Page 439 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

437

1929

Went out early and saw the aeroplanes off. Not a very exciting sight. One of them came down again and delayed a
long time with some sort of engine trouble I suppose. They are to be allowed to build a place on the shore. The sooner
the better as everyone is getting very tired of putting them up. Apparently Prior told them that he could make no
arrangements for the two men but without being asked they went to Edwards at the Wireless and arrived there late at
night expecting to be put up, typical cheek. They are said to be coming again within a month. I think I shall go out
camping for the night when they come. Got back just in time for breakfast. Office in the morning. Went to Muharrak
in the afternoon to a show at the School, really extremly good. They did a lot of acting, nothing else, about half a
dozen plays and really very well done indeed. They had a proper stage, curtains, drop scene and a sort of back cloth.
One play was a long sort of historical thing with many killings etc. The actors were the older boys and they were all
absolutely word perfect and acted very well. The whole thing was wonderfully good, they seemed to have a real stage
sense and the grouping was so good. They dressed the parts with swords and suitable robes. There were quite a lot of
topical allusions. The show would have been very good at home. There was a man playing a violin in the background
and a chorus which sung during the change of scenes. I was sorry that no other English people attended. The Shaikh
was there and seemed to enjoy it very much. He told me, during the show, how he went to a theatre at London and the
man sitting behind him was smoking and set his abba on fire. Afterwards I went to dinner with Shaikh Abdulla, only
myself, Ali bin Hussein and Mubarak and another young man, one of Abdulla's many brothers in law. Very nice
dinner and much pleasanter than a big spread. A big bowl of stewed mutton and vegetables, rice, dates bread and
fruits. Went in to see Prior on my way back. Abdulla said what a pity it was that the Police were foreigners and how
much better if they were local and their pay didnt go out of the country. After the show, before dinner, we motored out
to Abdulla's garden at Busatin. Muharrak is full of very wooly looking divers, Omanis, Somals and all sort of queer
Arabs. No divers are coming from the mainland as they are not allowed to leave owing to the war.

Thursday [16 May]

Court. Went with Prior to the Sunni school where we met Shaikh Abdulla and then to the Biladya garden to see about
a site for a Turkish bath, afterwards to Kozaibis ground and then I went out to see some sites of land. Bathed in Idari
and got back at eight oclock. The Eid is on Sunday. Quite a cool day. Last night I slept out but found I preferred it
indoors so slept inside. Rather damp but quite cool bathing in Idari. Telegram from Bienenfeld, from Paris. I suppose
he heard from Zainal. Prior went out for a ride on the Fort pony, didnt seem to like the looks of it much. The Biladya
garden still looks very gay and pretty. The tennis courts are getting on well. They have allowed a man to sell ices
there when the ice begins. Shaikh Abdulla talked of a band.

Friday 17th May

Didnt go out in the morning. Prior came across and stayed for some time. Tennis at the Agency. Went over early and
got three good setts with Dr Rottschafer, Holmes and Bardon. The other people when they arrived looked very
annoyed at finding us settled in there, Mrs Straker talked to the Dr about it and almost said that he should not have
gone there before them. Played Bridge.

Saturday [18 May]