324 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [June 
than half the weight of an ordinary ski boot, go on very 
easily, and secure very neatly. 
Midwinter Day, the turn of the season, is very close; 
it will be good to have light for the more active prepara- 
tions for the coming year. 
Wednesday, June 21. — The temperature low again, 
falling to-36 0 . A curious hazy look in the sky, very 
little wind. The cold is bringing some minor troubles 
with the clockwork instruments in the open and with the 
acetylene gas plant — no insuperable difficulties. Went 
for a ski run round the bergs ; found it very dark and 
uninteresting. 
The temperature remained low during night and 
Taylor reported a very fine display of Aurora. 
Thursday, June 22. — Midwinter. The sun reached 
its maximum depression at about 2.30 p.m. on the 22nd, 
Greenwich Mean Time : this is 2.30 a.m. on the 23rd 
according to the local time of the 180th meridian which 
we are keeping. Dinner to-night is therefore the meal 
which is nearest the sun's critical change of course, and 
has been observed with all the festivity customary at 
Xmas at home. 
At tea we broached an enormous Buszard cake, with 
much gratitude to its provider, Cherry-Garrard. In pre- 
paration for the evening our f Union Jacks ' and sledge 
flags were hung about the large table, which itself was 
laid with glass and a plentiful supply of champagne bottles 
instead of the customary mugs and enamel limcjuice jugs. 
At seven o'clock we sat down to an extravagant bill of 
fare as compared with our usual simple diet. 
