Awake, for morning in the bowl of night has flung the stone that puts the stars to flight.

And, lo, has caught the sultan’s turret in a noose of light!

Spanish life is not always likeable but it is compellingly loveable

 Christopher Howse: ‘A Pilgrim in Spain’

Cosas de España/Galiza

What!? . . Princess Leonor, the heir to the Spanish throne, will begin 3 years of military training in preparation for her future role as Spain’s supreme commander after she leaves her school in Wales this summer. So . . . Will she lead Spanish forces into a future world/European war? The Ministress of Defence is reported to have said that in all parliamentary monarchies.heirs to the throne have a military training. Really?

Lenox Napier writes about the feminists’ spat here and indicates whom it might suit.

Sadly, Galicia is known for its feismo, or ugliness. This relates to properties, of course, not to its magnificent scenery. These are the blights I note on my rounds:-

• old houses which are derelict.
• new-builds of traditional-style houses where construction has stopped part-way through.
• finished new-builds which consist of vertical and horizontal granite(concrete?) slabs, especially if now stained by water and
• recent new-builds which consist of vertical and horizontal granite(concrete?) slabs, where construction has stopped part-way through. Like this one, which has been like this for 2 or 3 years now.:-

I regard these as the ugliest thing you can happen upon. In this case, in a prime residential area on my side of the river Lérez. Run out of money?

Food price in Galicia are said to have increased 16-34% over last year, with eggs at the top end. But sugar is at 80%. And the roast chicken I buy every week is at least 100% more. Hard to believe prices will ever reduce to 3-5% above what they were.

It’s announced today that the little business park I pass through 4 times a day is to be expanded to include Ducathlon and LeroyMerlin stores. I’d be more excited about this if I hadn’t read the same thing at least 3 times in the last 21 years. Indeed, about 5 years ago, they started to clear the undergrowth there. But it’s since all grown back. I have no idea why this happens but, like a true Spaniard, I just take such announcements with more than a pinch of salt. After all, we’re still waiting for a feasibility study on a high-speed rail line down from the Ourense-Santiago de Compsotela main route direct to Pv city, first mooted in 2003.

I said yesterday that Monday night’s Russian pianist had been remarkably unemotional outside the realm of his music. But I forget to say that Tuesday morning had brought the contrast of a very cheerful and chatty young Chinese chap in a Pv city bazar. Which is not the normal experience in a Chinese shop. So, a 2nd generation immigrant, I’d guess.

The UK

Britain’s ‘backdoor’ blasphemy laws. Bottom line: For the sake of the communities on the receiving end of medieval fury, we need to fight for our right to blaspheme all over again.

The USA

Every year for the last 41 years the Ford F-150 pick-up truck has been the best-selling vehicle in the country. But 32% of owners say they rarely or never use their truck for personal hauling.

Russia

Russia doesn’t recognise the International Criminal Court. Which is quite convenient, I guess. By the way, neither does the USA. Just for little people/countries, then,

This is the sort of joke which will get you imprisoned in that benighted country, for discrediting the army:–

• Putin [to his Minister of Defence]: Sergei, why are we retreating from Kherson?
• Minister: Vladimir, you yourself ordered the liberation of Ukraine from fascists and Nazis,

The Way of the World

Did you see that the US official statement on the downing of its Predator drone by the Russians included the accusation that the action had been “environmentally unsound”, as well as “reckless and unprofessional”. It had to happen.

Less importantly . . . An Australian woman who is an activist, early childhood teacher-researcher, consultant, artist and academic is suggesting Father’s Day be renamed ‘Special Person’s Day’, so that kids without fathers won’t feel left out. This might sound mad right now but would you bet against it being the norm in 10 years’ time? The lady is called Red Ruby Scarlet, by the way. Which is a terrific handle but is it what she was given at birth, I wonder. Maybe she’s also a communist.

Quotes of The Day/Social Media

• The SVB episode demonstrates what so many of us already know in our bones: that WhatsApp groups now dominate and dictate our lives. It’s impossible to do anything – join a sports team, move to a new street, be diagnosed with a rare skin condition – without immediately being press-ganged into yet another group that you resent but nevertheless, for whatever weird reason, feel you can never leave. Can we ever be free of the WhatsApp group chat tyranny? More here on this.
• Media-studies grads think screaming ‘FASCIST’ at people online is the modern equivalent of joining the International Brigades.

English

Released into the talent pool: Sacked.

Spanish

Rather odd . . Picota:-

• Bigarreau cherry, or
• Pillory.

Did you know?

Sofrito has been identified as a key component in the ‘perfect’ diet, to be eaten twice a week. This ‘bedrock of Mediterranean cuisine’ is a simple sauce made from just 4 or 5 ingredients and is used in sauces, soups and stews, and as a marinade for fish and meat. The ingredients vary slightly by region, but always from a base of onions, tomatoes and olive oil. In Spain, it usually contains garlic and peppers and is the base of countless delicious dishes, including paella. You can, of course, buy it already made.

For new readers:-

1. 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.

2. Should you want to, the easiest way to to get my post routinely is to sign up for email subscription. As opposed to using a Bookmark or entering the URL in your browser. And there’s the Thoughts from Galicia FB group.