Page 442 - Belgrave Diaries 1945_Neat

1945

Hugh came in the morning & we went to call on Sh Abdulla, not having found him yesterday, he looked, as
he often does, very sour surrounded by the drunken sons, not actually drunk but looking as if they had all
been so lately. A bunch of Hindus came in & then a party of oil merchants - Hanna, Russell Brown & W
escorted by Hussain Latum. Hugh came back for awhile. After lunch we went, by sea, to Jidda, a pleasant
trip, I slept most of the way. Took a walk round & bathed in the tank & after dinner played the gramaphone
& wrote letters. Still no news from James. I am putting up an outside wall beyond the ferrush in the dining
room, it should make it cooler.

Sunday 26th October

At Jidda.

Did a lot of pruning in the garden in the morning, had a bathe and then met the Hannas who came to lunch.
Lovely day & quite cool. Sat on the terrace talking, took him over to see the jail. Later went by launch to
Om as Sabaar & saw Max's house which is now coming on quite fast, the ground floor practically ready. It is
now a nice house with a lovely view down the garden to the sea.

When we got home the Leighs came in & then Hugh Weightman. Lent him £5 in Iraq dinars. He outstayed
the Leighs who were very slow to go, it was evident though that we didnt want them to stay.