The wind has gone to the best quarter this evening, the south-east, and is freshening." On these fine, clear, sunny days wonderful mirage effects could be observed, just as occur over the desert.

Huge bergs were apparently resting on nothing, with a distinct gap between their bases and the horizon; others were curiously distorted into all sorts of weird and fantastic shapes, appearing to be many times their proper height.

Added to this, the pure glistening white of the snow and ice made a picture which it is impossible adequately to describe.
Later on, the freshening south-westerly wind brought mild, overcast weather, probably due to the opening up of the pack in that direction.
I had already made arrangements for a quick move in case of a sudden break-up of the ice.

Emergency orders were issued; each man had his post allotted and his duty detailed; and the whole was so organized that in less than five minutes from the sounding of the alarm on my whistle, tents were struck, gear and provisions packed, and the whole party was ready to move off.

I now took a final survey of the men to note their condition, both mental and physical.