Page 1601 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1942

Busy morning various people came in.

Didnt go out in afternoon, the TTs came in.

Dined at Agency to meet the AOC & Russell, sat next to him at dinner, they had just met Winston &
were very interesting about the Moscow visit. Discussed enlisting men for labour or guards in Persia.
I said I believed we could get a couple of hundred here - I fancy the Political people had told him
something different. Went to Jidda via Budega after dinner, a pleasant trip in the moonlight. Found
the pergola which had been built was very badly done. Cool & dry, a pleasant change.

Friday 21st August

At Jidda.

The band boys went to Bena island to catch fish, by dope, & brought back a quantity of fine ones,
others sailed to Zegereh & brought melons & figs.

Roselle arrived with the cook at about 5 & the guests about 6.15, seventeen altogether, an excellent
dinner and all seemed to enjoy it very much. The band played during dinner & later they danced
which was a great success. People went at about eleven, a fine moon & a high tide to get back on.
Altogether a very successful party.

Saturday 22nd August

Shaikh at his island, island visits seem fashionable. Busy morning. Spent a long time at the Agency
with DC discussing food problems, DCs manner is becoming more & more objectionable. Went out
in afternoon with Haq, picked up Godfrey & went all over the cultivation around Zellag looking at the