Part 35 - Diary entries from Ritang to Samtegang and Wangdipotrang with seed and bulb collections

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SUMMARY:
The diarist reports improved weather, collects many Lilium nepalense bulbs and seeds, and notes earlier seed loss of Morina on the Pelela. Pasang and Yundru return with valuable Primula and Lychnis collections, are paid, and depart for Bumthang; the party travels from Ritang to Samtegang and then to Wangdipotrang, noting road conditions and fine weather.

CONTENT:
17th Oct. Ritang. A perfect morning at last, but even so the clouds soon came up, and we are on the edge of very heavy rain this evening, but not in it. No sign up till 4.0 pm of Pasang and Yundru, which is a little worrying. We got good bulbs of Lilium nepalense this morning, taking about 75 big size and 50 small, besides lots of seed. Nearly all the seed of the fine Morina on the Pelela had been eaten. Have everything very well arranged this time — unlike when Betty and I were here last.

18th Oct. Samtegang. Three things happened all at once last night, and only a short time before dark. First a mail came in, with letters up to 27 Sept from home. Then Pasang and Yundru came in with their seeds and plants to be written up and packed. At the same time heavy rain came on and the roof was hopelessly full of holes. So we had a lively hour straightening things out. Pasang got all that was wanted — plants of Primula umbratilis var. alba, P. uniflora, P. baronesii alba and P. baronesii. Besides these he got seed of Lychnis wardii, P. umbratilis var. alba and a few other good things. Their trip was certainly worth while. I paid Yundru Rs 175/- and they were off to Bumthang this morning. We left at 6.0 and got in at 1.30, but the mule was not in till after 3.0. I don't think the new road is bad at all, and it seems rather shorter than the old road. We had no seed to collect today, and saw no flowers. This was the first day when there was no rain and there didn't look as if there would be rain, at any rate anywhere down here. Away to the north there were some big clouds, but I think even there it would be fine, and we have now got to the fine weather — as usual, on October 18th.

19th October Wangdipotrang. Fine again of course and very hot on the 3000 ft drop down here. There is a lot of Luculia gratissima out among