South Pacific Survey 14th July 1951

Up again at 6 a.m. to finish writing as the plane leaves at 10 a.m. and I have to finish by 9.00 a.m. to get to the airfield. Finished off the letters and unshaven went off to see Scott off and ask Bert Barclay to ring Doris when he got home.

Had morning tea, then went back to go aboard the launch to go and look at the A/C at moorings. While down there I took the opportunity to go down to inspect the moorings and anchors.

The buoy to which we were moored had a cable 1" in diameter and two cable fasteners at either end. Top end OK, did not like the look of the anchor end of our buoy but consider it safe. The other buoy which has no buffer is by far the better of the two having a tremendous anchor and chain, far in excess of what would be required. The can buoy has no buffer and no strop for the centre for pick-up.

Spent the afternoon, or what was left of it, writing and had a little nap too. Must be getting old. (editors note: he would have been around 38 years old)