11th - 14th August, 1947 - For an adventure, nothing much is happening at the moment and the swotting is a struggle!

Monday, 11^th August, 1947

Nothing very exciting happens here at any time.

We are rather looking forward to the Army as it will be some change in local conditions.

 

Tuesday, 12^th August, 1947

A Major in the Welsh Guards turned up today to look the district over before sending his troops here.

“Blanko” asked him of his intentions, he replied “Too damn hot here for them” so it looks as if that’s off.  

Masoud Shedadeh did not apparently let the Palestinians know about these troop movements as the wireless operator, a peculiarly bad-tempered Palestinian, came and asked me if I knew anything about it.  I told him it was probably too damned hot for them here.  This apparently satisfied him.

Wednesday, 13 August, 1947

I went to Court this morning, was bored stiff with the many R.T.O. contraventions the fines fore which have very little affect on the finees I fancy as the majority were smirking rather contemptuously as they left the dock.

Our Prisoner accused of robbery down the Ghore was dismissed as the Magistrate saw reason to doubt the truth of the complainant’s statement.

Thursday, 14^th August, 1947

Bags of Law again today

Why can’t those words like “Dwelling House” “Law” “Public” etc have shorter definitions.

16th - 18th June, 1947 - Rough terrain training and Ron is surprised at local mores.

Monday 16^th June, 1947

Nothing exciting happened this morning.

Our temperatures were however excited this afternoon by a cross country walk under that Jebal Basher Sargeant Blanks.

He kept us at a steady pace over valley and hill.  We had no water bottles so felt rather the worse for the heat when on the move.

We thought we were going to enjoy a lemon given to us by a villager but after taking off the peel we found the inside dried out.

Tuesday, 17^th June, 1947

I went to court today with Masoud Shehadeh.

All the proceedings are given in Arabic and as the accused & witnesses were “fellahs” their Arabic was not as I had learned it.

What contrasting views on decency are held by the English and the Arabs.

A young woman appears in court, carrying her baby, to support her accused husband.  Her face of course is partially covered but apparently she is allowed to feed her child in public without any attempt at concealing her breast.

Wednesday, 18^th June, 1947

The wireless was fixed up today by the wireless operator & I must admit most of us spent most of the day in the rather empty recreation room enjoying the music which we have not been able to have until now.