Page 1586 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1942

Monday 13th July

Fort. Slept outside for the first time for about ten days, the Bura is petering
out but it has played up well. Court most of the morning, dull cases &
irritatingly slow, I believe another court clerk would speed the work. To Aali in
the afternoon to assess the rates to be paid by householders for the special
naturs, then to library at Awali. Russian news very bad indeed, extremely
depressed by the war news, it all seems so inevitable.

Tuesday 14th July

Cinema, a very good picture based on Jack London, Sea Wolf. Went round to the
TTs after the show.

Wednesday 15th July

Dined with Thomas, Wakefield & Hewitt, Bridge.

Thursday 16th July

Fort. Didnt get much work done. The Duke was expected at 12.30, HH came in about
an hour before & Sh S also. Went over to Mhq as I thought very early 11.45 & to
my horror as I was driving slowly along I saw the procession advancing from the
aerodrome, the plane arrived 3/4 hrs early & our people landed up there just after
HRH got out - however he took it perfectly well & seemed to think it rather a
joke. Lunch at the Agency, sat next to Kerl who I like, Chase, Uncle Bert &
Stokes were there, Uncle B very ponderous talking in an ultra parsonic voice, the
Duke, I thought, regarded him with slight aversion. Not such a bright party as
last time - but conditions were different. Sat on veranda after lunch, a message
that plane delayed owing to engine trouble. Duke retired to sleep & I went off to