Page 264 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1927

Afterwards drove up to the Palace with Alban to see the hockey ground which is being marked out for a game against the
Navy. Played tennis at Agency & had dinner there, followed by Bridge. Lately, owing to the Navy, there seems to be a perfect
orgy of entertainments. Curry was ill, perhaps from bathing when not accustomed to it, & went back to the boat. Very
annoyed as it seems that Mohamed pinched a bottle of whisky after the picnic. Of course it was a good chance. The bottle was
one of Alban's, not mine, I dont think he would take mine but someone else's is quite a different proposition.

Wednesday [27 July]

Went over to Agency, saw the Shaikh who seemed most agreable to my going to Dohar, on the mainland, with Alban on the
ship. Busy morning. Ali Janal & a European pearl merchant called but I was going off to tennis at Mespers so not at home!
Went on board in time for dinner. Alban & I share a cabin & sleep on deck. Its a nice ship but very small, all the brass & paint
very brilliant. Went down to the gunroom, of which we were made honorary members - as one apparently has to drink every
time one goes there I shant see much of it. Dined with Curry & turned in fairly early. Its a change from Bahrain & queer to
hear the voices of the sailors - some of them very cockney. I cant imagine a more awful existence than being on one of these
little iron ships in the Gulf in summer. They were built for the North Sea with a view to warmth & then sent here! So like the
ways of the war. They are horribly hot & nasty in bad weather. Curry has very nice quarters & does himself extremely well.