cook

Clocks on one hour tonight, so we lose that much sleep. I am absolutely browned off today. I can do nothing but think, no wonder I'll never get fat. The Cook and I very nearly had a row dinner time. It was only avoided because I remembered it takes two to quarrel. I shut up even though I was right.

We have only seen one plane today , otherwise  nothing except the blue sea, sky and the galley. But it is early yet, just turned six o clock.

Well it is nearly a week since I wrote anything in here. I do not know why but I have right-off writing, although I sent a telegram Monday night, to let you know I sent it to Co Cup' this time. But no reply has come yet, I enquired today. When I was ashore seeing the Doctor it was not until yesterday that I could pay him my first visit. Then I waited 2 1/2 hours in the waiting room for him. It was not his day but had arranged to see me. He did not arrive but those two hours were very pleasantly spent with his secretary, a most charming person, who's husband is in the services.

Well we have not gone yet. Our sailing orders were cancelled this morning but we do not know yet what is happening. They both came back early this morning. The Steward had a tube of stuff for my use but I have not used it yet. Later in the morning the Cook and he sneaked ashore to buy bread and saved us making it. They got sixty loaves and two quarts of beer.  Hurrah! The Coast Guard stopped them too late on the return but the man who let them go got into trouble. On each ship there are two coast guards to prevent anyone going ashore.

I had to go to the lav as soon as I got up this morning. Same as I always used to and ever since I have had my pain return. I am lying in bed now at 2.30 and have just woke up from a dream. A ship wreck, me on it and hundreds of kids, Margo and Art were there too. I was jumping off the ship onto the shore trying to save them. Perhaps it is because I was thinking of Margo and hoping she will not take to smoking as I have seen her try it once or twice. I am asking her not to in my letter home.

Roll on Monday. It is my turn for a lay in then. Everything has gone well today. It is just 1 o'clock and here I am going for my afternoon nap. We have just sited an aircraft Catalina flying boat from New Foundland. So we cannot be far from Halifax. No, nothing to be pleased about, for that is the subs hunting ground. In fact they closed Halifax not long ago. The sea is like a mill pond. Later the Cook and I have been up to Steward's room, on the booze - rum. I am smoking hard twist in my pipe now, soon I shall be chewing tobacco, typically sailor.

It is about time we saw a plane or planes from USA. We have speeded up to 6 knots, getting along better now. Had boat drill at 4.00. I very near got perished with this Antarctic cold. Got remainder of my equipment thanks to Bosun. Had shave and good wash. Steward, Cook and I going out at New York to see if we can get some buck skin clothes.Early to bed tonight with tea in cabin. Just Cook, Assistant Steward and I. 

It is now 10 o'clock. I have finished in the galley till 3 o clock. Good morning but now it has turned out very rough and windy. The seas are so high we cannot see any of the other ships. We gave a Destroyer (Yankee) some gas this morning but the pipe line broke. Now our ship is covered in oil as the seas tossed the broken pipe all over the show. The Cook was satin the galley eating some fruit and custard when suddenly a sea hit us. Quite unwillingly up he jumped, plate in hand and he run to the other end of the galley.