Page 1182 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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A very unpleasant day, low grey clouds, temperature 94 and the feeling of a thunderstorm that didn't come
all day. Didn't go to the Fort in the morning as we had such a late night. Worked in the office. The Shaikh

came in to bid farewell to Loch, Abdulla & I went over to the Agency to meet him there. Not a long visit, I
waited on afterwards as Loch told me the startling news that the Shaikh is being invited to go to London as
a guest of the Government in the middle of June. Loch just mentioned it to him but as he went home at
once I had no chance of discussing it with him. It is all very sudden & there will be much to arrange. In the
afternoon we had tennis as usual. DG came round again to the Office about his house, having quite
wrongly got it into his head that the verandas are half the width they actually are. We played Bridge & sat
out on the new terrace & found it pleasantly cool. The Lochs leave tomorrow. Everyone very fussed over
this rebellion in Iraq which makes it impossible to get by line or road from Basra to Baghdad.

Thursday 7th May

Went to Muharraq in morning to see the Lochs off. M & I & Holmes, aeroplane late so a long wait there.
One of the passengers, a young woman, appeared in shorts & bare legs & flesh coloured shirt which looked
as if she had nothing on, awful sight, Loch very upset about it. Then went to Hedd to see the new
dispensary. Nice day, shamaal. Office. Drove out in afternoon & played golf then to the Morris's. A horrid
film about aeroplanes crashing, most unsuitable & unpleasant. Didn't enjoy it. Holmes returned from Cairo
yesterday by air. Busy considering the problem of the Shaikh's journey. I went & saw Smith about it. If the
rebellion continues it will be very complicated not being able to go from Basra to Baghdad.

Tuesday 12th May

Hot day. Fort in the morning & then office all day. Saw DG about the plans fo customs etc, still very sulky
about it. Decided to carry on the work but if there is any trouble I should stop it by telegram. Slept in
afternoon, the new NPN.. Howes, came to call, he seemed a decent fellow, quite young. Drove out in
evening & then had people to dinner, the Phillips, Hunters & Peppercorns, played Bridge outside. They
stayed very late. Hot evening & very damp. The gold mohr tree is in full blossom, a really lovely sight, had a
big bunch

Friday 14th January