Amazing hospitality, Incredible Percy Pigs and Hungry Mosquitoes

I have arrived in Maine and so far so good! Sallie flew back with me so we would have more time to discuss our teaching assignments and she would have more time to pack. It has been great getting to meet all her friends and famiy. They have given me a brilliant start to my year in Maine.
Saturday morning saw me ticking off item 1 on my to do list...proper American pancakes with maple syrup! Yum, yum, yum.

Breakfast with Sallie's family. Blueberry pancakes and Maine's very own maple syrup.

We then went to the beach for the afternoon and, when taking an evening stroll in the waves, stumbled upon an illumination evening in Orchard Park. Members of the community were lighting candles on the beach with a prayer for peace. It looked beautiful...what a moment to not have the camera on me. The town's people were all out and about and had lights all over their houses and in their front 'yards' (check out my American lingo). There were even bagpipers parading the main street! As well as all this, there was an AMAZING ice cream shop open for business. For those of you who share my ice cream obsession, I had 'moose tracks', a delicious combination of vanilla, fudge swirls and peanut butter cups!! Yum Yum Yum again!!

There's also this amazing ice cream shop close by called 'Toots' where I have also been a customer.

Luckily for my waist line, it closes in the winter and I have been shown the best place to run in town by Sallie's son Andrew. There are some fantastic cross country trails through the woods and around football fields. A slight reminder of my beloved Abington Park.

On Sunday I felt a little homesick - thank goodness for bringing a bag of Percy Pigs with me and being able to listen to the Archers omnibus...sad I know. A world away from the looting. If Anbridge comes under attack, I'll know the world has gone completely and utterly crazy. I soon snapped out of it though as I had a party to go to. I met lots of Sallie's friends in the local community (who had all arranged play dates with me) and teachers from school. They have told me to think of my wing in the building as Bliss - this should help to make it feel less huge. Another fantastic welcome!

I have visited my new classroom and think I'm going to like it there even without an interactive whiteboard! Heaps to learn and get my head round before school starts. I'm currently in denial as I'm enjoying being a tourist too much. I was taken to see "Edward Hopper's Maine" at Bowdoin college in Brunswick. He spent some time painting in Maine during WWI and did some incredible landscapes in oils and watercolours. Here is one of my favourites...



The Dories, Oguquit

I've also been trying to get to grips with car buying over here. I have found it hilarious as my idea of a small car does not match up with an American view of a small car. Ford Kas just don't exist out here. I think i've got something sorted so will post a picture of me with my monster machine. Test driving on the other side of the road has been fun - a white knuckle ride for those willing to jump into the passenger seat. I only forgot to look the other way when turning left once, forgetting about the need to cross a lane of traffic first. Whoopsy daisy! Luckily there was nothing coming...

Whilst I did survive the driving, I have been eaten alive by mosquitoes. A note for anyone coming to visit, bring the repellent. I honestly have about 40 bites on my ankles, legs, back, arms and even on places it would be undignified to mention. Banish them to room 101 please!

xxx