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

Allegedly . . . The death of Spanish bullfighting has been declared many times but the number of ¹bullfights in the country is at its highest level in 7 years and the young are the most consistent presence as older groups of spectators drop away. A little hard to believe.

The road to Hell, as we know, is paved with good intentions. One of these was possibly the worst bit of legislation ever, when the Spanish government decided to bring sexual crimes here into the 21st century and did so too fast and without enough thought, under pressure from its ‘extreme Left’ coalition partner. So it is that: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Sunday apologized to the victims of a sexual freedom law passed last October that was aimed at increasing protection for women, but inadvertently allowed hundreds [more than a thousand] of convicted sex offenders to have their sentences reduced or even set free. Known as the “only yes means yes” law, it is set to undergo reform this coming week to address the legal loophole, following months of debate in the country and tension between the two left-wing coalition partners in the government — the majority Socialist party and Unidas Podemos.

Something touched on the other day . . . Spain’s environment minister has accused the Andalucían regional government of engaging in “short-term electoral demagoguery” and playing into the hands of the far right [Vox] by pressing ahead with irrigation plans for strawberry farms that could threaten the survival of one of europe’s most important wetlands

Insults and discovery on the one side, triumphs and cat-calls on the other – it must be getting close to election-time, says Lenox here. Municipal and regional, but foreign residents play no part in the latter, however much tax they pay.

Odd happenings in Pv city – the cost of employing scarce staff in the construction and hostelry sectors has risen significantly, while the price of cocaine in the streets has fallen. Perhaps there’s a connection.

The arrival of spring and, thus, the sun means we can now sit on a terrace to enjoy a copa or a meal. And be reminded of just how many señoritas and señoras still think it’s a good thing to smoke.

UK

I suspect the UK ain’t the only place in the world where this is happening . . . Like here in Spain, for example.

But there’s also been a positive development in Britain this week . . . Single-sex schools can reject kids claiming to be transgender.

The Way of the World

When a murderer called Raoul Moat shot himself after being cornered by the UK police a few years ago, 30,000 people subscribed to the “RIP Raoul Moat, you legend” Facebook page. Deluded, it’s claimed, into thinking a sociopath was some kind of wronged avenger. Maybe.

Spanish

Thanks to Lennox for Hechos de otra pasta: A different kettle of fish.

Did you know?

There’s said to be a convenient alternative to buying brand-new electronics and devices – Back Market, a global marketplace gives consumers access to high-quality, professionally refurbished electronics – everything from iPhones to laptops to appliances. Products are sold by verified sellers through a curated search algorithm. The company operates in 17 countries including the US, Germany, the UK, Spain and Japan.

BUT , , , Don’t plug your phone into a free charging station, warns the FBI: Criminals have managed to hijack public chargers with the objective of infecting devices with malware or other software that can give hackers access to your phone, tablet or computer.

Finally . . .

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.