Elliott, Franklyn, and I were away at six this morning to the Forward Observing Station. The 1/3rd Lowland Brigade were firing today at about 3000 yds, our observing trench was about 200 yards from the targets. We were up there till nearly one o’clock. Got back to camp and bathed about 3:30 pm. On the way back from bathing we saw a great grey shrike sitting on a bush; we looked and found the nest with one nearly fledged bird.
Quite a chapter of accidents today. To start with a biggish steamer somehow or other got broadside or across the canal and went aground, stopping all the traffic for a good time. Then an aeroplance came to grief, but I don’t think anyone was killed. And lastly an old steam roller that had been making a road along the side of the bank, fell on its side in the water.
[Later]
Since mess tonight we’ve been arguing and haggling over gunnery, distributions, contestations, angles of sight, etc. till all our heads are in a whirl.