18 January, 1911

We brought the Terra Nova closer in and she is now 400 yards off the hut in a very sheltered spot. Pennell is truly excellent in his present position—he's invariably cheerful, unceasingly watchful, and continuously ready for emergencies. I have come to possess implicit confidence in him.

Bowers, Simpson and Wright all impress me greatly. But it is hard to specialize praise where everyone is working so indefatigably for the cause. Each man is in his way a treasure.

Clissold the cook has started splendidly, serving seal, penguin and skua, and I can honestly say I have never met these articles of food in such a pleasing guise. This is important because it means the certainty of good health for any number of years.

Still wish we'd bought honey.

You may have noticed that there is no private facility in that diagram of our hut. You will forgive me for not mentioning it, but we go outside. Let's just pretend we don't go at all.