Dartmouth, England
After a very gentle first night on board Endeavour we awoke to a lazy breakfast while sailing the surprisingly calm waters of the English Channel en route for the first port of call on our 14-day odyssey. The sun was shining and the waters glistened as we headed for historic Dartmouth.
The day at sea was filled with activity. Following breakfast there was the compulsory SOLAS (Safety Of Lives At Sea) lifeboat drill. The Captain advised us that this was a drill and issued orders for us to dress warmly, collect our life vests and head for our muster station in the main lounge. Here we were accounted for before being lead out to our relevant lifeboat where the lifeboat officers explained what would happen next in a real emergency. All questions were answered and we had a chance to see the boats being lowered.
Following the lifeboat drill Bob, hotel manager, gave those of us who were interested an explanatory session on how to get the most from the ship’s e-mail system. It is similar to the shore-based systems most of us are used to but Bob made clear some of the differences and how to deal with them.
The well-known Lindblad educational program commenced this morning when our resident geologist, Dr Jim Kelley, gave an illustrated talk “Rocks in Action: Geological Evolution of the British Isles”. Here we learned not only the fascinating geological transformations, ages and changes which have shaped these islands as they are today but also a little bit about the history of the science of geology. Jim will be pointing out interesting formations as we voyage around the British Isles and this introductory talk helped set the basis for understanding this important scientific discipline.
Following an excellent buffet-style lunch our Expedition Leader, Larry Prussin, announced that we had been making excellent headway since leaving London and we would be picking up the pilot for Dartmouth harbour ahead of schedule at 14:00. As we approached the coastline the slight sea fog started to clear and we could make out the narrow entrance to the River Dart dead ahead. Once the pilot was on board we inched slowly forward and Steve Blamires, historian, gave a commentary as we passed Dartmouth Castle, St Petrox Church and the other important sites of Dartmouth which we could clearly see before us.
Being early we were able to enjoy a few hours ashore in this picturesque little Devon town before the Captain’s Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party. Joining us for this pleasant soiree were the Mayor and Deputy Mayoress of Dartmouth with the Sergeant of the Mace who is always in attendance when the Mayor travels with his regalia of office. Also honoring us with their presence were the Commodore and his 2nd in command from Britannia Royal Naval College. Endeavour has established strong relations with this important sea-faring community and, as always, we enjoyed our first half-day here in Dartmouth. And tomorrow we have a whole day to explore the town further or head out of town to enjoy the wonderful wildlife and historic sites should we wish!
After a very gentle first night on board Endeavour we awoke to a lazy breakfast while sailing the surprisingly calm waters of the English Channel en route for the first port of call on our 14-day odyssey. The sun was shining and the waters glistened as we headed for historic Dartmouth.
The day at sea was filled with activity. Following breakfast there was the compulsory SOLAS (Safety Of Lives At Sea) lifeboat drill. The Captain advised us that this was a drill and issued orders for us to dress warmly, collect our life vests and head for our muster station in the main lounge. Here we were accounted for before being lead out to our relevant lifeboat where the lifeboat officers explained what would happen next in a real emergency. All questions were answered and we had a chance to see the boats being lowered.
Following the lifeboat drill Bob, hotel manager, gave those of us who were interested an explanatory session on how to get the most from the ship’s e-mail system. It is similar to the shore-based systems most of us are used to but Bob made clear some of the differences and how to deal with them.
The well-known Lindblad educational program commenced this morning when our resident geologist, Dr Jim Kelley, gave an illustrated talk “Rocks in Action: Geological Evolution of the British Isles”. Here we learned not only the fascinating geological transformations, ages and changes which have shaped these islands as they are today but also a little bit about the history of the science of geology. Jim will be pointing out interesting formations as we voyage around the British Isles and this introductory talk helped set the basis for understanding this important scientific discipline.
Following an excellent buffet-style lunch our Expedition Leader, Larry Prussin, announced that we had been making excellent headway since leaving London and we would be picking up the pilot for Dartmouth harbour ahead of schedule at 14:00. As we approached the coastline the slight sea fog started to clear and we could make out the narrow entrance to the River Dart dead ahead. Once the pilot was on board we inched slowly forward and Steve Blamires, historian, gave a commentary as we passed Dartmouth Castle, St Petrox Church and the other important sites of Dartmouth which we could clearly see before us.
Being early we were able to enjoy a few hours ashore in this picturesque little Devon town before the Captain’s Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party. Joining us for this pleasant soiree were the Mayor and Deputy Mayoress of Dartmouth with the Sergeant of the Mace who is always in attendance when the Mayor travels with his regalia of office. Also honoring us with their presence were the Commodore and his 2nd in command from Britannia Royal Naval College. Endeavour has established strong relations with this important sea-faring community and, as always, we enjoyed our first half-day here in Dartmouth. And tomorrow we have a whole day to explore the town further or head out of town to enjoy the wonderful wildlife and historic sites should we wish!
