Page 535 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

Went out hunting with the Shaikh. We went at the same time as Prior and his sister but in our own car taking
Siwa but not the silugi as the silugi is unwell, got bitten lately in the leg. Went first to Sakhrir and then over
the hills down to the coast and along by the salt pans to a place where the Shaikh has a few little huts which
he uses as a hunting box. Found quite a lot of them out there, Abdulla and his people and a lot of the
servants, camels and donkeys. Abdulla was dressed in white and looked very handsome. Rode off on camels
some distance and the ladies in a car, later they mounted donkeys. They had sighted a hare. There was an
awful muddle over it as instead of giving it a run they let the dogs onto it before it left the earth and in a
minute it was caught. The Shaikh was very angry about it. Rode back to the camp and after some time had
lunch. Waited for four hours in a little tent on the top of a sandhill and then motored back to Manama.
Altogether a most dull unsatisfactory entertainment and very boring. It was most uncomfortable in the tent
and we none of us enjoyed it. The Shaikh was having several days of it, it amazes me that even he can enjoy
such a life. Went out a sail when we got back with Jordan in one of the tomtits, I like sailing but racing bores
me, Prior always races, he was in the other one with the Doctor. The town looks very nice from the sea.
Went into the Agency afterwards for some time. I have never been on a more badly arranged expedition
than todays. Sulman did not appear, he was taken ill and went home, the Doctor saw him and said he had
influenza.

Monday 17th [March]

Court. Mohamed bin Ali appeared instead of Sulman and as usual was no help whatever. An Englishman
travelling in margarine came to see me and talked about the question of the Biladya forbidding the import of
any sort of artificial butter or ghee. Quite a decent fellow. He came on the last boat. Motored round the
golf course and then to D.G's to see some stores of his which M is buying from him. He got a lot from Paris
and as he is going on leave he is selling them, quite nice stuff. Dined in Muharrak with Yusuf Fakroo, went in
the Agency launch with Prior and his sister. Quite a pleasant dinner, only a few people there. The usual
sheep and chickens. The Dames went to Kuwait. Mail arrived. I am not on good terms with the man we
dined with over the school business but one of the guests said loudly, "you and Yusuf are at war now, I hear
you dont like eachother at all." Such an unsuitable remark to make of ones host to a guest at a meal. Lovely
night, very nice coming back in the launch.

Tuesday 18th March

Meeting of Muharrak Biladya, very dull. The new members do not seem a very intelligent collection. Looked
at some ground which one of the merchants wants to buy, a piece inside the sea road which will need filling.
He is reputed the richest man in Bahrain but haggles about the price which is very low. An English
commercial traveller interested in ghee came to call. Felt rather seedy. Didnt go a drive but played Bridge at
the Fort with Parke, Mrs Pam made the fourth. Had fever when I got home and went to bed early feeling
rather ill.

Wednesday [19 March]