Page 1520 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1942

Court.

HH arrived several hours earlier than expected so no preparations, he looks better than he has for a long
time & sounds well too all seemed to have enjoyed trip but they had great cold & frost most days.

Tuesday 16th December

Reid of Holloways arrived to stay with us for the bridge opening.

Cocktail party at Grisewoods.

Thursday 18th December

Manama - Muharraq bridge opened.

Very hot day, south wind but not too much of it. Spent most of morning arranging seats etc on the
causeway. Went back early after lunch. All went off well but it was very hot, most people had to sit in the
sun. Several speeches & a poem, it took about an hour. HH arrived with cavalry escort which looked very
showy only blot being the Amir, among the escort, in queer mufti. HH looked rather exhausted. There
were crowds of people. European photographers behaved very badly pushing about to take pictures, I had
allowed one or two to do so but many others came in. Afterwards Hh walked to the bridge, cut the cord &
then walked over followed by entire party & a huge crowd. At other side he got car & drove off. Rest stood
waiting while stream of cars passed by. We drove over plain & round the town, getting stuck in a narrow
lane. All arrangements worked smoothly & traffic control excellent. Police looked very smart & marched

better than I have seen before.

Cinema in evening - a poor film, Brigham Young, mormon.

Friday 19th December