Page 22 - Belgrave Diaries 1945_Neat

1945

of mind. Nice day but still very cold. Saw Sh Khalifah about getting a new launch & water from his gard<
for the army also re cars. He was in very good form.

Various people came in the afternoon. Stoker, to tea, the Birds to call, also Hick & then the Snows to dim
A cold day. James & Edward very occupied in planning a show of pets - fur & feather in aid of war funds.

Wednesday 31 st January

Rode round race course, some parts rather soft. Lovely day, dry but cold. Over 3 inches of rain alreadyy-
great mess everywhere. Office, spent some time on annual report, am getting on with it a bit earlier this e=
Saw Sh Ibrahim and Leigh, the latter looked very distraught & seemed somewhat hysterical. Van der
left after lunch by launch to al Khobar, I have greatly enjoyed having him here, a pleasant & most inter(.s
man & a good talker. Spent some time at the Agency in the morning discussing terms for Brit Policy
Sulman b Mohd and the case against the Saudi customs officer. Painted in afternoon & took M for a dvi
Mhq. Russian news was very good, well into Germany & on the way to Berlin. Flowers in gard1'
beginning to come out but it badly needs sun & warmth, these endless gray rainy days have been too
Van M talked most interestingly about his week end with the Ex Kaiser at Dorn and his experier
Germany after the war also about Japanese espionage in the East Indies.