Wednesday, January 23, 1929
As I didn’t know when the boat left, I was up at 6:30 to return Kath’s book. But as I had until 10:30, I didn’t go there till nearly eight. They insisted on my having a bite of breakfast and then we took some snapshots. Kath wanted to give me a 10-bob gold piece for luck but I didn’t want to accept it. We argued, but I had to give in finally or else hurt her feelings. [Where is it???] She sure is a peach and so are Mr. and Mrs. Bailey. After kissing the three kids goodbye (the third time I’ve kissed them goodbye) I left a little after nine.
On the tender going out to the ship I saw a woman whose face seemed familiar. She spoke and we were friends when we reached the ship. She is living in Gib and came on board to see a friend. We looked the whole boat over, sat on the 1st-class deck with the friends and a gramophone till noon. She gave me an introduction to an Egyptian of the upper class in Cairo. The day was perfect—not a cloud and nice and warm. I hated to see Gib fade out in the distance for I have had such a good time there. I got in the second shift at lunch. The boat is a good one and third class is not at all bad—but of course not worth the £14. The passengers aren’t such a bad-looking lot, in fact the contrary. Some are pretty crude and most forget their table manners somewhat. The food is good. My inside cabin is about 7×7, with a double berth and a camp stool in it. I have it all to myself, though.
Sailed along the Andalusian coast passing Malaga this afternoon. Very picturesque and hilly scenery. A nearly full moon tonight. We are sailing up a silvery path. It’s a marvelous night—and nobody to spend it with. There is a whist drive on in the dining room, but I’m sleepy and shall hit the hay soon—at 10:45.