December 19 , Thursday: After a quick trip to Central Field Office (CFO) to give Bill and Rod instructions, we (Nol, Walker, Venske, Smith and I) went to Christiani & Nielsen to see their swivel-weight and caisson. Demo to penetrate into bedrock. Then to beach where we prepared for afternoon. After lunch, we pumped out crater, but back-pressure made water run out of jetpump. New hole drilled, which kept Rod too busy with the field plant all afternoon, so that Venske suggested to order a new drum. All rather disappointing, Bill Fry had a fit. After 17:00 gave swimlessons, but poor Joe had a bursting headache. Dinner alone, read Hans Hass till my eyes were sore and wrote Cynthia after that.
December 20: Arranged to pick up drums for field plant and ordered some pipe-bends. Move SPC and have more bursting pipe problems with fieldplant, spouting water onto hot pump. Pumped caisson empty but have problems moving jet
pump up and down the single track Francois designed. Venske, who is quite popular, got assigned full time to supervise or cheer up Bill Fry and the "boys". After lunch, another hole and a loose arm on the caisson. I had the CAT build a "hill" and dig a trench at the next site. Unloaded three jigs and sent Bill to Affenrucken for screens.
After 17:00 pool again, found out that Joe had received pain shots for his headaches.
December 21, Saturday: Work at office in the morning, no squash with Denise that afternoon because she feels poor and instead goes to dressmaker with sensuous and well-endowed Bobby. Dave Smith called to ask if we can get a man down into the caisson and with news about Erik's schedule. Get a one-line letter from Rose, which cheered me down.
December 22: Went to the pool till noon, had a long chat with Cora's mom who has three daughters and problems. Write a reply to Inman, and have a pleasant visit with the Wrights. Missed Denise who had gone sailing and had left me 4 messages, so, got together late that evening to reconcile (?)