Pune, September 05, 2016, 1318 hours:

Just got off a call with Mela Ram uncle. The agenda – trying to ensure I head off to Khatnol as soon as I reach Shimla.

So the plan is to go to Shimla Old Bus Stand as soon as I reach Shimla Railway Station. And catch the first available bus.

Incidentally, Mela Ram Sharma is one of the most well-respected floricultarists in Himachal Pradesh, apart from being a leading Himalayan herbologist. I will be travelling with him for a couple of days as part of my preparations and look forward to learning about the flora in and around the Khatnol area.