Page 765 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

King George. After the party we had a look at the animals, they have the beginning of quite a zoo in the
gardens.

Thursday [24 November]

Went out onto the Aali plain in the afternoon with Prior and had a look at a place which he thinks might be
used as an aerodrome, it looked quite a likely site but knowing how difficult the Airways are to please I
daresay they wont like it. I took my dogs but we didnt see any hares, we took tea and had it in the car as it
was very cold out there at sunset time. Dined with the de Greniers, the Skinners were there and we played
Bridge while D.G. played the piano, he plays quite well and I enjoyed his music. Very cold, a strong shamaal
blowing all day which has done a lot of harm to my garden.

Friday 25th November 1932

Took a walk in the morning and went down the bazaar, on the way back Russell called us in to their house
where we found Skinner and Dalton Morris all drinking "brown velvet" which is a drink made of stout and
champagne, we had some, it was really very good, I have often heard of it but never before met it, stayed
there some time then back to lunch. In the afternoon took James and Nanny out for a drive, round by Suk
al Khamis and then to Senian, one of the Shaikh's gardens, James liked it very much and I lifted him up into
a date tree to pick dates, they are really over but there were a few left in one bunch. Dined with Prior, the
Agency looks very gloomy with all the nice carpets and things packed up, left early as M didnt feel well. Still
cold and a shamaal blowing.

Saturday 26th November 1932

Fort in the morning, very cold weather now. Court sat in court till two oclock, a lot of cases but all very dull
ones. Drove in the car in the evening and called on the de Greniers on the way back. I now have an
extension to my office telephone into the house which we find very useful.

Sunday [27 November]

Fort and then court. Drove out in the evening, the aeroplane was expected to arrive at about five oclock
but it didnt arrive till seven thirty, everyone had got very fussed about it as this is the first time a machine
has made a night landing here. Prior went over to meet the Lochs and came in for a minute before he had
dinner to tell us what he thought of them, he said they seemed to be alright and the woman, Mrs Loch,
much older than we had all expected. Everyone is wondering very much what they will be like.

Monday [28 November]