Orde-Lees Journal
Thursday, 14 October, 1915
Temperature +31 to +15.
A clear mild day. Awful slushy on deck.
Today we had all meals up in the old wardroom a bit of a muddle at first but things will soon straighten down.
The vagaries of the climate quite bewilder Hussey, our meteorologist, for just when he thinks it is going to do one thing the precise opposite often happens, but on the whole he takes his troubles very cheerfully; indeed I think he is the most genuinely cheerful amongst us and his general cheeriness does much to enliven the tone of our table talk & even to make others take their own little troubles more lightly.
He is a Londoner by birth & is continually being chaffed about being a cockney a part which he often acts to perfection. His wit and repartee are exceedingly bright and invariably in the best taste.
He is a B.Sc. (Bachelor of Science) of the London University & reckoned very good at his own job. Although no more than 23 years of age he has had previous experience, having been a member of the Welcome expedition to the Sudan under Mr. Welcome of the firm of Burroughs & Welcome.
He is a lean joist of unusual merit and it is very pleasant to have music of any kind down here; his repertoire is sufficient to prevent his tunes becoming too monotonous which cannot be said of my own. As a matter of fact, I have my old banjo with me but as the drum burst on the way out I make this the excuse for not playing; actually my execution is so inferior to Hussey's that the comparison would not enhance my reputation in any way! Hussey is one of our smallest members but he makes up in energy what he lacks in stature.
At about 7 p.m. tonight the floe suddenly split & widened out into a small lead, the ice slipped from under the ship & she righted herself & floated on an even keel once more. The long awaited break out becomes an accomplished fact.
Breakfast - Curry, porridge.
Luncheon - Cold mutton, mint sauce.
Dinner - Roast penguin, pancakes.
Comments