Page 1743 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1944

Wednesday 20th October

Linlithgows

Hot sticky weather. Fort & then to the Tech School, GP went to see it
later on. Busy morning. Young brought new CRE to call, a dull person,
Dixon came in also Smith & Wakelin. Usual alarms & changes re the V.R.
party who arrived 20 minutes before time, at 12.30, they travelling by
Indian time thought it 4pm. Same programme, Police on roads & in the
launch, escort in pick up. They consisted of V.R couple, 2 tall
daughters & 1 d i law, Laithwaite, an ADC & a lady sec, maid & valet. He
is very tall big ugly man, dressed in a heavy looking suit & butterfly
collars. She very tall, white curly hair, daughters, plain, d i law
pretty with small child. Took them to Agency for tea, very amiable, I
drove Stoker who knew each other well. Had quite a long talk with him
about elephant hunting, found him pleasant. Shaikhs called, he was far
better with them than Wavell & the whole party more pulled together &
much more impressive though easier to talk to. The lady sec was pleasant
& amusing & I liked meeting her. The second machine left a long time
later & we sat on the pier hot & sweating. Didnt get much talk with
Laithwaite - who has got very fat.

Friday 22nd October

Drove out PM looking for something to paint but no success, went to
Budega & back.

Cocktail party at Chases to meet new General P.R.I force and new AVM,
then dinner at the Agency, men only, I sat next to the AVM & talked to
General later on, both quite pleasant, the General very young, Hick is a
heavy host but dinner quite good.