Britain & Ireland - Noble Caledonia

More documents

Recommendations

Info

SOME EXTRACTS FROM OUR PAST SHIP LOGS: OCEAN NOVA Friday 29 April 2011 St Kilda Our day started with a 07:20 wake up call. Louis was so pleased with the beautiful morning that he couldn’t wait until 07:30 to wake everyone! St. Kilda was the most anticipated landing of the entire voyage. For some people on board, this was a childhood dream realized. What could be better than St. Kilda combined with perfect weather? We went ashore for a morning of birding, hiking and sight-seeing. The place is a photographers dream; historical stone buildings, birds, elevated views of the ship and bay, rock mounds in the hundreds and general landscape. After our perfect morning we had a perfect lunch. A barbeque on the top decks - Chicken, steak, pork, sausages, salads, various veggies and hot mulled wine. Our hotel staff had been working hard in our absence and it was greatly appreciated by everyone. We sat in the sun on our ship, the MV Ocean Nova and enjoyed an amazing meal at one of the most remarkable locations on earth. After lunch we went for a Zodiac cruise along the coast of the Isle of Dun. Cruising along the sea bird colonies was magical. Rocky caverns and archways punctuated the shoreline. The air was busy with birds. Hundreds of Puffins rested at sea while hundreds more filled the sky, along with Fulmars, Guillemots, Razor-bills, Kittiwakes, Skuas and Gannets. The air and sea were alive with birds. “We had an enjoyable visit and cruise at Handa island. Fabulous bird life and scenery. Conditions were favourable enough to allow circumnavigation of Great Handa stack by Zodiac. There was dramatic activity and many passengers were overwhelmed by the experience. Having lead Zodiac cruises in many wonderful destinations all around the world I would say with no exaggeration that yesterday and today’s Zodiac cruise are as good as I have ever experienced. “ — Niall Johnson, Expedition Leader Page 4 • 020-7752 0000 Protea, Abbey Gardens Seabird The Abbey, Iona Exploring St Kilda Read the full cruise logs plus many more at travelpost.noble-caledonia.co.uk MS ISLAND SKY Saturday 4 June 2011 Inverewe, Tanera Mor (Summer Isles) Overnight we had sailed back from St Kilda and round the northern end of the island of Lewis. Early morning saw us steaming across a calm sea and into position off the island of Tanera Mor, the only inhabited island of the Summer Isles. After breakfast we disembarked and took the short Zodiac ride across to the jetty. A short walk took us to the local tea room which doubles as a post office for the locally-produced stamps, which proved a big hit. The more energetic climbed up the roadway and across the heather-covered peat to the top of the island, for breathtaking views across the summer Isles, the adjacent mainland, and, clearly visible in the distance, the Outer Hebrides. We headed north, and had a wonderful barbecue lunch on the Lido deck as we sailed into Loch Ewe and anchored in the channel near the jetty at Inverewe Gardens. This was another sheltered spot and we arrived at the garden’s jetty via zodiac, then met informative local guides for a walk through the gardens. What a magnificent place! We wandered through the narrow wooded pathways, enjoying the plants and trees, including the last of the rhododendrons, culminating in a novel walled garden. There was so much to see and some of us came away with some new ideas to try in our own gardens. We stopped at several lovely lookouts to take in the views of the surrounding hillsides and mountains. “I have never seen so many seals in one place around the UK as we had on the sandy beach at Mingulay, well over 1,000. The ranger who is spending time there said that there had been closer to 2,000 the day before….We landed on the rocks at the south end of the beach to avoid disturbing the seals. “ — Laurie Dexter, Expedition Leader
EXPEDITION TEAM Our cruises are led by a highly experienced expedition team, including guest speakers. For each voyage, we carefully select the best experts in their field, who will lead you every step of the way with their knowledge and enthusiasm. These may include ornithologists, naturalists, marine biologists as well as Zodiac drivers and expedition leaders. Through onboard briefings, informal presentations, whilst accompanying you ashore and on Zodiac excursions, they will share their in depth knowledge of the wildlife, landscape and natural and cultural history of the region. Judith Black – Naturalist/Zodiac Driver Judith was born on the west coast of Scotland and raised in the English Home Counties. After obtaining a BA Honours degree in International Business Studies from Sheffield Hallam University, she pursued a successful career in international corporate sales. In 2008 she started work for the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust and spent four and a half months stationed at Port Lockroy, the first British base to be established on the Peninsula. Judith continues her career as part of expedition teams aboard cruise ships and is a keen wildlife photographer. Judith will be aboard Ocean Nova on Bird Quest – 2nd to 10th May 2013, Bird Islands – 10th to 19th May 2013 and Lost Islands – 19th to 26th May 2013 Alan Borg – Guest Speaker Alan started his career teaching in American universities. In 1970 he joined the Royal Armouries in the Tower of London and in 1978 he was appointed the first Keeper of the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts at the University of East Anglia. In 1982 he became Director General of the Imperial War Museum, and in 1996 was appointed Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum. He is currently Librarian of the Order of St John and St John Ambulance and Vice-President of the Foundling Museum. Alan will be aboard Sea Cloud II on Sailing to the Isles – 22nd July to 2nd August 2014 Dr Susan Currie – Assistant Expedition Leader Susan was born and brought up in North East England but has lived for the last 24 years in Aberdeen. After obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Exeter and a Doctoral degree from the University of Cambridge she worked as a geologist in the oil and gas industry. She has published papers in a number of academic journals. In 2008 she left BP to work as a senior geologist in the UK Government Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). When she is not on board expedition cruise ships she is employed in their offices in Aberdeen. Susan will be aboard Ocean Nova on Bird Quest – 2nd to 10th May 2013, Bird Islands – 10th to 19th May 2013 and Lost Islands – 19th to 26th May 2013 Laurie Dexter – Expedition Leader Laurie Dexter, one of our most experience expedition leaders has since 1970 made over 90 ship based trips to Antarctica and more than 50 to the Arctic as an expedition leader and lecturer. In 2011 he joined us as an expedition leader exploring the British Isles and due to his resounding popularity will be joining us on board the MS Serenissima next year. He speaks the Inuit language, and has degrees in physical education, theology and anthropology. Laurie will be aboard Serenissima on Great Houses & Gardens of Britain & Ireland – 11th to 21st May 2013 and Hebridean Odyssey – 21st to 28th May & 28th to 4th June 2013 Danny Edmunds – Assistant Expedition Leader In 2003 Danny grew tired of earning a living building databases and living in central London and has since worked as a photographer, diver, travel writer and boat handler in some of the most undeveloped and remote parts of the world.He's driven Zodiacs in the Indian Ocean, the Antarctic and the Arctic, radio-tracked Spectacled bears in the Ecuadorian Andes and spent 16 months living south of the Antarctic Circle, working as the Boating Officer at Rothera, the British Antarctic Survey base. Danny will aboard Serenissima on Scottish Islands & Highlands in Bloom - 4th to 14 June 2013 Chris Harbard – Naturalist/Zodiac Driver Chris is a well-known British ornithologist and conservationist. He spent 24 years working with the world’s largest bird conservation organisation, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and is now a freelance author, broadcaster and lecturer. He writes for Birdwatch magazine and is a regular contributor to the BBC’s natural history radio output. He has worked as a naturalist lecturer on board ships for four years in the Arctic, Antarctic, North Atlantic and North Pacific. Chris will be aboard Ocean Nova on Bird Quest– 2nd to 10th May 2013, Bird Islands – 10th to 19th May 2013 and Lost Islands– 19th to 26th May 2013 Alan Hardwick – Naturalist/Zodiac Driver Alan initially trained as a biologist and spent several years after university working in fish farming and learnt to dive, naturally enough, in a fish tank on the West coast of Scotland. Fascinated by the underwater world he spent much of the next 25 years exploring the seas around the Scottish Islands, leading expeditions to places such as St Kilda and further afield in the Faroe Islands. Alan will be aboard Ocean Nova on Bird Quest – 2nd to 10th May 2013, Bird Islands – 10th to 19th May 2013, Lost Islands – 19th to 26th May 2013 and aboard Serenissima on Hebridean Odyssey – 28th May to 4th June 2013, Scottish Islands & Highlands in Bloom – 4th to 14th June 2013 and Islands on the Edge – 6th to 15th July 2013 Louis Justin – Expedition Leader Louis was born and grew up in Normandy. After graduating from Europe’s leading management school, École des Hautes Études Commerciales, he spent four years in Australia and New Zealand, during which he took every opportunity to thoroughly explore these countries, as well as neighbouring Pacific-Ocean lands. As a lecturer, Louis shares his knowledge of the history of exploration and the sciences that made geographical discoveries possible. Louis will be aboard Ocean Nova on Bird Quest – 2nd to 10th May 2013, Bird Islands – 10th to 19th May 2013, Lost Islands – 19th to 26th May 2013, aboard Corinthian on Atlantic Island Odyssey – 24 July to 4 August 2013 and Summer in the Isles – 3rd to 12th August 2013, and aboard Serenissima on Scottish Islands & Highlands in Bloom – 4th to 14th June 2013 John Love – Naturalist/Zodiac Driver Born in Inverness, John Love graduated in zoology at Aberdeen University. In 1975 he went to live on the Isle of Rum where he managed a highly successful project to reintroduce the white-tailed sea eagle. While he remains involved with birds of prey, seabirds are another passion. For over forty years he has been cruising the Hebrides and visiting remote islands but in that time he has also travelled extensively throughout the world. John will be aboard Serenissima on Hebridean Odyssey – 28th May to 4th June 2013 Richard Price – Naturalist/Zodiac Driver A childhood interest in biology led Rick into a ten year career working as a marine biologist for the British Antarctic Survey. He spent five winters and eight summers on the British station on Signy Island, two as the winter station commander. For this service he was awarded the Polar Medal by HM The Queen at Buckingham Palace in 1988. In 1987 he left science behind and pursued and is still pursuing a career as a wildlife cameraman, specialising in underwater and polar filming. Richard will be aboard Serenissima on Great Houses & Gardens of Britain & Ireland – 11th to 21st May 2013, Hebridean Odyssey – 21st to 28th May & 28th May to 4th June 2013, Scottish Islands & Highlands in Bloom – 4th to 14th June 2013 and Islands on the Edge – 6th to 15th July 2013 www.noble-caledonia.co.uk • Page 5
Page 1 and 2: Small Ship Cruising in Britain & Ir
Page 3: Explore the Treasures of our Idylli
Page 7 and 8: Library At a Glance • Expedition
Page 9 and 10: The harbour at Torshavn, Faroe Isla
Page 11 and 12: Famine there were 1200 inhabitants.
Page 13 and 14: The Library Restaurant Marco Polo D
Page 15 and 16: The Abbey Gardens, Tresco Day 7 Str
Page 17 and 18: AN EXPLORATION OF THE SEABIRD ISLAN
Page 19 and 20: Cove, or look out for the amazing a
Page 21 and 22: Day 5 Handa & Tanera Mor, Summer Is
Page 23 and 24: Sunset on the Lido Deck Lounge Rest
Page 25 and 26: Dunvegan Castle, Isle of Skye MacLe
Page 27 and 28: Buffet At a Glance • A classical
Page 29 and 30: Waterford. This morning we will dri
Page 31 and 32: The Isle of Skye Gairloch for our v
Page 33 and 34: Day 6 Summer Isles & Inverewe Garde
Page 35 and 36: The Abbey on the island of Iona Day

Britain & Ireland - Noble Caledonia

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?