Fri May 5 [5 May 1911] At 5.15 Temp 55 Bar 27.6. I left the caravan to
follow slowly and went on with Fattuh, starting at 5.30. Karkh 6.10,
Arslan Oglu Chai 6.40, village of Arslan Oglu 6.55. Khan Bazaar to R
7.30, Haiderlu[?] 7.50 Keugh K, 8 (Darli to R) Chaiyanan 8.50, Taukli
Chiflik 9.15, Ambar Chai 9.40, Gernik 10.15, Karabash 11, Sa'di 11.50,
all corn country. We came to the top of the Tigris valley at 12 and I
lunched till 12.20. The river was too full to ford; we reached the bridge
at 1 and I photographed till 1.15. So up through green mulberry
gardens to the black walls and reached the Mardin Gate at 1.40. The
caravan got in at 3.50. the consul, Mr W. Matthews had gone to take
charge at Basrah [Basrah, Al (Basra)] and Dr Ward was also away.
Thomas Effendi looked after me well and I lodged at the consulate.
Delightful to have a house in an oriental town all to oneself. Ali
Onbashi made me welcome and I had a woman called Sheker to
cook. Immense meal. Heard of the death of Sir Alfred and got a letter
from him.