Page 613 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

Wednesday [19 November]

Special meeting of the Muharrak Biladya to discuss the proposed electric extension. Went off very well, they
are all very keen on it and the Biladya will put up the money by degrees. Then went with Dr Holmes, who
came over with me, to the old fort where we are building the new Quarantine camp. It is one of the old
Khalifa forts and quite an historical place and has been shelled more than once, once by the British. I am
leaving the old tower intact as it seems a pity to pull it down. Pleasant day on the sea we had to do some
wading and the sea seemed quite cold. Tea and Bridge at the Agency, starting a cold. M had fever again so
had to go back to bed.

Thursday [20 November]

Busy in office all the morning, gardened in the afternoon.

Friday November 21st 1930

Went to the Bank in the morning for Bridge. M didnt go as she is not going out yet. Took Parke back to the
Fort on the way back. Have got a cold so didnt play tennis at the Agency only went over for tea and Bridge. A
strong shamaal blowing and quite cold. de Grenier went over to Muharrak to attend the wedding of
Abdulla's son, uninvited. He always does the wrong thing. Since he has become an engaged man he has
been more pompous than ever, he will be very difficult I think when he has a wife whose "position" he will
always be considering as well as his own. It has become quite cold weather and we shall soon be thinking
about fires.

Saturday [22 November]

Really nothing to write about these days. Meeting of the new Shia Education Council in the morning. The
President is a religious person appointed by the Shia Kadi, rather an impressive white bearded individual with
a huge white turban. He hardly opened his mouth. Gardened in the afternoon.

Sunday [23 November]

Went over to Muharrak in the afternoon in a sailing boat with Doctor Holmes to attend the wedding of one of
Shaikh Abdulla's young sons. Arrived rather late and was reproached by the Shaikh for not having come
earlier. The usual thing, for the first time it is quite an interesting show but it becomes rather dull when one
has seen it so often. The plain outside the town was covered with people, big circles with men dancing in the