Page 2180 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

2177

1945

Friday 29th November

Spent the morning on the race course, very cloudy. Lunched with the Leighs - a great nuisance as I had a lot
to do, Hay & Pelly were there, the former complaining of a hangover from the night before. Left before
lunch was finished in order to get to the course by 2. H arrived in state with mounted escort, quite a smart
turn out, & drove down the course in Ascot style. The races did not run as smoothly as last time & somehow
things didnt seem to go to well - I dont know why, one race had to be run again & there was some
confusion over it. The stand a great success. There were fewer people & quite a lot left before the end. M &
I did badly & none of my ponies won. Thunder got awkward & wouldnt have her bit put in her mouth so in
the re run race she ran without it. A few people came in for drinks afterwards. After dinner went to the town
cinema to see the film of Ibn Saud's visit to Egypt, quite a good picture.

Saturday 30th November

Shaikhs came as usual. Sh A went off to the mainland on a three weeks hunting trip taking a number of the
younger shaikhs. Some rain in the night & very dark & cloudy in the morning. HH appeared satisfied with
the races & talked a lot about them. Discussed Hussain Agha's cotton mill proposition and the retention of
the British Police, HH seems very keen on having them - mainly I fancy because other gulf potentates have