Wed 29 [29 December 1897] Left Waterloo at 10 reaching S'hampton
[Southampton] at 12. Fearful storm. Got on board Para where we
found ourselves very comfortably lodged, and lunched. Stood in the
rain and wind and watched the Mails come on and the idiotic people
saying goodbye to each other. We got off about 3.30 but as soon as
we were well into S'hampton Water we hove to for the night. So we
had a comfortable dinner lying at anchor. We sat next a beetle
browed man called Northcote who is going out to Antigua to be a
secretary to the governor. After dinner M [Maurice] and he played
piquet. Fearfully windy night.