Page 1607 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

1604

1942

regarded as a reserve for other States, so it doesnt appear to belong to us at all. To the Customs on the
way back. Innumerable conversations with Agency re wheat. Saw Hunaba Effendi about cultivating
the pound west of the Palace gardens.

Went out sketching in the evening with the Hutchings at Zinj, got the picture I had drawn in fairly
well started. They came back afterwards. Dinner with the De la mares, Haq, Dixon, Phillips &
Hewitt, quite a pleasant evening, played bridge but the party went on much too late.

Refused a tea party in Mansoor Aragth's garden, awful series of parties.

Thursday 3rd September

Fort.

Rode down to the hospital to see Snow. Storm arrived from USA. Saw innumerable people in the
office, Sh Mohd after wheat but much put off at hearing the price, Steele, ABJ about a store for
150,000 bags of sugar, Wakelin & Chase. Altogether a very busy morning. Pleasantly cool & quite a
stiff shamaal. Went to Jidda in the afternoon after listening to the news - which didnt sound good, as
usual. After tea did a sketch of the gray tower with a curious dull sunset, misty & the sea looking like
a pale yellow plate, quite a successful sketch. In the evening the wind fell & it was quite warm.
Found all well at Jidda. I sailed over from Budega in old Salim's joliboat with his venerable crew
who all look equally ancient.

Had a long talk with Mahrea at Tajar about getting wheat milled by local people in their houses.

Friday 4th September