The warmth of the air has produced a comparatively uncomfortable 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 Observation 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 afternoon; 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 1/2 to 3/4 mile from shore to northward.  Cleared in patches also, I am told, on both sides of Glacier Tongue, which is annoying.  A regular local wind.  The Barrier edge can be seen clearly all along, showing there is little or no drift.  Have been out over the Gap for walk.  Glad to say majority of people seem anxious to get exercise, but one or two like the fire better.

The dogs are getting fitter each day, and all save one or two have excellent coats.  I was very pleased to find one or two of the animals voluntarily accompanying us on our walk.  It is good to see them trotting against a strong drift.

Tuesday, March 28.—­Slowly but surely the sea is freezing over.  The ice holds and thickens south of Hut Point in spite of strong easterly wind and in spite of isolated water holes which obstinately remain open.  It is difficult to account for these—­one wonders if the air currents shoot downward on such places; but even so it is strange that they do not gradually diminish in extent.  A great deal of ice seems to have remained in and about the northern islets, but it is too far to be sure that there is a continuous sheet.

We are building stabling to accommodate four more ponies under the eastern verandah.  When this is complete we shall be able to shelter seven animals, and this should be enough for winter and spring operations.

Thursday, March 30.—­The ice holds south of Hut Point, though not thickening rapidly—­yesterday was calm and the same ice conditions seemed to obtain on both sides of the Glacier Tongue.  It looks as though the last part of the road to become safe will be the stretch from Hut Point to Turtleback Island.  Here the sea seems disinclined to freeze even in calm weather.  To-day there is more strong wind from the east.  White horse all along under the ridge.