Page 839 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

Tuesday [21st November]

Shaikh Mohammed Abdulla bin al Sulman came in & stayed a long time. He first was arguing with Sulman
about returning to the Court, he was extremely obstinate but eventually agreed to return for the time being.
He is very sulky. Had a very hurried breakfast & then went to the Agency to meet the Shaikh who signed the
extension of the oil base. A good thing done, I hope now with this revenue that I will be able to balance the
Budget. Stayed on at the Agency, discussed various matters, work, my leave, courts, police etc. Fowle thinks
it is absurd that I should sit on the court so much. M took Min R to call on Ayesha at Muharraq. The Shaikhs
in the morning told me that Mohammed is going to Eygpt, Abdulla is going hunting, the Shaikh is going to
Kuwait & Sulman is sulking so shall be practically the Shaikh while all the others are away. Old Ayesha,
Shaikh Isa's widow, is going off to Mecca, she sat all day long with her retenue in a boat out at sea waiting for
the mail boat and it didn't come! Motored in evening & then went to Mespers for Bridge. Didn't go the
Mission but motored about near the town. The clouds are breaking up for rain every day now & the skies at
evening are quite wonderful.

Wednesday 22nd [November]

Fort. Busy morning in office. Shaikh Mohammed came round & fussed about the matter of Libas as usual.
He is very obstinate & persistent. Thank goodness he is going away for a while & I shan't be bothered by him.
As usual he wants me to cadge a free passage on the boat for him from the Boat Coy. Tennis party in
afternoon. Fowle came in. Had some good Bridge. Quite cold. The down boat arrived very late. Wrote to
H.

Thursday 23rd [November]

Fowle came up to the Fort early to see the Police & seemed very interested & pleased with them. Busy
morning in office & Police Station. Motored in afternoon & we played Bridge at the Russells & in the evening
had the Lochs, de Greniers & Fowle to dinner. The party went off very well. We heard the DGs go past while
we were at the Russells & so dashed home & crept in by back-stair - but they were l/2 hour too early. They
seemed rather huffy at our being late.

Friday 24th [November]

A little rain, the first of the year. At the Agency for a long time in the morning. Discussing money affairs, my
leave, succession & Shaikh Sulman. Went for a short drive afterwards. I like Fowle, the Resident. He has a