Page 285 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1927

Meeting of Biladya - I expected a stormy one - about the appointment of the new Secretary, which was really done rather
despotically, but it went off well. We had a very good meeting & got a lot of things settled. The new man is certainly good &
gets things done quickly. It was a long meeting & the Shaikh was very bored, constantly remarking on the time & eventually
just got up & went, really absurd as he has nothing to do. Motored out to Idari after tea & met the Shaikh there to talk
business, but as usual various people came & I couldnt get any thing settled, but am going to lunch with him at Sitra on
Thursday. Bathed, rather fun, with the Shaikhs boys & his servants & people. Lovely bathe. The pool is a fine place. He
wants a second road making to it as the only approach is too narrow for two cars to pass. The Shaikh didnt swim at all, the
boys did, & dived a lot.

A tin of petrol caught fire in the garage. Omar very pluckily got into the car, in the garage, & drove it out with flames all over.

Wednesday 30th August [31 August]

The Shaikh went to Sitra for two nights. Went over to the Agency in the morning. Tennis at Spences in afternoon followed by
Bridge. Won 2/- this month! not much but I have been winning every month now for a long time.

Thursday [1 September]