Page 1734 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

1731

1944

urgent matter as usual. We are being given barley to eke out the wheat.
Ordered next year's supply of dates from Iraq, a matter of 13 lakhs
about. Drove to Budega & then Smith came in to call, discussed his
matrimonial plans. The garden quite nice but empty of flowers. All the
Arabs seemed really glad I was back, not just eyewash. Not much work
going on as is usual in Ramadhan.

Wednesday 22nd September

Office. Hutchings came in & various other people.

Miss Harbottle called & then Dalton, Airways, & one of his people staying
here who was on the plane with us.

Thursday 23rd September

Office. Various people came in, Dixon for a long time re bread, & other
matters. Seyd Omar, MA Zainal's man who said nobody was buying pearls as
the price here above Bombay prices. Also said some were holding on, in
Bin Mutter, hoping for after war boom.

Campbell called.

Drove to Idari, rather overgrown. Dined with Snow, nobody else there.
Had a good gossip.

Friday 24th September

Went to Jidda after breakfast. Lovely day & cool on the sea. Spent the
day lazing about reading old Times and bathing. All well, the new jail
looks very nice & the Police quarters above very cool & a splendid view
all round the island, very few prisoners. The fish trap has been moved &
produced lots of fine Safi - pompfrets. Signs of many hares but I didnt
take the dogs.