18 Nov 16. Up at 6 AM Clearing 25° F Breakfast with Philip Smith Packed for flight to Christchurch. Read miscellaneous. Lunch promptly at 1130 Lutell called for me at 12 M for a fast ride to the airstrip. Bulldozers have recently smoothed the road across the bay ice but at our speed it was still bumpy. Boarded the plane at 1245 and air borne about 1 PM. Western mountains beautiful bathed in sunlight with wisps of cloud, large stretches of open water a few minutes out of Mc Murdo then pancake ice and long cracks & narrow leads much of the way to the edge of the pack near Cape Bird? Then above the clouds most of the way until dark with occasional openings arrived in Christchurch about 1620 PM Immigration & Customs thrice by the USAF P station wagon to the Occidental Hotel and my suitcase fetched from the Garnborough. To tired for bath, hung up clothes from suitcase and tumbled into bed about 1130 PM Nov 17. Up a little after 6 AM a good warm shower, dressed assembled laundry, Tea about 7 & breakfast at 8 AM After breakfast went out for a hair cut and shave so I am reasonably presentable. Hotel an edge of