Part 123 - Isalunape and Tahudu: botanical observations and Bhutan medical organization discussions

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SUMMARY:
After an early start, Tasho and his man led the diarist to Codonopsis aff. vinciflora, and there are notes on discussing with HH the organization of medical work in Bhutan, including a hospital at Tongsa and rest houses. On 23 August at Isalunape heavy rains had altered the river and plants were later than in 1937, with the Zimpon improving the lodging. On 24 August at Tahudu the party reached camp early despite washed-out paths, noting large patches of Lilium wallichianum, finding Luculia pinceana, and collecting old seed of Streptocarpus simplex.

CONTENT:
After 6:00 am Tasho rode up the first mile. Here one of his men pointed out Codonopsis 'aff. vinciflora', the one I was looking for when we last passed. It was just where we had been looking, but then it was not in flower, all mixed up in the holly oak foliage. Now we saw about a hundred plants, all just coming into flower, so it must be about a fortnight later this year. Tasho was nicer and showed more life this time. He appears to have been talking to Jigme Dorji about various things in the country - hospital at Tongsa, getting the doctors going, and medicine organised etc. I am going to talk to HH about it all, and see if HH will give Tasho the job of organising all medical work now in Bhutan, also putting the rest houses in order.

23rd August. Isalunape. 5:30 to 10:00. Mist and some rain, but just fine all day. It is obvious that there has been exceedingly heavy rain lately. The river is quite different now and it is over the path in 3-4 places and much discoloured. This certainly seems the wetter month in Bhutan. I notice all plants here are later than in 1937. P. capitata and crispata are just coming into flower now, and in '37 they were in full flower by 12 August. Ceratostigma also is just becoming a fine sight. The Zimpon met me here, and has obviously taken great trouble to make this place better than before. Beds are made, curtains hanging (!) and all sorts of improvements. All I'm afraid of are fleas and bugs.

24th August. Tahudu. Fine most of the day, but misty and damp. There has been terrific rain everywhere lately, and the path is washed away in very many places. We were all in camp by 2:45 or 3, after 5:15 start. The only interesting things were the sight, across the valley here, of 2 patches of each of about 100 Lilium wallichianum. And I found Luculia pinceana. It is a beautiful tree, with very fine big flowers. Got (old) seed of Streptocarpus simplex.