Weather still thick and colder. The birds have deserted us and the sea is getting up. A small ship would probably find it rough, but our boat hardly moves except to the swell. Vaccination this afternoon. Our officers do their best to contribute towards our comfort by cutting short parades in bad weather, etc. I have bought a pair of tennis shoes from the Ship’s barber to afford a change from the leather shoes issued to us, which get very wet. An albatross and a smaller bird are now following up the wake. Sea getting rougher. Now well over 3000 miles from New Zealand, the boat doing about 290 to 300 miles a day. Had an interesting yarn with an old sailor (now a machine-gunner) last night. He had been all over the world and had some hair-raising adventures.
Revielle, 6.15. Muster parade 6.35, when we simply answer our names and, if late, are given fatigues etc. Breakfast either 7.30 or 8 a.m. (two sittings). We then tidy up our cabins and scrub our floors. Parade for physical drill 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Dinner (with hot soup instead of tea) at noon. Parade for physical drill etc., 2.15 for an hour or two, or if wet, lectures in the dining hall. Tea at 5 p.m. Long benches are used for meals, each attended by a permanent orderly, who is exempt from all other duties. In the intervals after parades, and in the evening we play games such as quoits, boxing etc., and read.
Walk March 