Cosas de España/Galiza    

I see that Manchester City, 2 goals down, scored 3 goals in 5 minutes to gain the Premier League championship ahead of Liverpool. If this happened with Real Madrid and Barcelona here in Spain, there’d surely be accusations of skulduggery. Especially in Cataluña.

I mentioned that a friend who’s setting up a new pilgrims’ albergue in Pontevedra city’s old quarter has been waiting months for a final licence. Last night I learned that there now has to be an ‘archeological check’. I suggested that, if Roman remains were found, he should scrap the albergue plan and go with a ‘Roman baths’ attraction – whether or not there really are remains of these there. Several other Spanish cities have them. And/or Moorish hammams, modelled on the Roman and Greek varieties.

Back in January, I joined a Pilates class. Like a good Brit, I’ve been telling the teacher when I’d be off, visiting my daughter and grandson in Madrid. But I’ve noticed none of the others do this. So I’ve stopped doing so and will confine myself to being a good Spaniard. Or Irishman, perhaps . . . 

On the way back from Pilates I stopped at a plant supplies shop to buy a basil(albahaca) plant. The shopkeeper went outside to see if he had any. When I pointed to a box of them, he told me that, while the label said albahaca, it was some other plant and that, in fact he didn’t have any basil. At least, I think that ‘s what he said, as he spoke in Gallego. Apart from that, it was a perfect shopping experience.

Still no sign of the ‘Spain-wide’ heat wave up here in Galicia. Right now – 10.15 – we’re covered by the Atlantic Blanket and it’s a mere 14 degrees. Good if you’re a ‘pilgrim’ walking to Santiago de Compostela but not for we stationary folk.

And no sign of functional internet in this café. Off to another one. Hey ho.

The UK 

I didn’t believe it when I read of it but, yes, Wiki confirms  that Scotland has a Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights.  

Which reminds me . . . The Scottish government likes to give the impression – eg during the recent visit of the First Minister to the USA – that Scotland is a separate country/legal entity from England. But it isn’t. Like Cataluña, it’s a region of Great Britain, with devolved powers from London. Since the Act of Union in 1707 it’s been part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. So, it’s only a country in the same way as Cataluña, Galicia and the Basque Country are in Spain. Hence the demand for independence.

The amusing John Crace on The Convict again here. He really doesn’t like the man. Which is nothing unusual, of course. Neither does Richard North, at the other end of the political spectrum. Oh, and nor me.

Social Media

Facebook’s slide into dystopia. Good Comments.

Quote of the Day

The powerful organs of the LGBTQ+ movement have spent the last decade saying, “Let’s end stigma, break taboos, and stop judging”. What this actually means is “Let’s move stigma, place taboos around other things, and carry on judging people but for different reasons”. More here.

Finally . . .

To amuse . . . 

For passing readers: If you’ve landed here looking for info on Galicia or Pontevedra, try here. If you’re passing through Pontevedra on the Camino, you’ll find a guide to the city there.

Welcome to a new subscriber, Aditya. Who might or might not be really interested in what I post . . .

P. S. It’s 14.07 and the sun just came out . . .