30 minute shout :)

CC3 requires that you click to place nodes, or to start and end a Freehand Sketch line. It's not an app where you can just draw things with a constant line without any clicking, so the motion of the pen in CC3 is more tapping than drawing. This isn't the way other apps work with a tablet, so it can take a lot of getting used to if you've used tablets in other apps before now.

It might be a good idea to see if you can borrow a tablet from a friend just to see if you feel comfortable with the way it works in CC3 before you make any purchase.

As for user manuals, most tablets come with their own software including a startup and settings assistant. Even my little Wacom has such things despite being the second smallest and cheapest one on the market.

Oh yes, I see. I got the wrong end of the stick again. Sorry!

In answer to the actual concern you have about the regional borders - you should be able to draw them and trace the coastline just as before. The trace tool will pick up the edge of the cutout polygon as easily as it picked up the land polygon in your earlier map.

If you get stuck and I'm not around there will undoubtedly be help from others. I'm not the only person who can work this out with you :)

No problem. I do tend to continue thinking about things. It's a sort of natural progression of thought.

When you get as far as adding symbols there may be a problem with getting rid of the white bits, but there are at least two ways around that.

I have to go out for a little while right now, so I'm hoping I've given you enough to be getting on with for an hour or two.