Page 1226 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1940

Thursday 19th January

Meeting at Sakhrir. Holmes had nothing definite to say. Afterwards we had some very straight talk about

oil. He is such an old fool. Called on Davies at his office to go over minutes of previous meeting.

Drove to Budeya, first took the papers out to the camp, potatoes doing very well.

Packer party. Dined first with Weightmans, a pleasant friendly dinner, then to Packers - an awful affair I
thought. Said to be 102 people there. Dancing in the passage, too narrow, tunes with short intervals
between them & a confusion of elaborate light effects jumping in & out. Indifferent dinner, champagne
flowing all the evening & whiskey too, as I drink both I did badly. Got away after 3pm feeling quite worn
out. One or two got drunk but not as many as I expected.

Friday 20th January

Cold, brilliant sun. Got up very late, went after breakfast to see the hospital & APA's house, the latter
getting on well, then worked in the garden. Cinema after lunch - rotten film. Wrote letters after tea. The
parson staying with us.

Weightmans went to Basra.

Saturday 21st January

Fort, the parson had a service but I didn't go. Went to Fort. Busy morning in office.