61 Lae In the evening Van and I drove out to Lionel Baker's Gabensis Plantation for a barbecue. Was much impressed by the beauty of the lush lowlands, the lower mountains, and the soft curves of the kunai hills after sunset. The grounds of the Baker's place are colorful with crotons and hibiscus and cropped green grass, well tended without being prissy. We ate under tree-ferns and a big Cordia tree half-covered in climbing aroids. A soft breeze came down from the hills; the Cordia dripped condensed dew at times. Guests besides us were John Womersley (Mary is down with mumps), the Ted Hentys, Arthur Abrahams, and Kitty Ginter, besides sundry small fry. Sunday, May 31. After only an occasional night shower since our arrival, this morning turned wet, with practically constant light rain to between noon and 1 o'clock. Afternoon and early evening overcast but without rain. This is the day of the annual show at Goroka. Six planes crammed with as many passengers as regulations allow (about 40, without baggage, on DC3s) took off from Lae this morning. Heard only a few come back. Fares for the one-day round trip were reduced for the occasion. Passengers clamoring for seats would have filled several more planes. All planes available were in use. Van packing herps most of the day. Self attended to boy's swags and cooks gear (fining down the weight quite a bit), typing lists, and writing letters. The Land Rover and trailer loaded late in the afternoon. We have just about a long ton of cargo including John and me and my two boys, Edewawa and Soni. The boys in good spirits, and excited about the mountain work ahead of them. The carrying capacity of the Land Rover, without trailer, is rated at 2240 lbs. Monday, June 1. Left Lae in the Land Rover at 8 am: John Collins and I, and my boys Edewawa and Soni. Altimeter read 70 ft. at head of the airdrome, where actual altitude is perhaps 30 feet. Details of the journey are recorded in small Notebook #1. About 24 miles along the road, having passed the first of the wartime Nadzab airstrips, we came to the beginning of the open grass country of the Markham Valley. Kangaroo grass on the level, very broad valley bottom; scattered Antidesma and Albizzia procera trees. At 9 o'clock, 30 miles out and 400 ft. above sea level, we crossed the Erap River on two steel bridges connected by a causeway. Shifting stream; gravel outwash from the Finisterre Mts. Dept. of Agriculture Lowlands Livestock Station and a sisal experimental area on far bank of river. Open kangaroo grass country which would be reckoned 2nd class grazing for cattle. At 9:30 (47 miles) we drove through several hundred yards of water running up to about 1 ft. deep across the road. Some miles of more thickly timbered grass country before this; mainly Albizzia procera (red with young seed pods), with Sarcocephalus cordatus on the less well drained ground and along small watercourses. By 10:40 (62 miles, 800 ft.) we had crossed the Leron River, a difficult ford and the principal obstacle on the road. The Leron a fast, braided stream about 1/4 mile wide; 3 channels; water turbid with gray silt from the unstable Finisterres. For the crossing of the last, and main channel, John took the fan- belt off. We went downstream with the current, but the water washed over the topside mudguard, we had an inch or more in the cab, and for a few yards we half floated with the stream. No faltering of the motor (the spark plugs, etc. had been waterproofed). Water came well up on the trailer, but it was carrying fuel drums and metal boxes which could not be damaged.