Last night was an extraordinary beginning to our expedition: Sailing down the River Thames, under the Tower Bridge, crossing the prime meridian (taking us into the Eastern Hemisphere), and passing through the Thames Barrier. Entering the Strait of Dover and, eventually, the English Channel, we enjoyed smooth seas as we made our way towards Portsmouth.
Fog and gentle rain greet us this morning on our approach to Portsmouth harbor, the Isle of Wight off of our port side, Portsmouth off of our starboard. The fog lifts at times, allowing us views of the 560-foot-high Spinnaker Tower, a landmark overlooking the harbor and the city.
As the fog lifts and the rain abates, morning explorations take us in a variety of directions. Nature enthusiasts head to Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve, a marshland, in search of birdlife. We are rewarded with plenty of good views, including nesting black-headed gulls, oystercatchers, shelducks, bar-tailed godwits, and a rare sighting of a Caspian stonechat. HMS Victory is, for most of us, the highlight of the visit to the Historical Dockyard Museum. Launched in 1765, she is the oldest naval vessel still in commission. Best known as the flagship for Vice-admiral Lord Nelson during the critical battle of Trafalgar in 1805, Victory, had a long and distinguished history during the preceding three decades. Still others visited the Historic Boatbuilding Workshop. This is an active teaching facility where historic wooden boats, both military and civilian, are restored.
By the afternoon skies continue to clear. Our walking tour of Southsea and Portsmouth focuses on the centuries of military fortifications constructed to protect this important naval center from invaders, mainly the French. Winchester is the destination for the great majority of us. Impressive Winchester Cathedral is the centerpiece of this visit. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Jane Austin is among the luminaries buried in the cathedral.
As National Geographic Explorer prepares to cast off for tomorrow’s explorations, we enjoy our lively first evening Recap. After meeting the three Grosvenor Teaching Fellows and learning about this important program, topics include local geology and a beginning look at the ethnic groups inhabiting these islands.
Global Perspectives guest speaker, John Bruton, former prime minister of Ireland and former ambassador from the European Union to the U. S., begins our presentation series, after dinner. This brings to an end our first day of fruitful explorations.
