Awoke to the pale haze of an overcast and chilly morning - with time for a quick photo stop in front of a scenic vista of rose and wheat-coloured mesas, straight out of a scene from the movie Red Planet.

There was unfortunately no opportunity for a hot drink of tea and coffee as the Rover ‘Ares' is not set up for those kind of luxuries just yet. Our humble breakfast, prepared by our French ‘chef' Fathi Karouia, consisted of orange juice made of concentrated juice and water, a selection of cereals and milk (made from the powdered variety), PopTarts and an apple. I filmed the process, noting the need to work in cramped conditions on a small work-bench.

Everyone is surprisingly cheery after having survived lack of space to stretch out during sleep, the cold and the early hour (7.00 am).

We headed off to our first EVA stop for the morning - Caneville Reef - so that Fathi could take some core samples of soil for biological analysis back in the Hab. Chad Rowland and I assisted him, while Jonathan used the time to examine the geology of the area. These samples will be examined for microbial activity, as well as acidity, and PH value.

The Ares performed well over some quite rugged terrain, and we made it back to the Hab by 11.00, as planned.

The lessons learned by the first overnight EVA crew on Expedition One were that the Ares, while basic and lacking in ‘creature comforts,' is quite habitable at this early stage in its development, certainly for a short duration trip. The lack of a shower, cupboard space, basic cooking appliances like a microwave and refrigerator, and seating, make it a less attractive proposition for a longer journey.

The upstairs part of the Hab was once again a scene of activity, as people write up reports, check emails, discuss the morning and afternoon events and plan activities. Lunch is happily on its way by 12.30 (leftovers!) and it was decided to amalgamate the two afternoon EVAs into one; both being held near White Rock Canyon. I had to drive 6 people out to the site in one of the ‘chase' vehicles, while Rocky and Melissa took the ATVs; small vehicles like a tiny buggy.

One group, led by Rocky, took geological samples, dressed in the MarsSkin flexible suit, while the biological team of Vuong and Fathi collected soil samples. Both teams utilised the data logger at the front of the MarsSkin suit to record information about what they were doing and comments, and were observed by an engineer. I filmed the team of biologists, and later followed that up with some recording of the analysis back in the Hab.

David Bushman, one of our Engineers, left us after a few days in the Hab, and a group photo was taken outside the Hab using a timer. The only crew members who were missing were Matt and Steve, who had gone to Green River to do crew laundry at the laundromatte and returned with three pies for dessert! We had them with Guy and Fathi's pancakes, and were treated after dessert to Steve Jordan's unveiling of the contents of his pocket-lined vest, which included everything but the kitchen sink - literally. Much mirth but Steve took it well.

The new crew-members for Phase 2, myself included, seem to have settled in to the routine of life on the Hab, although I was quite pleased to leave the ‘pressure-cooker' environment by taking part in an overnight EVA last night. I wonder if future Mars crews will feel the same - enjoying the chance on sorties to explore their surroundings and mixing in smaller teams.

Dying for a shower tonight - hope tomorrow will be my chance to be one of the 2 or 3 lucky ones per day! Sad how the everyday things of life we take for granted take on a whole new importance when they aren't available to us. Life in space, and on another planet, will require the ability to cope with the loss or decreased accessibility or ease of these things - everything from going to the toilet to power losses. That's where I think food and sleep will be important – it's easier to put up with a few hardships on a full stomach and a good night's sleep. Speaking of which it's 2.30 a.m...