Page 135 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1927

Court in the morning, a lot of cases & several lengthy letters from the old Quadi who although very old &
according to most people too old for the job, is agile when on paper. Tried to get done by 12 but couldnt
finish till one oclock. Took lunch & motored off to Sakhrir, the Shaikh's house in middle of the island.
Lunched on the way. Lovely day & pleasant to sit in the sun on the slope of a rocky hill. Arrived & found
the Shaikh in his Meglis with about thirty men round the room, mostly callers. Rather a bore as I had to wait
a long time to get him alone, till after the hour of prayer. He was looking better, he has been ill with a bad
arm, & wearing a gorgeous orange coloured robe with gold embroidery. Finally I got a lot of things settled
& signed by him & he & Abdulla had a long talk with me alone. Motored home in an hour, 18 miles & quite
apalling roads. A lovely sunset. Very cold & a strong gale blowing. Too late for Bridge at the Spences, so
came back & had tea by the fire. The puppy deeply interested in the gramophone which it heard for the first
time.

Wednesday 29th Dec

Went a walk in the afternoon with the secretary of the municipality. Met Armstrong & saw the new well.

Thursday [30 December]