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The trail to W. Field very pretty w. red flags on left & green ones on right and bright snow blowing - very Christmassy. We are now awaiting the flight at ~ 10:50.

A few minutes ago I visited sick bay for the toilet. A v. pleasant Navy man welcomed me. He was making a sign to mark a new Jamesway. After 2 terms here he is counting days (52 more) before going home & to school. Now he wants to leave. He realizes he will probably want to return some day. The old W.F. waiting room. Old theater seats, no books or magazines - a heater running too high.

At ~10:50 we walked out to the Herc and boarded. The 3 of us and Phil Kyle's group of ~ 5. After take off ^[[at 11:10]] the seat belt sign went off in time for us to see McM from our left windows (portholes) and Erebus from the right. Also, I think, Cape Evans & Royds. Scalloped cliffs of glacier ice and the shore. Below us were nothing but white massed clouds after that until we were well along. Then mts. appeared & we took turns in the cockpit. Reached N.V.L. ~ 12:40. got out, walked toward camp, and there stood Ed, Gisela & Wolf down watching the trains come in!  They recognized

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me from afar and waved vigorously. They made our short stay v. pleasant. Ed Stump was next - gave me a hearty greeting & directed me to the galley (w. flags flying) & toilet. The camp is a replica of Darwin, but to me it seems brighter, cleaner, airier. We arrived after lunch but had baked fish au gratin and peas w mushrooms. I found Spletstoessen and paid my debt of 2 beers. I brought 2 cans in a bright yellow & black paper bag & a label:  John Spletstoessen - Merry Christmas. The paper tore & cans started out, but the gift was bestowed. (In return for 6 slides of the Derrick Pl?]] at Darwin). It was bright & lovely at NVL - but the pilot said our recon area is socked in and he is low on fuel. He will bring us again early next week if we are still around. Reboarded & took off along w. the shell of the crashed helicopter. The view is poor. That's unfortunate but at least we got to NVL & saw friends. Phil Colbert was also there & gave me a fine greeting. A short easy flight back. At Willie Field we tramped to the waiting room and waited nearly half an hour for the shuttle. Walked to the galley & had ice cream. Back to the Sick Bay for Ladies' Room. A young woman in the Navy explained to me there is no other. The Navy didn't want women there so