Page 433 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

431

1929

The Shaikh flew across to Dohar, on the mainland. He came to the Agency at about eight oclock and they got off at
about ten. They flew across the house. Both machines went. It was a beautiful day, absolutely calm and clear but
rather hot. Went out for a drive in the morning and to the Agency in the afternoon. Later on the planes returned and all
the flying officers and the navy, more than a dozen of them, came to the Agency. We had very disturbed Bridge and a
good deal of hanging about. There were about eight flying officers, they came out from home with the sea planes.
They seemed quite a decent crowd except one little man who seemed rather a bounder, a Jew I think. The Shaikh
seems to have enjoyed the trip, or at all events the idea of having done it. They were surrounded by boats in the
harbour at Dohar. The people there had never seen an aeroplane of any description.

Saturday [20 April]

Cancelled the Court as I had to go out with the Shaikh to call on the Crocus. Nice calm day and the ship very near in.
The Captain had a very pokey little cabin and very stuffy. The Shaikh was very bored by it all. He had tried several
times to get off going and asked if I couldnt go instead of him, however Barrett told him that he must. It is a bore for
him but I suppose it is the proper thing to do. Played tennis at the Agency in the afternoon, several of the Crocus men
were there and the Captain. He is quite a pleasant fellow but not as nice as some of the others.

Sunday [21 April]
Court. I have changed my day to Sunday as the Shaikh does not come on Sunday. He always disturbs the Court by
sending for me. Walked to the Biladya garden in the evening and all the Mission came in after church. It was looking
really nice with masses of flowers out, specially stocks and gallardias, double and single which do here most
wonderfully well.

Monday [22 April]

The baby began to arrive in the night at about one oclock. I went along in the car to get Dr Rottschafer. Court in the
morning. I took it alone as Shaikh Sulman did not come in, and was in the office until they sent to say that the baby
had arrived. It is quite a nice looking little thing, not as unfinished looking as they usually are. Had lunch at three
oclock as soon as Dr Rottschafer and Miss Dalenburg had gone. D.G. came round in the afternoon but I was asleep. I
slept till five oclock and then went out and had a bathe in Idari and dined at Mespers. A sort of farewell party to the
Barretts. The men off the crocus were there. James Hamed Dacre's health was drunk. M and the baby are both very
well, and he took an unusually short time to arrive.

Tuesday [23 April]

Meeting of the Biladya. Shaikh Abdulla presided. They had heard about the baby and everyone made a lot of speeches
about it ... congratulations. I dont know what they would have said if it had been a girl. They seem to take it as a great
compliment to themselves that it was born here. Took a walk to the Biladya garden in the evening and met D.G. there
who came round for awhile. A cool shamaal ever since Monday which is a great blessing for M.