Page 1679 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

1676

1944

Thursday 11th March

Office, saw various people, Hills about Sh Abdulla's house & others.
Went to Jidda after lunch, by launch. Found the new room extremely
pleasant and fixed up the curtains & bits of furniture which we brought.
Did nothing in particular, a very stormy looking day & gray skies.

The parson left after an early lunch & the Hallows looked in off the down
boat en route for India.

Spent some time at Customs with DC.

Friday 12th March

Washed the dogs in the morning & wrote a letter or two, very stormy day.
Snows arrived from Budega & Hills & Dixon sailed from Manama but Dixon,
not having been asked to lunch, didnt come. I had a look at site for
jail with M Jafar, who came from Budega. Rough in afternoon, HID decided
to go back to Budega leaving the boats at Jidda, we followed by launch
later & sea had gone down.

DC came in before dinner.

Saturday 13th March

Fort. HH & Sh A came in, discussed the cotton price ramp - all the
merchants are holding stock & selling to each other at huge prices so the
poor cant buy except in the black market. Told HH I wanted to go on
leave in July - he approved & agreed that B.T. might act for me - without
much enthusiasm - he kept on repeating - "better than nobody" which was
not flattering. Discussed food supplies & state of country. Saw various
people. Had a dinner party in the evening, Dixons, Phillips, DC and
Harper. Bridge. Quite pleasant. Flowers, an arrangement of white
alyssum, stocks & sultans & on the table a long spray of nasturtium.

M took Man Girls school to picnic at Budega.