Page 861 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

859

1934

Saturday [3rd February]

Court in the morning. Shaikh Sulman has not returned yet so I am still sitting alone which is a great
nuisance as if I have to leave the court it is held up for all the time I am away. Dinner party at the Banks
eight people & two Bridge tables, quite pleasant but Mrs Ham has such a terrible accent, even worse than
Mrs Steele, her sister. The navy had asked various men to dine with the Wardroom & they expected Mrs
Ham to cancel her party but she did not.

Sunday 4th Feb

Court all the morning. M went out to the Shoreham for a service followed by a cocktail party. Dinner
with the Wardroom in the Shoreham. the senior man is an Australian called Shaw, a most objectionable
person. The SNO unexpectedly had dinner in the ship as important news had come in about another row
at Baredw & Shaw was most imprudent to him. Loch & I were the only guests. I quite enjoyed the party
as they did not press liquor on one as is usually the custom of wardrooms. After dinner, a moderately
good one, we played dominoes. We left quite early & the SNO came ashore. I can't think how he thinks
having Shaw on his ship.

Monday Feb 5th