Part 77 - Diary entries for 16–17 June at Haeth and Waitang

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SUMMARY:
The diarist worked high above the Sokpon's huts near Haeth on 16 June, collecting several Primula species and observing many Grandala. On 17 June at Waitang, after a mishap with a shying pony that broke the diarist's glasses, Lundrup found a white variety of Primula caveana near the junction of two rivers.

CONTENT:
happen honestly. Whether it is Ngudup or Lhakpa who is doing it, I don't know. Either is capable, but Ngudup would think it quite usual.

16th June. Haeth. Half wet half fine, mostly misty up the hills. We went up the valley above the Sokpon's huts, and on the whole had a good day. Got Primula capitata (one only), P. tenuifolia, P. walshii (very few) and saw the finest lot of P. caveana I have ever seen. It is common as dirt here. Lots of P. bellidifolia beside the caveana in places. There were many Grandala flying about, but I saw no nests. All this was of course high up, and I'm very tired tonight, although I rode to 14,000' most of the way. The walking beyond was steep and there was a longish walk back. A good day. Obviously we are into things now all of a sudden really.

17th June Waitang. Height 13,400'. Fine at times, mostly misty, raining and cold. The day was notable for two things - the miserable pony I had, who shied at everything and a new white variety of P. caveana. After several shies, the pony in some way loosened the girth and the saddle slipped round, and me with it. Luckily we were on no dangerous part above the river, and I only fell among smooth boulders which did no damage to me at all, but smashed my reading glasses. Luckily I have another pair. We are camped almost at the junction of the two rivers, but it is not very convenient because to cross the main river we must go down 2 miles or up 3, and the best side is the other side. I wandered about a little, but saw nothing of interest. The lads went out separately, and came back very depressed, but Lundrup had found a white variety of P. caveana, or that is what I take it to be. It cannot be anything else, but I have never heard of such