Tues March 28 [28 March 1911] At 6 Temp 52 Bar 29.15. Off at 6.45
and rode through the town which was not interesting. We finally left the
town at 7. Rode over the same plain between 2 bare ranges of
fantastic low hills. Some camps and flocks. The Arabs and the town
people cover it for a few months when the grass is grown, but there is
no permanent water and therefore no villages and little cultivation.
Very charming country all the same. We passed the valley of the
Khurus Chai at 9.30 and at 12.30 got to another valley where I lunched
in a heavy shower. Reached Tuz Khurmatli [Tuz Khurmatu] at 3. All
the palms killed but plenty of gardens and fruit trees. There are oil
springs near. Camped N of the town. Received a visit from the Mudir,
a Damascene who stood rather on his dignity but was very pleasant
in the end. He spoke highly of Mr Lorimer.