Page 851 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

849

1934

the noise won't wake James. Been busy all day. Mrs Loch came over after tea with a lot of flowers. I arranged the
table as last year with coloured leaves lit from beneath by electric lights. We had the table T-shaped to seat 24 people,
some at the last moment failed us, if they had come it would have been a very tight fit. The Skinners shared the party
with us. It was a great success partly owing to champagne cocktails, two rounds of them before dinner. I did a little
place card for each person at dinner, very topical. After dinner we went down to the long room and had a few games,
then a

Sunday 14th January

Went to Agency in morning to discuss the matter of the Japanese boat. There is a complaint about the handling
charges from some of the importers. My policy is to be as awkward as possible over it to deter people from
encouraging Japanese boats to come here again, especially as I hear there may be another. This cargo is all cement and
very cheap. No news about my passport to Bushire...

Motored. Cold day, shamaal blowing. Played Bridge at de Greniers. They have had their room painted. It reminds me
of a "lounge" in a boarding house, utterly unpersonal & without character, yet it could be nice as the room is well
proportioned.

Monday 15th January

Fort. Very cold. Baila the Counsul from Bushire who is staying at the Agency came in and stayed a long
time asking questions for the trade report. He is very impressed with Bahrain and says it compares