Page 835 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

decorations. The dinner went off excellently, again the Shaikh proposed the King's health. We had a band all
the time. The C in C presented the Shaikh, after dinner, with a very nice silver plaque of the ship on ebony,
made on board. Afterwards we had a conjuror who did some very good tricks. The Shaikh left early. I stayed
on & came back with Agency party. Saw all the papers about Jafair & had a long talk to Phillips about
estimates. Lovely night & absolutely still on board. The dinner table looked very handsome, a huge large one
full of fine silver.

Thursday 9th [November]

Very busy morning doing a lot of rush work for Resident, estimates & letter re oil. Went to Agency for half an
hour. Never stopped working all the morning. Luncheon party at Muharraq, rather a mix up. Yesterday the
Admiral asked me to send in pilot as they would go direct - then Lock said they were coming to Manama first
so the pilot was not needed - in the end they went direct & got badly stuck on a sand bank so instead of
arriving at 1 pm they arrived at 2 pm & the Shaikh had to wait an hour & got very bothered over it! however
it was quite a good party. Then we went out to see the aerodrome & then came back in Agency launch &
stuck again as tide was low. After that we had a conference at the Agency about Jafair & they discussed my
estimates. The Resident seemed very intelligent but Lock said nothing at all. Sent long cable to the
Admiralty & India Office.

Another dinner party on board, it was very rough & I persuaded M not to go. James & Nanny
went out, by invitation, to the ship in afternoon & had an awful time getting home as the launches broke
down. Very rough going out but quite still on the ship. There were 30 people at dinner. Band played the
national anthem composed for the Shaikh. Afterwards a very good cinema, a talkie, which I enjoyed
enormously. The ship sails early tomorrow.

Friday 10th November

Slept late. Went down the bazaar, looked in at the photographer & saw the photos of Ham's wedding, they
are very good indeed. Cool day & a shamaal. Gardened in afternoon & to the Agency for tennis. Very few
people. Tea in the garden, at least on the edge of the tennis court which was rather uncomfortable. Their
drawing room is still unsafe. Major Bremner the Political Agent, Muscat, was there. He has grown a beard
which makes him look rather handsome. He was at Bedford and talks much about "the old school" which I
find rather tiresome, Namood returned from leave in Hassa. Played Bridge at the Skinners after the Agency.

Saturday 11th [November]