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

Here’s another Mudéjar style construction I saw yesterday, albeit from a passing cab – the famous Las Ventas bullring in Madrid:-

There’s said to be a 360 degree view here:

And here’s one of the nonsensically-named shops one sees around Spain, trying to be modish by using a random English word:-

Err . . . It now realise it’s possibly a (clothes) store, catering for non-right-handed folk.

Still in Madrid . . . x 3

• Here’s an article on a recent event honouring Cervantes in in the Convent of the Barefoot Trinitarian Sisters in de Lope de Vega, Madrid. Where there might be some of the great man’s bones.
• This is about an impressive national treasure, handily kept in Madrid’s Naval Museum. Something else to take my grandson to this week.
• Madrid’s new museum – A modern mecca for old-world art lovers

I was very shocked to read that the disgraced ex-king has a love-child. I mean, as someone alleged to have slept with 1,000 women – him, not me – shouldn’t there be a lot more? Or was he just a very careful chap. Or rich enough, perhaps, to pay for numerous abortions. Assuming a fee was ever charged. A Times article on the subkect.

The dictator who preceded Franco in the 1920s – and whose bones were beside the latter’s in the appalling basilica in The Valley of the Fallen – has had his remains moved for the 4th time. He’s been re-interred again, this time in a Madrid cemetery I certainly won’t be visiting.

The UK

Good news x 2:

• The UK is one of the least racist countries in the world, and
• AEP waxes uncustomarily optimistic re the country’s post-Brexit prospects

The Way of the World

A senior UK business manager is in hot water for telling a female colleague that her dress suited her figure – this being seen as a “wholly inappropriate, demeaning and objectifying” comment. I might be very wrong on this but I find it hard to believe many Spanish woman over 30 would be offended by this. But, of course, younger women might well be. My daughter has opined: It depends . . .

Did you know?

This chap is said to have pulled off – back in 1303 – the biggest heist in the history of the entire world. A comic film of it was made in 2008. There’s a book on it here.

Finally . . .

From 2 blogs of November 2015, the last ones.

• The back pages of our local papers are given to 3 things: 1. Memorials to the deceased; 2. Small ads; and 3. Dubious ads for services from young women and men. For years I’ve intended to list some of these. So, here are a quarter of them from yesterday’s ‘Faro de Vigo’, under the heading ‘EROTIC MASSAGE’. Enjoy. Or not.

SEX WITHOUT. Wicked. 43. Separated. Financial problems.

VIGO GIRLS. Our class makes us different. Home visits. Hotels. High class.

MADRID GIRL. Professional masseuse. Beautiful. 20

20. Express fuck. 24 hours.

OPENING IN CANGAS. Claudia. 25. Slim. Beautiful.

NEAR CORTE INGLES. Alone. Victoria. 25. Student.

ONLY 20. Qualified masseuse. Affectionate. Superhot.

YOUNG MAN. Masseuse. Only for gentlemen.

MARGARITA. Housewife. Perfect body.

CANGAS. Sara. 25. Gallega. Pure wickedness.

SUSANA. 30. Brunette. Everything. Parties.

ANA. 45. Separated. Financial problems.

18. Starting out. University student. Sofia.Delightful.

MARIA. Argentinean. Massage in bed. Alone.

MATURE LADY. Willing. Lingerie. Large breasts.

MASSEUSE. Total relaxation. Try it. You’ll like it.

UNIVERSITY STUDENT. 18. Beautiful. Tiny. Moon.

NEAR CORTE INGLES. Maria. 29. Starting out. Spanish. I am very good.

CANGAS. Tania. 28. Very willing. Visits.

• Those ads: Instead of more examples, here’s a list of words I’ve learnt during this valuable exercise. I can’t vouch for the accuracy of my translations. Not all of the words appear in on-line dictionaries, of course. Revisions welcome.

Completita – Does everything

Calentona – Randy

Viciosa – Depraved

Viciosisima – Really depraved

Supertipazo – Great figure

Desampanate – Stunning

Escultural – Statuesque

Carita angelica – Angelic little face

Esporadica – Sporadic. Occasional.

Indolora – Painless

Morbida – Soft, delicate

Boca galosa – Sweet mouth

Since prisas – No hurry

Explosiva – Explosive

Experta principiantes – Expert with beginners

Juguetona – Very playful

Particular – Private individual. Special

Implicadisima – ?? Lit. Very involved

Besucona – Great kisser

Welcome to new subscriber:

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.