Part 119 - Ha halt with monsoon rains, Betty’s departure, and fishing notes

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SUMMARY:
The diarist parts from Betty in heavy rain and reaches Ha after a fast five-hour journey, then halts there with very wet conditions from 18–20 August, attempting fishing with limited success and noting few flowers at this altitude. Letters mention Betty’s route toward Bumthang, Changu, Karponang, and Kalimpong, and the diarist suspects H.H. has held back missing mail.

CONTENT:
Cyananthus lobatus is in full flower too, and several Saxifrages and even Primula pusilla. When we left each other at 10:30, Betty to go on to India, or to return to Bumthang, the rain came down in solid sheets. With me it continued till after I reached Ha, which took 5 hours going fast. It was very sad leaving Betty, and I know she felt it very much not being able to finish her trip right in the seed collecting. She will have a very busy 2 1/2 months now till she flies back at the end of October—just as busy as we will have here I think.

18-19-20 August. Halt. Ha. All days very wet, either here or up the valley, or everywhere. River very full indeed, fuller than any high water marks on 18th and much discoloured. I tried fishing but could touch nothing at all that day. Other days fishing fair, but I have seen no fish over 1 1/2 lb, except on 19th one of perhaps 2 1/2 lb came to my fly—the only big fish seen. Ludlow would have called that a small fish in May. It seems that the time for fishing here is certainly not in the wettest part of the monsoon. Probably the best months are April, May, June and September. Got a letter back from Betty to say she reached Bumthang all right, but obviously very wet. She will now be on her way from Changu to Karponang, and in Kalimpong tomorrow, all being well. It has been very nice here, but one wants someone else to enjoy the place with. There are few flowers left at this altitude now, and so little interest except fishing. No news still of the missing mail. I think H.H. must have kept it till I return. Had a letter from him, but no mention of the mail in it.