Feeling rather jealous as I still haven't finished my row across the Pond (started when Siobhan moved to Maine). Expect me in about 6 months. I'm making better speed since I got rid of the tiger and will really be ready for that bowl of soup.

Well when you get here at last, you will find a warm welcome from any of us here!

Vee, Maine is exquisite at this time of year, but I am not sure you would wish to be there in mid-winter.

Hello all, my sign-on problems have prevented me from posting until now! Yes indeed, we had a lovely day on the coast of Maine and it was a pleasure and a privilege to meet the Three Sisters, two of whom are long-time members here.

Actually Vee, we talked about crossing the pond from our direction and descending upon you and Dido, so be careful - if you hear a knock on your door, it just may be several Americans bearing books and strange accents!

As usual upon entering the used bookstore attached to my library, I purchased something which turned out to be so compelling that I couldn't put it down and finished it in less than two days. Must have been the company!

Siobhan, you have a very nice used book store there. I didn't happen to find anything for myself, but Rosefolly did!

As it happened, we found another book store on the way home where I picked up an Elswyth Thane book I thought I didn't have. I was missing one book in the Williamsburg series and thought this was it but when I got home I realized I already had this one so I still need the missing one. Oh well, I'll keep searching.

rouan, have you tried abe.com? Or do you prefer to search bookstores for yourself?

This thread reminds me of how much fun it was to meet you and rosefolly and your sisters at our Jane Austen festival last year.

Carolyn,

I will probably end up using Abe books to find the Elswyth Thane one I'm missing. It's the hunt through the physical bookstore that makes it more fun to find treasures but there is a time to give up and order online and I think I've gotten there.

Yes, Rosefolly and I really enjoyed meeting you last year. We had a good time at the festival and meeting you there was the icing on the cake!

Sorry to be so late in checking in. I'm back home now myself (have been for several days).

I want to second my thanks, along with Rouan, for the wonderful day we spent with Siobhan. We enjoyed visiting the exceptional botanical garden at Boothbay Harbor, a lovely two-hour harbor cruise on a schooner, and (of course) a visit to a local bookstore. In fact I am completely impressed with all the bookstores we saw. They are all over the place! At first I thought it was because we were in a tourist area, but later as we moved away from the coast, the bookstores continued to pop up every few miles. Our mother used to complain about the lack of bookstores where we lived near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. If this was what she had been used to growing up, no wonder she thought she had moved to a literary desert. I understand that the number of stores is down considerably from what it was a couple of decades ago, but even so, it is like nothing I have ever seen.

I want to mention the most impressive used book store we encountered. It is called Homestead Books, and it is located along the highway in Marlborough, NH. Huge selection of older books. Many used bookstores are primarily recent publications. This store had those, too, but lots and lots of older books, even early 20th century series fiction. I had a blast.

I have now had the privilege of meeting several RPers, Jankin, Carolyn KY, Sarah Canary and now Siobhan. Each and every one has been a delight; warm, welcoming, interesting, and hospitable. Those of us in the roses corner of Gardenweb meet each other frequently at various garden-related events, as well as in our own gardens, so I am well aware that friendships that begin online can blossom in the Real World.

Rosefolly

Just received two post cards from my VA US cousin holidaying in Maine. One of Monhegan Island and the other from Ocean Point E Boothbay. She says they are her favourite places and she and her DH ( a New Englander) try and visit every year. I must ask her about the book shops. She even enjoys the rough sea on the boat crossing!
Siobhan, I'm listening out for the knock on the door and will have the kettle on in readiness.

Vee, your cousin was right in my neck of the woods, quite literally! Maybe we ran into each other in the coffee shop.

I'm very fond of PG Tips but honestly I'm not choosy. Will bring books.

I have driven through all 48 lower states and vacationed in Maine many times. Maine is my favorite state and I wish I could have afforded to move there when I retired. I love every inch of the state! The best states all have salt water beaches. I was born In CT and grew up in Stratford, a town on Long Island Sound.