The Lords Cove Cottage is nestled among woods, fields and the sea. The beach near us is a mix of sandy beach, rocky beach and mussel beds. (Here there is a free lunch. If you don't know how to prepare mussels, well be happy to show you.) From the shore we see loons, herons, and an occasional seal, but rarely another human on our beach.

Five minutes away by car is the lovely village of South Brooksville, home to the world's best little store, offering hearty European breads baked on the spot daily, a fine wine selection, plenty of yummy pastries, and a delightful cafe. If you're here in July and August, you can catch the steel drum band that plays outside the store every other Monday night. If you're not here on steel drum night in Brooksville, you can probably find them playing somewhere nearby.

It's also home to Bucks Harbor, gateway to some of the finest sailing on the East Coast. If the view from the shore tempts you, schooners regularly offer both day trips and extended trips. If you have canoes or kayaks, you can launch from at any tide on a beach just 3 minutes away by car.

Twenty minutes further takes you to Blue Hill, which has my favorite Maine art gallery, with a wonderful outdoor sculpture garden. And if your favorite book just fell into the ocean, head for Blue Hill Books, a much nicer experience than shopping at Borders.

The cottage is perfect for a couple, but can handle more. There's one very comfy double bed, a second okay bed (actually it's a mattress on a box spring on the floor. Little kids love it.) There's also a small sofa that opens into a small double, and a futon downstairs that could turn into a bed. There are reading lights for the beds. The bathroom has a shower, but not a tub. Linens and towels are provided.

The kitchen is well-equipped, with a coffee maker, teakettle, dishes, glasses, wine glasses, basic pots and pans, a strainer, grater, knives, scissors, corkscrew, can opener and, of course, sink, stove, and fridge. You may want to bring a radio, TV and/or cell phone. There is a phone for local call and calling card call. DSL is available for your computer.

Our weeks go from Saturday at 2 pm to the following Saturday at 11 am. For visitors new to Maine, be advised that both summer and fall here can be sweltering and/or cold (sometimes both on the same day). We recommend that our guests come with both hot and cold weather clothes.

Directions for getting to the Bryans: Take I-95 to Augusta, take 202 through Augusta, following signs to Belfast, (#3 is the route going all the way to Belfast, but you'll also be on 202 and 9 part of the way). In Belfast, turn left onto 1, heading toward Searsport and Bucksport. Continue on 1. When you get to Bucksport, you'll cross two bridges. After the second bridge you'll come to a T. Turn right and you'll be on 1, 3 and 15. Go about 3 miles to a little convenience store where 15 goes off to the right. Follow 15 for about 5 miles until you come to 199. (There's only one sign indicating 199, so you really need to be on the look-out for it.) Go right onto 199, and go another 5 miles or so, until you come to another T. Turn left there, onto 175. In another 5 miles or so you'll come to a store and farm stand -- C & G's -- where 176 joins 175. Turn right. Go 1 mile to a T and turn right, continuing on 176. Go about 3 miles, staying on 176 until you come to the Parsonage RD. (If you get to a pretty white church on the left, you've gone too far. Turn around and you'll see the Parsonage RD, now on your left.) Assuming you didn't miss the sign for the Parsonage Road, turn right onto the Parsonage Rd, and cross the Wharf Rd. You're now on a dirt road which is the Reynolds RD. We're the first driveway on the right, with a red roof that you can't miss. The cottage is near-by.

If you decide to rent the cottage we will need a deposit of one half the weekly rent. Let us know your intentions by email or phone and we can pencil you in for that week. Your deposit will secure your reservation. Our address is:
Gerry & Jackie Bryan
61 Reynolds Road
Brooksville, ME 04617