Page 1173 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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Fort - Office. Busy morning. Went down to see DG about the plans for the new customs house. To my
surprise he seemed quite pleased with them only saying thast the whole building was too small. Usual

tennis party in afternoon - quite a lot of tennis as not many people.

Thursday 2nd April

Holiday. Drove to Sitra in the morning & saw the new school, it looks rather long & narrow - a very bumpy
road. Played golf in the afternoon. The Kirkpatricks came in to say goodbye as they are leaving on the next
up mail. Had an early dinner & went to the cinema, a poor film, then had a sort of second dinner & went
out to the materns, stayed some time at the Persian one & then watched the procession. It is most
spectacular at night as the lights are carried in the procession and all the colours shine out. A great many
people about, many Iraqis from the Jebel. Had tea with Major Holmes - a most excellent tea with delicious

scones.

Friday 3rd April

Spent most of the morning watching the Muharram procession. It was a very good show this year, most
spectacular and more gay than usual/ There were many more men with swords than last year & the
number taking part was greater altogether. The affair was more organised & the Police arrangements were
more elaborate. I had the Police armed with lathes instead of rifles as they could easily make a fence &
keep people back. M went with Mrs Steele to a house in the square where she had a good view. Three or

four men were carried off on the stretcher which we used for the first time, this also was a good idea.
Afterwards I watched the procession from another part of the town. I had meant to take photos but got
the wrong size films. There were lots of American from the Jebel, they all behaved quite well & had seats
on the top of a house of ... coffee shop. In afternoon I had a sleep as I didn't get back till very late last night
and then we drove up to the golf course to see the match between Manama & the Jebel - which ended in a
draw. Lots of people there & a great crowd of cars. Afterwards to tea at the Skinners & then Hickinbottom
& DG came to dinner & played Bridge. After dinner the SNO & five Officers came in all having come to see
the Muharram procession which they thought was at night not in the day time. A busy day. Fine day, cool
shamaal & brilliantly sunny.

Saturday 4th April