Page 254 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1927

Friday [8 July]

Went down the bazaar in the morning. Quite cool, not many people about. Sat in the pearl market for awhile talking to some
merchants, but very few people there.

Tried to paint a picture of the show last night but not much success. Tennis at Agency in the evening. Didnt go to a dinner at
Abdel Kali Zayani, three dinners in succession is too much for me. Went early to bed after 3 late nights.

Saturday [9 July]

No court as Muharrem prevents any of the Shia from attending. Rather a slack day. Went to Customs & then did office work.
Son of the big pearl merchant Farook called, an awful fat fellow with a huge lop sided turban - about buying some land. Went
over to the Agency. Called on old Shaikh Rashid in the evening at his house. Stayed till after sunset, heard a lot of gossip &
nothing to the credit of anyone who was mentioned - one never does here. Dinner at Spences. Mail arrived & got it when I
returned. Photos arrived, some very good but mostly poor.