Camp 42.  Splendid pony hoosh sent us to bed and sleep happily after a horrid day, wind continuing; did 11 1/2 miles.  Temp. not quite so low, but expect we are in for cold night (Temp. -27 deg.).

Wednesday, February 29.—­Lunch.  Cold night.  Minimum Temp. -37.5 deg.; -30 deg. with north-west wind, force 4, when we got up.  Frightfully cold starting; luckily Bowers and Oates in their last new finnesko; keeping my old ones for present.  Expected awful march and for first hour got it.  Then things improved and we camped after 5 1/2 hours marching close to lunch camp—­22 1/2.  Next camp is our depot and it is exactly 13 miles.  It ought not to take more than 1 1/2 days; we pray for another fine one.  The oil will just about spin out in that event, and we arrive 3 clear days’ food in hand.  The increase of ration has had an enormously beneficial result.  Mountains now looking small.  Wind still very light from west—­cannot understand this wind.

Thursday, March 1.—­Lunch.  Very cold last night—­minimum -41.5 deg..  Cold start to march, too, as usual now.  Got away at 8 and have marched within sight of depot; flag something under 3 miles away.  We did 11 1/2 yesterday and marched 6 this morning.  Heavy dragging yesterday and very heavy this morning.  Apart from sledging considerations the weather is wonderful.  Cloudless days and nights and the wind trifling.  Worse luck, the light airs come from the north and keep us horribly cold.  For this lunch hour the exception has come.  There is a bright and comparatively warm sun.  All our gear is out drying.

Friday, March 2.—­Lunch.  Misfortunes rarely come singly.  We marched to the (Middle Barrier) depot fairly easily yesterday afternoon, and since that have suffered three distinct blows which have placed us in a bad position.  First we found a shortage of oil; with most rigid economy it can scarce carry us to the next depot on this surface (71 miles away).  Second, Titus Oates disclosed his feet, the toes showing very bad indeed, evidently bitten by the late temperatures.  The third blow came in the night, when the wind, which we had hailed with some joy, brought dark overcast weather.  It fell below -40 deg. in the night, and this morning it took 1 1/2 hours to get our foot gear on, but we got away before eight.  We lost cairn and tracks together and made as steady as we could N. by W., but have seen nothing.  Worse was to come—­the surface is simply awful.  In spite of strong wind and full sail we have only done 5 1/2 miles.  We are in a very queer street since there is no doubt we cannot do the extra marches and feel the cold horribly.