Page 1053 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

1051

1935

Fort. Made final arrangements about the route march, the Police start tomorrow & will be out for five
days. Office. Fisher came in to discuss parade on 6th May. He had some good suggestions but amused
me by saying that he did not want to do any manoeuvres which would slow up the navy as being better
than the Police! As a matter of fact the Police are decidedly better at drill than the navy but they have
much more opportunity for training. The Shaikh came in and asked me to go to Ahmed's wedding at
Hedd whatever time I liked so I agreed to go but might so as not to mess up Friday. He was very aimable.
I am getting on with the Annual Report at last. Did some work in the office after tea & then to dinner at
the Palace. Holmes & DG were there, six mats and about 15 people at each one. Shaikh Juma bin
Makhtom is staying here, quite a pleasant person, very typical of Oman with a long nose & very bright
eyes & black ringlets, but more up to date in his conversation than most Omani Shaikhs. After dinner we
all went down to the RAF pier & the, sitting on the trolley, to the launch & then direct by sea to Hedd. It
was a lovely night absolutely smooth & no moon & tide fairly high. Some difficulty over landing at
Hedd. DG tumbled down in getting out of the boat onto a high pier, very awkward place for those who