We met up to discuss and finalise details of training for the coming year at the Babraham Institute, where Claire was once again our host. Part of the meeting was the passing on of two signed documents. One of these is a participation agreement which seemed (to me) to be uncontroversial. The principal aim seemed to me to be reassurance that everyone involved would do their best to make a success of the expedition and stipulated certain commitments on all sides. It would be wrong of me to go into details and it is also difficult for me to understand the reasons, but Claire has decided to withdraw from the expedition. This means that either Zoe or I will be chosen to replace her.