Page 1571 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

1568

1942

Fort. Had meant to go off for week end but launch out of order. Busy morning in
office, saw various people, Sh A b Hamed & others.

Friday 29th May

5

Had meant to go to Zegireh but launch out of order so went to Jeddad where I
lunched & bathed and then after tea down the road beyond Sakhir & turned off into
the wadis leading to the Sebel, with the dogs. Put up one hare which Hosha
caught. Came back, changed & went to a cocktail party at the base for a Dutch
sloop which is in, very hot & not amusing, left as soon as I could. The Dutch
officers looked very like Englishmen, especially young ones, all talked English,
none spoke very well.

Saturday 30th May

Fort. Went down to the hospital where new ward is being built. Looked over the
Admin. block which looks very professional. A very busy morning. Spent an hour
at Agency with DC and Campbell discussing food supplies, the position here is
difficult, for some time there was no flour, then an ARP meeting which lasted till
1 pm & then Kh Kanoo with a long complaint about business affairs. In afternoon
went to Muharraq & looked round the work there. Dined at Awali with Hewitt, eight
men, played bridge. Atmosphere in AC house, 2 pipes 2 cigars & 4 cigarettes going
all the time, was simply frightful & I got a real bad headache - going out into
the open air was like entering an ice box.

Sunday 31st May

Office, HH came in & stayed nearly two hours, discussed rise in salaries or war
allowances also Qattar at length & other matters. Saw Chase about RAF work and
our tolls on bridge.

After tea went to Saar and did a sketch of the village from the sand dhunes. Saw
Rashid who was interesting re local opinion on ARP work. The Gunns & Mathews to