Page 1765 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1944

Saturday 26th February

HH didnt come, various people came in, Thornton about houses. Spent a
long time at the refinery, HH went there and talked Zubara for several
hours, Hick very fussed over food position, apparently GP very difficult
& trying to excuse himself for making a bad arrangement with UKCC by
saying he had not been told of discussions here with their man recently.
Gardened & arranged flowers, not much out bar marigolds & nasturtians.
Cocktail party at the base to meet the SNO, rather a mixed lot - a type
of party I dont care for.

Had the parson, RAF, & Van Ps to dinner after cocktail party, went off
quite well, we had a long talk about the idea of a church, I dont think
they were very hopeful of getting any money here at present.

Sunday 27th February

A celebration in the morning, 14 people, RAF padre, a naval Chaplain came
from the Base, a pleasant person. Office. Lunch with Sh Muhd in his
garden, he has a nice little house there now & we lunched on veranda
looking over tree tops & trees bearing big yellow citrus, the sons
were there, Hick & the Hadows. Muhd very talkative, he is nearly 70,
spoke of what impressed him in England, orderliness, no noise in cafes
although hundreds of people, ques at ticket stations without Police to
order them & people giving up seats in underground & saying sorry if they
bumped. Took a short drive pm, the TTs came in. Cut a lot of vegetables
to send to people, cabbages & cauliflowers doing very well. Strong
shamaal, cold day, the Aguza blowing, at last said it.