Page 304 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1927

Sunday [2 October]

Started before dawn with Alban & motored out about 10 miles beyond Sakhrir to where the Shaikh is camping. Deliciously
cold motoring & a lovely morning & sunset. Arrived at about 7. The Shaikh was out hunting gazelle. I had sent Omar & my
dogs on ahead with the tent. Alban tried to shoot some sandgrouse & then we rode down to the sea, about a mile away & had a
bathe, very nice, the water no longer hot but pleasantly tepid. Before it was too hot. When we got back the Shaikh had
returned. He looked very sporting in a dark yellow robe & old gold headcloth with dagger & belt. He loves these hunting trips
& really enjoys living like a desert Arab in a rough camp. Sat talking with him & then had lunch, an excellent meal, rice, full
of currants almonds & minced meat, bowls of stewed mutton, delicious bread, tinned fruits, dates & bowls of milk & cream,
fresh & sour, like junket. Very well done. Slept after lunch. Awfully hot & dry, but I like that. Went out in the evening after
hares riding donkeys but saw none. Saw some gazelle far off. Mubarak rode with me. He is an extremely nice boy, but shy &
only talks when he is alone. He also wore yellow & gold. Its a barren place. A well, a few rough stone huts and a bunch of
stunted palms, low hills covered with stones & wadis between them with coarse grass, some bushes along the shore. Dinner in
the open, by moonlight, the usual fare, whole sheep, dates, bread, cream & camels milk, the last is excellent richer than cows &
very nice. Talked of the wars between Bahrain and the mainland & went to bed at 8 oclock. Fine open air existence. The
Shaikh's party is about 50. Several of the Shaikhs from Rafaa, Sulman & the four youngest boys & a crowd of servants, lots of
donkeys, camels & 4 cars. Took a photo of Mubarak & the two little boys. The youngest is a nice little fellow of 8, the other