Page 442 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

440

1929

Thursday [23 May]

Court. A lot of cases but mostly short so got done fairly early. Slept in the afternoon and then went with Prior to the
Biladya for the opening of a new road, from behind the Biladya up to opposite the Fort. Quite a good road but not in
the part of the town one knows. Shaikh Abdulla did it extremly well, he always has the right remark. There was a very
bad motor accident in Muharrak yesterday, two cars collided in the plain behind the town, it seems absurd as there is
miles of room out there. One man is very badly hurt and others less seriously. The Strakers gave a picnic at Idari,
nearly full moon but very misty. Took out Prior and the Holmeses in my car as theirs was being mended. Bathed first.
Mrs S actually bathed. There was no audience except the servants, they stood in a line on the bank with their eyes
open. The whole Mission arrived but seeing us they hurriedly turned and went off again. Quite a pleasant party but
tinned salmon and a poor dinner. Find that bathing makes me rather deaf, several people said the same. Mrs Straker
got very wild and began doing sort of jumping and other tricks, she said she could turn complete summersaults and I
think would have done so unless he prevented her. Very nice bathing. Two cars of Arabs came but I think Saleh
turned them back. Went in to the Agency after dinner.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX SONO QUI

Friday [24 May]

Stayed in bed till 9.30. I now sleep on the veranda on the camp bed and move in at about 5 oclock and sleep again till
called. Shifted about all the furniture in the drawing room putting the sofa between the two doors where it gets more
air. Looks quite alright but not as well arranged as before, however I like the sofa to be in a cool place. Went to the
Bank and had a rubber of Bridge. Read in the afternoon and then to the Agency. Played tennis abominably. Not so
many Mission there. Played a little Bridge. Edwards with his wife and really frightful child were there. They didnt go
till eight oclock and everyone was decidedly bored by them. Very hot weather. The Indian nurse has been doing very
doubtful operations among the Police wives. A great nuisance, if she goes on like this she will have to go. The Shaikh
has asked the Biladya to act for him in the ice machine, the holder of the other half is very angry about it. It was my
idea. Sacked Ali and took on a small boy to help Abdul, about the size of the other one.

Saturday May 25th 1929

Court in the morning. Its a very busy time, everyone wants to get their cases settled before the diving, we simply
rushed through the cases putting off all those that were not affected by the diving season. Very hot damp weather.
Went round the gardens in the afternoon and then out to Idari for a bathe. The ladies of the Mission arrived while I was
bathing and Saleh ran down the road and stopped them, I suppose he thought it was not proper, I had to go and
apologise about it. Ali bin Hussein came round in the evening before dinner to consult me about accepting the
invitation of the Arab club to be Vice President. The nominal President is Shaikh Mubarak, but he never attends. I
told him it was better that he should accept. I am sending them the weekly Times when I have finished with it every
week.

Sunday [26 May]