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1927

man, huge black turban, enormous hooked nose & red dyed beard, quite a noticeable personage but an old rascal. Went to the
garden after tea, Dr Rotchafer & her two Syrian assistants came in, one of them quite nice looking, but they did nothing but
giggle. The garden is coming on & the scent of the flowers is delicious.

Wednesday [12 October]

Went over to Muharrak to see Sh Abdulla in the morning. He is just back from a shooting trip on the mainland. Discussed the
question of the Wakf Department & arranged to appoint the members at once. Muharrak is wonderfully improved & far
cleaner than it used to be. Went there & back in a sailing boat, no wind going but a good breeze on the way back. An old
gentleman, he said he was 102 years old, leapt into the boat as I left and said it was a good chance of talking to me alone. He
turned out to be the doyen of the butchers & had many complaints about price of meat etc etc which gave me the idea of
regulating the market prices. Went to the office for a bit & then lunch. Brenfield came in the morning wearing a "gents
boater" such a comic hat. He & Zainal are buying a big piece of land at Rafaa. Tennis at Mespers. Played abominably.
Rather warm, no shamaal.

Thursday 13th October