Page 712 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

1932

Friday [15 April]

Bank in the morning and after tea we went out to Senian with the dogs. The orange trees are growing very well and some are
in flower which I did not expect so soon. In the evening we had a dinner party of 12 for Dr Tiffany and her fiance, one of the
drillers. It went off very well, we had a mixed crowd and several of the Mission, we gave them champagne and had the table
decorated with white flowers which seemed suitable for the occasion, it was really a very successful party and they all seemed
to enjoy it very much.

Saturday 16th April 1932

Went across to Muharraq in the morning and paid calls. I went with the Indian Assistant from the Agency, Khan Bahadur
Abdul Haiy, quite a pleasant little Indian but very fussy, we went in the Agency launch and as the tide was low we hardly
managed to get there and stopped many times and took three quarters of an hour to cross, a man off a passing launch saw that
we were in difficulties and so waded across and came aboard as a pilot. Called first on old Shaikh Isa, I had not seen him since
he was ill but he didnt look very much different, he seemed extremly bored by us and didnt speak at all except once to hurry
the servants who were bringing the rose water and insense which is always a sign that visitors can go. Then we went to
Abdulla and to Ibrahaim and to Rashid which passed off quite well except that Rashid bored me by talking so much about the
bad doings of the Municipal Council in Muharraq, he dislikes it as Abdulla is president. It seemed a very quiet Eid and few
people about and no singing or dancing and not as many brightly dressed children as usual. When I got back I found that M
was still out, paying a call on some Arab ladies, so I went round and called on the Kanoos and the Kozaibis. In the afternoon I
took the Khan Bahadur, the Indian Superintendent of Police and de Grenier out to call on the Shaikh at Sakhrir, Major Holmes
was there and a lot of jungly looking Arabs. A very short call, afterwards we went along to the D.Gs, M had gone out a drive
with Mrs D.G. and Mrs Holmes. Dined at the Steeles, quite a big party, sat on the veranda after dinner as it was rather warm
though not unpleasantly hot.

Sunday [17 April]

Dull gray day but quite cool. Went up to the Fort and the Police Station in the morning. In the afternoon we went for a long
motor drive to Aali and home by Budeya, its a very nice drive and one passes a variety of country. Then went in to see Holmes
and then M went to see Mrs Dr Holmes and old Bassam came in to see M and say good bye. Dinner party at the de Greniers, a
most awful show, it completely hung fire. Prior arrived after dinner off the boat and came back with us when we left which
was as early as we possibly could. He seemed depressed I thought after his trip and I fancy he found the personages at Delhi
rather chilly.

Monday [18 April]