Page 2278 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

2275

1945

Office, saw a great many people, three merchants complaining about thefts of letters containing dollar notes
from the post office, Abdel Kerim on the same matter, Hamed bin Mohd as usual whining for more money,
one Rogers of AIR about a water supply for the houses they are going to build and also complaining about
the rise in wages. I cannot make out why there were no discussions on the subject among all persons
employing labour. Went to the Tech school, it seemed to be running fairly well with quite a number of new
boys there. Cochrane came in, he has not got much to say for himself at present. Dined with the Godfreys,
also present Holdstock, the Biggars, & a Mrs FitzPatrick, American wife of an English bank manager still a
patient at Awali from the aeroplane crash, I found her pleasant. I arrived at 9 & dined at about 9.30 - awful
habit. Played one rubber of Bridge. M not well & should not I think have gone out to dinner.

Friday 17th October

End of diving season.

Went to Jidda in the morning, M has a boil inside her nose & badly swollen. Lovely day, cool on the sea.
Spent a very lazy day sleeping & reading & just doing nothing. I tried the lights in the evening, fairly good
but those in the sitting room are most unsuitable. Leigh displayed complete lack of taste in using some old
would be French style brackets in a rough stone room. Infuriated to find the island full of yapping dogs.