Part 81 - Lake excursion and 21 June halt; specimen drying; plans for Trongsa Chu from Haibung

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SUMMARY:
Describes a clear day with a sudden late storm during an excursion to a lake below a pass, noting Meconopsis simplicifolia and the first yellow Cyananthus, with riding up and walking back. On 21 June a halt day was used to dry plants and do chores; the area is considered late and not very prolific compared with Central Bhutan in 1937, and there is an intention to try for the head of the Trongsa Chu from Haibung.

CONTENT:
two hours, we had bright sun all the day until just before setting in at 4.0 pm, when a very sudden storm came up over us pretty well. The snow range was absolutely clear & very fine too. I would like to have gone on, but knew I'd be too tired in coming back, so we only went to the lake, which I would think to be 2 1/2 miles short of the pass. Meconopsis simplicifolia up there is a much finer plant than lower down, worth getting seed of. We found the first of the Cyananthus today - a yellow one. Otherwise there really was remarkably little to be seen, but the day was thoroughly enjoyable. I rode most of the way up, except up the steep bit back to the cliffs, & walked all the way home.

21st June Halt. Another fine day, not as good as yesterday, but still a dry day. I was glad, as we have our presses all full, & needed these two days to get some plants dry & out of the presses. So we all stayed in today, & did odd jobs, & washing & so on. Tomorrow we must make an effort again, as these last two days have produced very little really. This place is late - in fact all this area seems late. I don't think it is very prolific either. Perhaps one always thinks that, but it certainly is not so good as the area visited in Central Bhutan in 1937. I want to try to get to the head of the Trongsa Chu sometime - from Haibung,