Friday 5 June 1953 (cont) Top Camp good break of weather. Today has been clear and sunny and tonight is clear but the cloud banks are heavy in the river valleys. Saw no bats at dusk. Lovely sunset behind Goropu. Jacked close by for 1/2 hour but saw nothing. 2 carriers came up today from Biniguni with more food supplies. Took message back to Ken with them. He leaves for Baiawa to await our supplies coming from Samarai on "Ruru" or "Betty Ann". Had boys bring in all traps today except 16 steels in concealed sets near camp. I also have 17 rat traps out which I will run before we leave tomorrow. Almost 10 P.M. Will try to get off about 7 A.M. Saturday 6 June Coronation Day. My 2nd marsupial mouse in a forest trap. Measured and skinned before breakfast. Geoff and I and 8 of the boys (all except Bobby and Tommy who stayed with Len and Niko who is at Baiawa) started the climb up Mt. Maneau at 7:15 A.M. A very steep pitch up to the crest ridge made us puff for 1/2 hour. Sky cloudy but we decided to risk weather since we had made plans long ago to celebrate the day on top. At 8:15 we were well along the west ridge which in places narrowed to knife edges of only 2 feet with steep grassy drops on both sides. Geoff took it very easy and we had plenty of time to look around and see the country unfold. Tip of Cape Vogel visible in the early sunglow--also Moi Biri Bay where we first landed. Mt. Dayman uncovered to the S. as we climbed (Gwariu River runs between Maneau and Dayman). Mountain pipits common. Trail leads over 2 high knobs with saddles between. At 9:15 we were on the last slope up summit ridge. Summit 9:30. 2725 M. (8856 ft). Little grass, heather and fern covered ridge with 3 small knobs. Boys peeled and carved 3 poles and stuck them in ground on knobs. I built a stone cairn. Geoff explained coronation to the boys and read a statement memorializing the day and listing all names. This was folded and put into plastic tube which we placed in cairn. Many pictures taken. Sun out and good views to S & W. We found a sheltered spot a few feet from summit to eat lunch. I had saved a 1/4 lb. bar of chocolate. Also had lemon powder drink. Geoff toasted the Queen with a little vial of rum. Boys had tea and rice. More pictures, then started down at 12:50. My 3 boys set 60 traps in scrub near summit. Will go up again tomorrow. Camp at 2:15. A wonderful day! Made up my "mouse". Army ration dinner for a treat tonight. Went jacking from 7:15 to 8:45. Nothing. Waist line now 36 inches ! Sunday 7 June A peaceful day until 10:30 A.M. when David, Lik Lik, and Isilele arrived back in camp after climbing to Maneau summit to pick up their 60 traps. 7 gray-bellied Rattus and !! a pigmy possum (Eudromicia)--our first on the Expedition and the first one in the flesh I have ever seen. Arboreal and hard to trap--none on Cape York Exp. Now have 13 species for this camp--possibly more if the Rattus and Melomys can be divided. Trapped on ground among tree roots. Label for above to read: Mt. Maneau (Maneau Range)--summit area--mossy forest 25 M below summit. Boys skinned catch after lunch and made them up before supper. Re-baited traps (20 rat and 6 concealed steel); boys have 60 Mus. Spec. and 10 concealed steel--all in forest close to camp. Tomorrow will trap beech forest on back track. At 11 A.M. 2 runners with mail arrived! 2 letters from mother Apr. 19 and May 14; 2 from Kay Apr. 19 (mailed 20th from Phil by friends); 1 from Royal Bank (bought 25 more shares at $31 pesos); 1 from Stan Grierson-- which I have answered. Also a radiogram from Bunting advising that our stores for next 2 camps are coming out by boat soon. Mail day is always a happy event. Had written K in A.M. before mail came. Enclosed diary pp. thru June 6 (#128). Letters also to C. D. Brown & Lords & to Royal Bank. No jacking tonight. Letter writing instead. I heard but did not see a 2nd. sp. of b. of P. in forest. Geoff and I feel fine today after our climb. We found out today (G. Rec'd a program)