Friday, May 23rd

Frost disappeared this morning. Jane began to churn for the first time, and though new to the method of churning the cream only, produced an excellent lot of butter and was well pleased with the process. At ten o'clock we set off in the yawl, Robert, Caughey, Willy & self, at racing pace, to the Port to enter her for the Regatta. The painting and stripping had much improved her and we felt triumphant. Heard a good deal of gossip about the race, that an immense page 185number of boats were entered for the four-oared match, but from what we saw and heard, derived more courage than despair. We rely chiefly on the lightness of our boat and oars to outmatch our weak crew. We returned as fast as we went. I brought a parcel of cabbage plants and fruit trees with me. A Nor' Wester prevails this evening—we hope it may not be followed by the usual Sou' Wester. Calm water is our best chance.