine what “Mainers” might think of me? (They’re also not wrong). Nevertheless living most of the year in Maine for the past 24 years I can tell you—as any attendee of any of the past 7 events will attest to—there are some great people, both from Maine and “away”, here.

It’s an easy lifestyle and the State motto; “Maine, Life As It Should Be”. I couldn’t agree more.

P.S. It’s funny but I came across the video one of the attendees took from his GoPro which was attached to his car during the 2017 Jaguar F-Type Lobster Run and rewatched it yesterday. (None of us knew he was recording). It reminded me, as DJS’s outstanding photographic skills does from all events, how enjoyable hosting these events has been; and continues to be. I contemplated posting the 26 minute video (he actually turned it into a short film) here but it features one or two minor*** “incriminating” features. And, as Mbourne said to me yesterday—I shared the video with Unhingd, MBourne and DJS (all have seen it before)—“discretion is the better part of valor”.

***I take it back. Minor my a$$. DJS JUST sent me—and Unhingd and Mbourne—an e-mail epitomizing the very definition of incriminating. No way can these be viewed by the general public. Even if they put a huge smile on my face. You will just have to take my word for it. Thanks DJS!

 

My acquaintance in Maine who hosted the event I attended moved there from out of state, but seemed to fit in with the locals. It might have been the fact that he's easy-going, and took over a business selling repair parts and such for lobster traps. He told of an overheard conversation where someone said something about non-Mainers and a real local spoke up.

"Well, I remember when you moved here, only 30 years ago. You're not native."
"My children were born here though., That makes them native."
"My cat had kittens in the oven, but that don't make 'em biscuits."

 

Mainers sound a bit like our Yorkshire folk, but more polite and reasonable. I've never understood the concept of the "proud Yorkshireman" - I can understand being proud of one's achievements, but to consider an accident of birth to be a proud-worthy achievement? Hmm.

 

As this is allegedly the Photo thread, here’s a photo (which coincidentally is from Maine)…

 

Blizzard? What’s a blizzard?

Went for a spin just now. And thanks to DJS for reminding me that this is a picture thread!

 

Proof positive the F-Type looks fabulous in all conditions.

The perfect car for a supermarket run.

 

Looks like you got a little dusting of snow there. I will stay tuned for photos when the snow is above the exhaust tips - now that’s a party.

 

A deliberate one or an inadvertent one?

 

Yes!

 

Or chocolate. I'm fortunate to have a place about 20 miles away that has truly handmade chocolate. They even grind the cacao themselves. Mom wanted to join for the drive so it was more sedate than it otherwise would have been but the weather was nice. I should have stopped for a picture, but it was hazy and the view over the Bay was unimpressive.

So I don't adulterate the Picture Post thread with just text, I've dredged this up from the past. Not much rain recently.

 

Keeping it warm

 

Love the snow in the tailpipes.

 

 

Beautiful car and nice photos VroomForTwo. The pics really illustrate how in the shade, the BRG color looks very traditional. But get it out in the bright sunshine and the Xirallic paint just absolutely sparkles and comes alive. It is very chameleon-like.

 

Thank you!

 

Newly joined member although I've had the car for almost a year now. This is a picture I took the day I got her.