Covid 

An interesting observation: A review of previous endemics suggests they’ve all died after 2 years.

Cosas de España/Galiza

Both The London Times and Lennox Napier of Business Over Tapas have reported on that illegal development down in Extremadura. Their articles have served to explain how there could be a marina in a region without a coastline – the development is on the edge of a large reservoir. I also learnt – not exactly to my surprise  – that the legal battle around this development has already been going on for at least 11 years and possibly 14. And will very possibly continue for at least another 11. There’s a lot of money at stake. And, as we know, money talks. Maybe more here than elsewhere.

HT to Lennox for a nice article on Pontevedra province which I’d missed. I know all the places, of course, but – TBH – I regard one or two of them as less than fascinating. Which is probably a bit churlish of me.

Well, you’d never have guessed that masks are no longer obligatory outside. Using Spanish methods of calculation, I’d say 96.746% of folk on Pontevedra city’s streets yesterday were still wearing them. Maybe 96.747%. Well and truly nudged. Or (unduly?)scared.

To my astonishment, there’s an international cricket competition taking place down South, allegedly involving 30 countries. As this article (under)states: Cricket remains rather niche on the continent. 

Another surprise yesterday to see this note stapled to each of the newspapers in a café:- 

When I first came to Spain, it irritated me that people didn’t put the papers back on the counter but kept them on their table, forcing me to go and ask for them. I saw this – and still do – as a good example of how Spaniards have little concern for people they don’t know. Or at least have norms different from those elsewhere. In this case, I eventually not only became inured to a new norm but also fell in with it. Not only managing my expectations but also adopting local practice. Not, by the way, a unique reaction. Though I still don’t throw my rubbish onto the bar floor . . .

Maria’s Beginning Over 8: Overlooked History.

Quote of the Day/Social Media 

Where once conspiracy theories were believed in serially – one at a time – now the fashion is for a mash-up. It’s not enough for the evil overlords to be venal and power-mad. Today they must also be that worst thing of all, child sexual abusers. . . . Today many conspiracists link theory with action in a way they didn’t in the past. Social media has proved not to be an atomising route to passivity but a spur to action.

The Way of the World

I was a tad nonplussed last night when an American friend in his late 20s – and so a Millennial – said he’d never heard of Dustin Hoffman. Nor, naturally, Cary Grant.

Finally . . .

As someone who has a good grind every morning, I was pleased to read that 2-3 cups of coffee each morning will extend my life.

WordPress advises me when readers sign up for receipt of my posts but I do wonder why in some cases – as with Global Classifieds, which has just started following me. I guess this is some form of advertising. Or perhaps the gaining of an advantage via links. 

For new reader(s): If you’ve landed here looking for info on Galicia or Pontevedra, try here.  For Camino walkers passing through Pontevedra, there’s a guide to the city there.