Page 1200 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1940

Went by camel to the end of the island. Took four men from the camel section, we were out almost five
hours. I enjoyed it but got very very stiff & sore. I have not had a long camel ride for about 15 years so am

quite unaccustomed to it. It was very hot & dry, & then quite suddenly on our way back the wind turned
shamaal & blew very strong, a real gale, all the afternoon & night. There are some quite nice places in the
island & after rain it must look very attractive. This year all the plants & brushwood are dry, but there are
quantities of plants showing, how green it must be some years. Saw a lot of big nests, sea birds, sort of fish
hawks. had a pleasant bathe in a delightful little sandy bay, the water was not too cold, lay on the sand &
dried in the sun & got very sunburned. In the evening I went to the village & drank coffee with the
headman, rather a tiresome old fellow, they resent us having developed the place which they seem to
consider as their own property. A roaring gale, I have no intention of returning tomorrow if weather
continues so bad.

Saturday 2nd April

Didn't go, a terrific gale all night, the sea a mass of huge waves. The launch got adrfit twice during the
night. Really cold, amazing for the time of year. After breakfast I went for a long walk along the coast

behind the fort, on that side there are quite high white cliffs, and little sandy coves, quite different to the
other part of the island. Big seas breaking over the rocky islands on the east. Reading Daniel Curlie by R.
Hakem - interesting. I took another walk in the evening & went & drank coffee with our Arab overseer &
the engineer of the drilling machine, stayed a long while listening to their stories & talk. Really cold, moved
down to the tower lower room as it was so drafty above.

Sunday 3rd April

Returned from Hawar.

Monday 4th April

Court for liquor case.

Tuesday 5th April