Page 1711 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

1708

1944

Wednesday 2nd June

Fort.

Very strong shamaal & some dust, wonderfully cool, not using fan.
Russell didnt go as the plane did not leave owing to bad weather reports
from Iraq. Office, not much going on. Saw various people. Took Russell
up to Jufair & then to the Fort to investigate a slave & smuggling case.

My house at Jidda was broken into by a Policeman, a bad lot who we meant
to discharge.

Thursday 3rd June

Fort. Didnt go to Jidda, Russell was leaving but as weather reports bad
from Basla they didnt go.

Drove to Hedd & saw the shop then up to the Palace & round about the
place. Russell went early to bed as leaving early by air.

Friday 4th June

Russell left very early but they had to make forced landing near Al
Rhobar in a sand storm with only one of the two engines working. When
they got back to Bn, he arrived, as usual, at breakfast, it is the
regular habit of air visitors & almost surprising if one leaves by air &
does not return. Drove out to Awali in morning, an ugly gray dusty day &
sandstorm in the middle of the island. Went to Fort after tea & took
down statements in slave case. Had Wakefield Snow & Smith to dinner &
all went to the play at the Boys school in Muharraq - rather dull but
mercifully short compared to some.