Page 2112 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1945

Friday 26th July

At Jidda, came back rather early by launch & went to a cocktail party on the Norfolk - a perfectly awful
affair, sweltering heat & everyone dripping. Then had dinner with the Captain, 104 in his cabin, a wretched
dinner & altogether a most disagreeable affair, nobody even pretended to be comfortable.

Saturday 27th July

Fort. Very hot damp morning. Shaikhs came in, HH again tackled me about his money affairs & as usual
about Zubara. He stayed very late. Saw Cochrane who evidently thought he should be asked to the party.
These people - get so difficult over social pomp.

Spent afternoon at the Palace fixing everything up for the dinner party, it was quite a success though the food
was not really very nice. Hh has one of the less good cooks & some of the food was not hot enough, there
were 29 people altogether & not room for another one.