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

Back in the early 1940s, Gerald Brenan – ‘an indifferent novelist and second-rate poet’ – wrote, inter alia, a seminal book on Spain – The Spanish Labyrinth. And an amusing one – South from Granada. It seems he was quite free with his favours. But a loving father of his illegitimate daughter, born of his 15 year old maid. Well, it was either him or the local priest, I guess.

Hard to believe it could be possible but new (liberal) laws on pavement cafés and bars have made Spain ‘even noisier’.

Galicia and Asturias are seeking money from Brussels to help them develop their depopulated zones. And why not? That’s where the teats are. Nothing to lose.

My daughter and grandson are coming from Madrid next Thursday, going back the following Tuesday. Can anyone tell me why their fares cost more than twice as much when they’re coming than when they’re returning?

Talking of prices . . . Buying coffee in Mercadona this morning, I noticed that their strong natural coffee was 17% dearer that their normal stuff. Checking them with Yuka, I was surprised to see that the former rated 30%(Poor), against 90%(Excellent) for the cheaper stuff. Something to do with fat content, it seems. But odd.

Based on the evidence of my own eyes – and how I daily see how the 20+ local driving schools teach their pupils – I’d hazard a guess as to why “Spanish drivers never signal left” – They’re never taught to. Simples.

The UK

Richard North enters here the national (non)debate about illegal immigrants/economic migrants/refugees. Which won’t appeal to Guardian readers. Or not to the ‘radical progressive’ ones, at least.

Talking of these . . . Here’s a book which purports to explain why and how the formation of a new British cultural and economic elite has led to (continuing)popular revolt. Of which Brexit was one major element. And also a podcast of the author talking on this theme. I was horrified to hear I hit some of the criteria of these folk. But not the worst, of course. My views are progressive but not Progressive . . .

The populist revolt is far from over

France

Having its own popular revolt, but for very different reasons-

Russia

So, the ICC has accused Putin of being involved in the abduction of Ukrainian children and has issued an arrest warrant alleging war crimes. TBH, I can’t see him turning up at the local cop shop and handing himself in. Unless he sends one of the several doubles he’s alleged to have. And then retires to bunker safety. Possibly to press a red button.

Ukraine

I didn’t know that it became part of Poland in the 1920s, only to be given to Russia when Stalin and Hitler carved up Poland and deleted it from the map. I wonder if anyone really understands the history of that part of the world.

Spanish

Thanks to the use of Google, 5 funny translations of Spanish menus.

Funny translations of Spanish menus that will make you laugh

My favourite, seen in a local restaurant a few years ago:- Mejillones a la marinera: Mussels to the seaman’s blouse. (You might have to think about this one, or check out no. 8 here). On the same menu:- Codillo de cerdo: Pig’s elbow.

Less funny . . . Nodrizas: ‘Mother ships’ which bring the white stuff from South America, to be offloaded onto speedboats in our rías.

Did you know?

The best prawns in the world, says the estimable Mac, come from Denia. As it happens, I was there with one of my sisters (the Jewish one, not the Catholic one) when The Age of Covid began with the first lockdown. So, we were stuck there for 2 weeks, which ended in an 11 hour drive back to Pv city, when only petrol stations were allowed to be open.

Finally . . .

Just for Perry . . . I planted daffs many years ago and they did at one time seem to have proliferated. But this year I seem to have just one measly bud and many stalks. And the former has refused to open so far. Maybe because I seem to recall moving the bulbs some time last summer.

For new 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.