Page 1389 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

1386

1942

PM drove with the Thornburgs to see the weaving at Abu Saiba and then to
Adari where the tide was so high that it became almost an island & back
by my new road. They dined here quietly.

Cool day, strong shamaal.

Tuesday, 6th August

Shaikhs A & S came in. Vallance phoned that his fiancee was on the down
boat. He is completely & entirely vague & has no idea of what is needed
& what has to be done. I have never known a person contemplate matrimony
more lightly - Heaven help the girl. He has nothing in his house. Howes
Snow & I talked to him and tried to make him realise that various things
would have to be arranged. It is all very queer. Howes is to marry them
& I am going to have a cocktail party after the ceremony.

Went to the Fort for awhile pm to see the rifle class. They seemed very
keen and all arrived a quarter of an hour early, then on to dinner with
the McConnells. Bridge. Had Dr McD as a partner so lost 4/-, quite a
pleasant party. A cool dull day, rather sandy but quite pleasant.

Wednesday 7th August

A cocktail party supper in Packers new launch, really very pleasant.
Some bathed & after dark watched swarms of sea snakes round the end of
the pier. Champagne flowed & Mrs Furber drank too much. I Went with Max
& Leila.

Thursday 8th August

Took Vallance out to the Thornburgs where we stayed till Mohd Ali Quanal
arrived. A quiet crossing for a change. Bathed.