Part 139 - Trouble with bridges; halt at Molo and departure toward Sinjo Samba

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SUMMARY:
The diarist is delayed at Molo due to a broken bridge between Molo and Lilung, with reports of lost mules and men, upsetting Hutton's plans and preventing departure to Sinjo Samba. On the following day they finally set off toward Sinjo Samba in fine weather, having kept the yaks tied and coolies confined at Buarang.

CONTENT:
Trouble with bridges.

3rd October. Halt Molo. Another beautiful day, but clouds beginning to come up now. I fully expected to be in Sinjo Samba by now, but here we remain another day. Bridges this year have caused us — me at any rate — endless trouble & delay. Transport was all ready in Molo to start here, when orders were given that no men were to leave. The bridge between here & Lilung broke yesterday, & four mules & men are said to have been lost. We were lucky to have got over only two days earlier. But a loaded mule drowned would have been at least one thing. Besides keeping me back, it is going to upset all Hutton's plans. He should have crossed the bridge today, but I suppose will now be held up three or four days. I hope he was told at Lilung, & had not already got up to near the bridge. Eventually I arranged to keep my 6 men, but they had scattered by then. I held on till 3.0 pm meaning to move, & just after that all rolled up, but it was then too late to be worth starting. It is a pity, as this weather would be perfect for the Lo La, but is not likely to last very much longer without a break.

4th October. To Sinjo Samba. Fine day, but more clouds coming up through the valley. At last we are off, what a place Molo is to get away from. I kept the yaks tied up in camp, & the coolies were shut up in Buarang Sh