Friday 11 September 1953 (cont) On board the "Gape Vogel"--to Samarai the time I reached the dock at 1:30 P.M. Ken had the unloading well under way. I unpacked my latest skull specimens from Baiawa and numbered and cataloged them. 1621 specimens for the mainland phase of our expedition. Have all my gear together in the Bunting bulk shed--what a relief! Over to the Service Mens Club at 4:30 to meet some of my friends. Ken's mate, Lionel, was in from an island trip and the tales of the expedition had begun. Mail from Mother, Dorothy & Dr. Anthony (Sept 2). Dinner with Dusty and Ailsa and to bed in their lovely house with a view up China Straits at 10:00 P.M. They are building another house not far away in a still lovelier spot. A friend, Cecil Able, from Milne Bay is doing the construction. Father the founder of Kwato Mission--he is mission-trained and a Cambridge graduate. He has a native wife & a lovely home on S. side of Bay. It seems strange to be in a proper bed again. And I can have all the ginger beer I can drink. Geoff has a limp right arm today. May be serious--perhaps a result of accumulated fatigue and nervousness ? Len wants to leave for Goodenough next Tuesday if we can find a boat. Saturday 12 September Samarai Went down to shed to take care of skins & start my re-packing. Geoff and Len to hospital to see doctor. Len had X-rays taken of his strained shoulder-- nothing wrong. Dr. believes that Geoff has had a very slight stroke but has not told him of his suspicion. His arm is still partially limp. Has recommended rest, no mt. climbing and no whiskey. Spent the P.M. sorting out my clothes, letters & papers. Tonight Ailsa and Dusty invited Len and Geoff up for a duck dinner--delicious. Then they stayed and drank until 11:30. A., D., and I could hardly keep our eyes open. I never tire of the view of China Straits from Dusty's house. The S.E. blows steadily and the clouds have been threatening all P.M. Sunday 13 September Ken Wynn invited us to a party for his Samarai friends. Geoff could not go-- very depressed (do not mention to Miriam). Massaged his arm & shoulder for him. Loafed all day. The party included some dancing & clowning. The only complaint about parties here is the fact that the same people are there all the time. Home about midnight. Wrote letters. Monday 14 September Geoff no better. Came down to the warehouse this A.M. & told me that he will probably go home instead of going on to Goodenough with us. He cannot use his right arm. Ken and I packed most of the day. Ken drummed up his bulk stores. Len and Geoff gave a cocktail party for our friends. Rather stuffy. Dusty, Ailsa & I left about 8:30. Met Mr. Dudley Rutledge, the District Commissioner, who is here in Samarai while Mr. Michael Healy is on leave. Mr. R. is in charge of the D. Island sub-district; lives at Esa' Ala on Normanby Island. Met Ailsa's mother & father again today. Mr. Gribben is retiring to Goodenough Island--Mud Bay. Len is not having much luck finding information about the island. Dust's birthday--Sept. 2; Ailsa's Nov. 5. After work went home with Nick Russell to meet Mrs. Russell. They have a lovely house on the south side of the island; S.E. sweeps their open air porches. He is English; she Belgian. They entertained Ru Hoogland when he came thru S. On way down we saw native with small snake. I claimed him for the collection. Probably first snake reported from S. Tonight on the way home we found another small snake on the path. Ailsa is an understanding hostess--she even provided a jar.