Page 1685 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

1682

1944

Went to Customs after lunch till after 5 then drove at Mhq and Blue came
in before dinner, GP dined with us, also heavy with cold.

Wednesday 31st March

Rather a heavy cold, didnt go to Fort. Busy morning, spent some time at
Customs arguing with the owner of the flour mill. At Agency for some
time, discussed sugar with Campbell & Wakefield.

Drove to Muharraq, cold & some rain. Had a dinner party, Steeles, Gunns,
Chase, Anderson, Hills & Dalton, one table bridge one of other game. All
very enthusiastic about the sweet - mocha or Vienna cake. A barge burned
out in the sea near pier.

Thursday 1st April

Fort

Raw day & some rain, heavy rain at end of the island. Shaikhs all came
in & went to RAF show, a parade of the Levies but badly managed & very
dull as it rained hard & all badly arranged, Shaikhs didnt seem to enjoy
having to stand & the audience were so far from the saluting base that
one couldnt see much. GP took the salute but seemed most uncertain as to
how to do it. Some people called Walker, APOC, couple & boy came to
lunch & tea, drove them around & showed them Awali, M knew them in
Kashmir. Dr Holmes also ashore. Comandeered the flour mill & started
working it - it will cause a big outcry.

Friday 2nd April

Extremely lazy day, did nothing. Gardened in the morning, went for a
drive after tea & the TTs looked in before dinner. A launch came from
Qattar with a lot of so-called sick people. Held them up. Fine sunny
day. Garden very backward.