The next day I went into Kertch in a steamer with Sir Edmund Lyons and party, and had no difficulty in recognising our Russian friend owner of the fishing nets, as well as other property. In the afternoon joined Paget in a foraging party. Took thirty-five bullocks for the Fleet, and milch cows for ourselves. [Sidenote: May 27.] Dundas, Turner, and Peck on board to church. Dined on board _Enchantress_. [Sidenote: May 29.] Remained on board, admiring Brierly’s Baltic sketches. Dined with Houston-Stewart. [Sidenote: May 30.] Landed abreast of ship and got some green gooseberries, big enough for a tart. Dined with Pasley on board _Agamemnon_. [Sidenote: May 31.] Admiral made signal for opportunity to go to Kertch and Yenkali. Visited Sir George Brown and the camp. On return found news from Sea of Azov of smart doings there by squadron. Dined with Commander-in-Chief. [Sidenote: June 1.] Launches off at daylight to join force in Sea of Azov. Took cruise in _Stella_ yacht with Frankland. Arrival of 3000 troops from Balaclava. Farewell dinner to Whichcote and party on board _Enchantress_. [Sidenote: June 2.] Lieutenant H.S.H. Prince Victor of Hohenlohe joined. Party to dinner, Pasley, Paget, Talbot, Prince Victor, Frankland from _Stella_, and Jackson. [Sidenote: June 3.] Dined self and youngsters, Prince Victor, Graham, Stephenson, and Campbell, with Admiral Houston-Stewart. [Sidenote: June 4.] A cruise with Frankland and Jackson in _Stella_ to Yenkali; council of war being held there. Spoony decision not to go to Anapa: younger blood required in council. [Sidenote: June 5.] Dined with Commander-in-Chief to meet the French and Turkish Admirals. [Sidenote: June 6.] News of energetic proceedings in the Sea of Azov; proof of the advantage of employing young men. [Sidenote: June 7.] Cruise in _Stella_. Landed on sandy spit, Asiatic side; tried to stalk a Cossack. Picked up some sea-birds eggs much the same as plovers. Signal from flag, “Obstacles removed and free to be attacked.” [Sidenote: June 9.] Mamelon taken by the French. Kertch Government buildings on fire. War, a terrible thing! [Sidenote: June 11.] Accompanied Commander-in-Chief on farewell visit to Kertch. Dined with him; got permission to go in _Stella_ to Anapa. Took Prince Victor, and weighed before turning in. [Sidenote: June 12.] Arrived off Anapa by breakfast time. Place in ruins; picturesque Circassians moving about. [Sidenote: June 13.] After breakfast returned to Kertch Straits. Not sorry to find our allies had already started. [Sidenote: June 14.] Fleet weighed at daylight to visit the deserted Anapa; remained a couple of hours there. Ice the only thing worth bringing away. 8 P.M.--Picked up _Stella_ and took her in tow. [Sidenote: June 15.] In running in, ship grounded off Sevastopol. Not my fault this time! Got off, too, without damage. [Sidenote: June 16.]