Part 3 - 1938 February diary: Mansehra–Rawalpindi–Calcutta–Kalimpong–Pedong

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SUMMARY:
Notes 1938 expedition plans for the Yilung Chu–Gyala area and records February travel from Mansehra via Rawalpindi to Calcutta and Kalimpong, dealing with delayed kit and shipping. Mentions visits with the Potters and Bakewells, calling Taylor and Mary, staying with Tobgye, a trip to Gangtok to see Gould, and preparations to proceed to Pedong.

CONTENT:
In 1936 L.D. collected in the upper reaches of the Subansiri. In 1938 they decided to collect in the drainage basin for the north of Molo on the Yilung Chu down to Gyala at the entrance to the gorge. (journey to last for 10 months). East of the area covered in 1936 — between Long. 94° and the bend of the Tsangpo — is contained in the Tsela District of Kongbo Takpo.

1938.

Feb. 8th. Mansehra The last two days have been cold with a good deal of snow at Uri. So we decided to leave today about 11:30, and go as far as possible. Actually the road was not really bad, and there was no snow beyond Uri. Primula inayatii was in flower at the cliff beyond Uri. At Domel we heard the road between Domel and Kohala was shut, so we went by the Abbottabad road and reached Mansehra very easily by 5:45 pm. Bungalow very clean and nice.

Feb. 9th. Rawalpindi. Left at 8:30, and got in in good style just after 11:00. The kit servants reached Pindi by mail lorry at 3:20 pm. Spent most of the day with the Potters and Bakewells.

Feb. 12th. Calcutta Left Pindi by the Frontier Mail on 10th at 2:10 pm and reached here at 8:00 am today. The first blow was to find that our kit had not arrived on our train. We then went to Cox and Kings and heard that the B.M. boxes had not been taken off the 'Domala' and that all the seven cases of whisky and rum had not been sent on from Bombay. Then we found the Bank all shut, and a good many shops too. In the evening we went to Mrs. Graham's house and telephoned to Taylor and Mary — six minutes to each, which meant a bill of Rs 160/-.

Feb. 13th. Kalimpong. Arrived here this morning by 10:30. It was nice, as always, to see Tobgye again, and we are staying in their house with them.

Feb. 24th. to Pedong. 10 miles We can now be said to have started. While with Tobgye we went to Gangtok, spent two nights with Gould. It was in a way rather a waste of time, as Gould is not a bit fit, and could not see us for very long. After that all our time was spent in packing and checking kit, leaving stuff for Taylor and making arrangements for his following us on. Tobgye had sent on some of our kit, on two different