i 9 i i] SURPRISINGLY WARM WEATHER 147 



tend to thicken it rapidly and the tide makes many an open 

 lead. We have been counting our resources and arranging for 

 another twenty days' stay. 



Saturday, March 25, A.M. We have had two days of sur- 

 prisingly warm weather, the sky overcast, snow falling, wind 

 only in light airs. Last night the sky was clearing, with a south- 

 erly wind, and this morning the sea was open all about us. It 

 is disappointing to find the ice so reluctant to hold; at the 

 same time one supposes that the cooling of the water is pro- 

 ceeding and therefore that each day makes it easier for the ice 

 to form the sun seems to have lost all power, but I imagine its 

 rays still tend to warm the surface water about the noon hours. 

 It is only a week now to the date which I thought would see 

 us all at Cape Evans. 



The warmth of the air has produced a comparatively uncom- 

 fortable state of affairs in the hut. The ice on the inner roof is 

 melting fast, dripping on the floor and streaming down the 

 sides. The increasing cold is checking the evil even as I write. 

 Comfort could only be ensured in the hut either by making a 

 clean sweep of all the ceiling ice or by keeping the interior at a 

 critical temperature little above freezing-point. 



Sunday, March 26, P.M. Yesterday morning went along 

 Arrival Heights in very cold wind. Afternoon to east side Ob- 

 servation Hill. As afternoon advanced, wind fell. Glorious 

 evening absolutely calm, smoke ascending straight. Sea 

 frozen over looked very much like final freezing, but in night 

 wind came from S.E., producing open water all along shore. 

 Wind continued this morning with drift, slackened in after- 

 noon; walked over Gap and back by Crater Heights to Arrival 

 Heights. 



Sea east of Cape Armitage pretty well covered with ice; 

 some open pools sea off shore west of the Cape frozen in 

 pools, open lanes close to shore as far as Castle Rock. Bays 

 either side of Glacier Tongue look fairly well frozen. Hut 

 still dropping water badly. 



Held service in hut this morning, read Litany. One skua 

 seen to-day. 



Monday, March 27, P.M. Strong easterly wind on ridge 

 to-day rushing down over slopes on western side. 



Ice holding south from about Hut Point, but cleared ]/ 2 to 



