Page 2200 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

2197

1945

At Jidda, a very low tide, so low that the sailing boat could not get along the pier at Budeya to bring off Hay
& Mary who came to lunch. They had to be carried - they seemed to enjoy themselves and stayed till after
tea when we returned together. We went all round the island & saw all that there was to see. Mary wore
frightful clothes but she is quite a pleasant girl though nothing to look at & rather dull. Coming back the tide
was better but the launch engine was not working properly & we crawled across to Jidda. The engine is 9
years old.

Saturday 8th February

The fort presents the appearance of a camp as we have about 50 tents in & around it, which I bought from the
RAF disposals people. I hope they will be a good bargain as most of them are to be sold after reserving our
needs. Shaikh came back in, HH didnt stay long as he went to the Agency to return G's call. James sent a
photo of his tea party for the Bahrain boys which interested the Shaikh very much, they had difficulty in
picking out the boys. He also sent an article he had in the Beirut paper. Saw various people. Discussed with
Sh A my letter to the Beladya about house taxes, had Leigh, Mansoor al al Araydh & others. Gardened as
usual after lunch and later drove round to see the club well, 240 feet & a little water, the Palace garden and
the new garden where we have put in a lot more trees, gold mohura, ficies, & pepul, then in to see Kathereen
Snow, Dick being in bed with what sounded like flu. Rather a damp day, very heavy dew at night.