Page 21 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1926

MARCH 31st 1926 BAHRAIN

The Patrick Stewart, cable boat, which brought us from Bushire, sighted Bahrain about breakfast
time. A long low island with thick palm groves coming right down to the sea. One big town close to
the shore, & another town on a small island. Lots of sailing dhows off the coast, and water, near the
shore, which was coloured every shade of blue and green & purple. Altogether quite a pleasant
looking place. Fairly calm, but M had a bad time in the night. The engines vibrate more than on any
boat I have ever been on. After breakfast all the party went ashore. Mr & Mrs Gunter, Inspector of
telegraphs, & their niece Miss Brodie, from the Isle of Wight, & the captain's wife, children,
governess, & various of the ship's officers. The launch took us within some distance of the quay then
we got into the dingey. Met by Daly with two cars in which we motored up to the Residency. It
appears to be a huge house, owing to the great wide verandas, close to the sea. Well built & quite a
pretty drawing room. Mrs D met us here. Lunch, & then the others went back to the boat. M didn't
feel well so went early to bed. Very seedy, & seems to be a continuation of sea effects. Had a long
talk with D. The jobs sound really crammed with interest, so much intrigue & politics that one needs
to be awfully careful. Went early to bed. M very seedy. Mrs D is very pleasant, short, plump & dark,
& one very nice little boy the others being at home. Rather disappointed to find that they are
building a new house for us which will take several months & so meanwhile we are to be pro tem in
a house next door. Gorgeous night, a nearly full moon over the sea. The town, what I saw of it,
looked wonderfully clean & tidy & rather like a big town in upper Egypt. Found a letter from Aunt
Lily. We shall have to stay with the D's till our house is built - rather tiresome as I'd like to settle in at
once. One lives entirely on the upper floor in the houses here, & the downstairs is for servants &