26th January 1912.

This have been a most wonderful day for surface.  This morning when we started the thermometer stood at 34, much too high for sledging.  We were on ski or we might have been on stilts for the amount of snow clogging on our ski, dont know how we should have got on without our ski, as the snow was so very soft we sank right in when we tried to go on foot, but we were fortunate to get the wind behind us and able to make use of the sail.  We made a very good day of it, did 13 miles:  8 of this after lunch.  I did not feel well outside the tent this morning.  I came over quite giddy and faint, but it passed off quickly and have felt no more of it all day.

    27th January 1912.

We had a good run to-day with the sail up.  It only required one of us to keep it straight, no need whatever to pull, but it was very hot, anyone could take off all their clothes and march.  It is really too hot for this part of the world, but I daresay we shall soon get it a bit colder.  Did 141/2 miles, it is nice to be able to see the tracks and cairns of our outward journey.  We feel satisfied when we have done a good day and in good time.  Mr. Evans is now suffering from looseness of the bowels.  Crean had a touch of it a few days ago, but he is quite alright again.

    28th January 1912.

To-day it have been a very heavy drag.  The snow is still very soft and the sun very hot, it fairly scorches anyone’s face.  We are almost black now and our hair is long and getting white through being exposed to the light, it gets bleached.  I am glad to say it is cooler to-night, generally.  We got over 121/2 miles again to-day.  Mr. Evans is still very loose in his bowels.  This, of course, hinders us, as we have had to stop several times.  Only another few more Sundays and we hope to be safely housed at Hut Point, or Cape Evans.  We have now been out 97 days.

    29th January 1912.

Another good day was helped by the sail all day.  One man could again manage for about two hours.  The weather is still very warm, plus 20 again.  Did 161/2 miles, only 14 to the next depot.  Mr. Evans is still suffering from the same complaint:  have come to the conclusion to stop his pemmican, as I feel that it have got something to do with him being out of sorts.  Anyhow we are going to try it.  Gave him a little brandy and he is taking some chalk and opium pills to try and stop it.  His legs are getting worse and we are quite certain he is suffering from scurvy, at least he is turning black and blue and several other colours as well.

    30th January 1912.