Wed 25 [25 April 1900] Off at 5, Bridge 6.30, Kabur Nimr 8, leaving the
Wady Nimrin at a Kasr where the Numur (the ruling family of the
'Adwan) keep their corn, we mounted up the Arakib with glimpses into
the Wady Kefrein [Kafrein] till we came out onto a col looking down
into the Wady Sir [Wadi es Sir]. In the Ghor I eat some of the Sidr or
Dom fruits, like cherries in size but not in taste, and saw the Sheha
plant from which alcali is made. The Belka country is called the
Shefa. Lunched by the stream at 1 under oleanders, slept and
photographed. There is a little village here inhabited by the Abbad.
Explored the caves. This is the inscription on one of them [5
characters] The castle must have been splendid. It's situation is
most lovely with the deep valley running down into the W. Kefrein in
front, and the rock[?] crowned hills behind. Excellent dinner all very
happy. Bathed in a horrible place full of oleanders and thorns.
Enormous quantities of thistles and hollyhocks. Carved lions on the
enormous stones of the pan de mur of the palace. They have an
edging like the Jerusalem [El Quds esh Sherif, Yerushalayim] wall
stones. Saw the balustrade stones with holes in them.