Page 510 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

508

1929

Court. Very dull cases but only took 30 so we got away in good time. Flying boat arrived at about one oclock and
Colonel Taylor, who stayed with us, arrived at about 2.15. They always take such a very long time coming ashore.
The tutor for the Shaikh's sons arrived by the boat and Prior brought him across to see me, a rather muddly looking
little man but seemed very intelligent. Talked some shop with Taylor at lunch, afterwards we motored out and back
here for tea. He is a pleasant guest and easy to deal with. Dinner party at the Jordans to which we took Taylor, a most
excellent dinner, played pontoon afterwards, quite an amusing evening. They have their house very comfortable. Prior
did not attend the party as he had five flying men camping on him. They are a nuisance.

Tuesday [31 December]

Didnt go to the Biladya meeting as there seemed to be nothing of any importance. Did a lot of work at the Shaikh's
accounts and had some of his tenants in who had not paid their rents. The flying boat left in the morning for Muscat to
return in a couple of days. Went a shore drive in the afternoon and then to a dinner party at Mespers. Dr Holmes came
in after tea. M felt very seedy. Rather a tiresome party, one felt all the time that there were too few people. They had
a treasure hunt, various paper games and a very rough form of blind mans buff. Prior came to the dinner and then went
out to the boat which was supposed to sail at midnight, had to stay till five past twelve, such a long evening.

Wednesday 1st JANUARY 1930

Had a holiday. A number of Hindus called in the morning and all the staff of my offices, also the tutor who came to
see me, I like him tolerably. Went out with the Dr to see Shaikh Mohamed's house at Senobis as a place to make the
new Quarantine station. Motored round the gardens in the afternoon, very dull day, gray and cloudy, Prior's boat
didnt sail till sunset today.

Thursday 2nd Jan 1930

Court. The flying boat came back in the afternoon, we were out in the car, came back and found Colonel Taylor here.
We went out to the Strakers and played Bridge and he was very glad of a sleep as they had been flying for seven
hours and it was very cold and bumpy. In the evening the other two Air Force men came to dinner, and also de
Grenier. We played whiskey poker afterwards. All very sleepy, fortunately they left early. Howe, the wing
commander, or whatever they call them, is a pleasant man but very childish in many ways, the other was a dull young
man who hadnt much to say. de Grenier was terribly pompous, he becomes more and more so.

Friday [3 January]