In just three days we have sailed a remarkable distance from Scotland to the south coast of England. Not only have we covered a vast distance but we have also experienced an array of what the British Isles has to offer—from the unique city of Edinburgh to the quaint and quintessentially British Holy Island, and the incredible archaeological site of Sutton Hoo. All the while our journey has been peppered with fabulous cuisine courtesy of world-famous chef Serge Dansereau, of the Bather’s Pavilion in Sydney.
This morning as the National Geographic Explorer arrived into the historic town of Portsmouth, on the south coast of England, we had no shortage of options for our day ahead. A few of our guests left the ship early to visit Titchfield Haven Birding Reserve, but the majority of us took the opportunity to soak up the architecture, history, and local fares in Winchester. From castles to cathedrals, and with pubs dotted along characteristically old British streets, this small and ancient city offered a wonderful insight into the charm and rich history of England.
Those who opted to stay in Portsmouth also had the chance to soak up some of England’s rich history, albeit with a more maritime flare, with a visit to the Historic Dockyards. Just a short distance from the present-day dockyards this remarkable place is an amalgamation of intriguing museums, including the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the HMS Victory, which is a living museum to the Georgian Navy. Wandering around Lord Nelson’s flagship we had the chance to acquire a sense of what life might have been like for the sailors on board this vessel as they approached the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Stepping off the beautifully restored HMS Victory we felt rather more appreciative of our spacious cabins and fine cuisine on board the National Geographic Explorer.
Another highlight of the Historic Dockyards was the chance to see the newly exhibited Mary Rose, which was Henry VIII’s preferred warship. This ancient vessel sank near Portsmouth in 1545, but was raised from the waters 34 years ago after a painstaking effort to preserve what was left of this stately vessel. It is the only 16th-century warship on display anywhere in the world, and as we peered down from the viewing galleries and browsed the genuine artifacts on display we were transported back in time. Everyone who visited this museum concurred it was an extraordinary exhibition.
We sailed away from Portsmouth in the evening. After tucking into another stunning and scrumptious dinner, courtesy of Serge and the skilled Galley team, we enjoyed the comforts and luxuries on board as we look forward to more adventures.
