Mon Nov 16
Beautiful morning - sun rose 6.30 in a cloudless sky - I got up at 6 not having slept well - a wee bit swell all night - We had a small diversion after lunch: the steward cut himself in killing a sheep and came to have his hand bound up - During the morning, Mr Boyd the Chief Engineer took us all down to the engine room and stoke-hole - the heart whose pulsations we hear all the time - walked 3¾ ms- wonderful sunset again. Made 265. - cook unable to work - his rheumatism.
(more vocabulary - Zapatero : bootmaker to lavandera; washerwoman)
Tue Nov 17
Sun rose in a rosy sky at 6.24, only to get into a mass of clouds 10 ms later, the day proved moist, hot, and cloudy - our first experience of the tropics did not come up to my expectations - the first flying fish was seen - flew on deck at night, a pretty little thing with 2 large and 2 small wings. After tea (on deck as always) we played "Bull" - life on board grows in interest day by day - our little world is so compact. The ship is so steady, and, owing to the delightful weather, we are able to be on deck very much - only coming in to eat and sleep.
Wed Nov 18
The sea to-day looks exactly like the dear blue Mediterranean - as it so often looks after luncheon, covered with little white caps - took several photos in the morning - finished the first half of Harold's vest - dear old boy, I wish I could just peep at him, & tell them all how jolly and happy we are - walked 4ms. The cook is very ill - rheumatic fever - poor man, how I pity him - Capt. wont let us do anything for him - had the lamp on upper deck after dinner, lovely!
Thu Nov 19
Awoke at 12.10a.m., knowing we were soon to pass St Vincent I remained awake, we passed through the straits (San Antonia & St Vincent) from 2 to 4 a.m. - could not see much as it was so misty- just a dim outline of rocks, with a light at either end - very cindery smell blew off St Vincent - I hope we pass in the day coming back. Just as we were going through we passed a big passenger boat ablaze with lights - a delicious day, very hot sunshine. After dinner a ship was sighted - we sent up rockets - all went up on to the Bridge - it was a very pretty sight - We saw another about 11.30 & again signalled, first a red light then green balls; but again it was not the "Burgundy". Cook very bad - walked very little - too hot - stars very bright.
Fri Nov 20
Cook a little better - delicious morning again - saw shoals of flying fish before breakfast - to-night it began to lighten and continued almost incessantly for 12 hours. About 12 a very big storm came on & such rain, thunder, and lightening that they called the Capt: up - only 1m.&½, heat & thundery weather taking all the starch out of me - read, walked, and played Bull as usual.
Sat Nov 21
Very beautiful after all the lightning - saw a ship, wh. produced a slight stir. Finished the first 100 pages of Macauley & enjoyed it, also my first pair of socks. Had a very pleasant day & managed to walk 4 ms - I do not know how I did it - very hot, 80 in shade most of the day - saw a whale but not very close.
Sun Nov 22
Frieda's birthday - dear little girl, she looked so fresh & pure & sweet in her clean white frock - and was so pleased with her presents. A gorgeous morning; but a heavy squall came on about 12.30 - rain in torrents - had our little service at 3.30, after wh. tea and a little attempt at sketching - the sky was so lovely - hymns on deck after dinner - bed early & read walked 3¼ - saw a steamer but did not signal her.