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’

Covid

The lockdowns would never happened in the pre-zoom age, says this columnist. This made lockdown economically manageable for one crucial subset of the population – the laptop class.

Cosas de España

As I understand it, the numerous parties of the Left – at least 15 – have until midnight tonight to ‘come together’ and agree who’s going to stand for the PSOE in the July elections. Quite a challenge. One of the parties is Sumar, now called El Movimiento Sumar. Which might or might not beat out the declining – disappearing? – Podemos party.

The Guardian here regrets the possibility that a win for the PP party in the July elections will mean the end of ‘revolutionary changes’ in Spain’s housing laws. Which seems justified. Meanwhile, Airbnb gets fingered for its contribution to developments addressed by the new law.

AlJezeera here addresses the question of whether many Spain’s fiestas of Moors v. Christians are racist.

Some readers will be pleased to know that El Tráfico has knocked on the head its plans to make getting your licence renewed more difficult for those 65 or over. No time to get it through this legislature. And the various tests one has to do will remain free for the over 70s.

In the supermarket this morning, I was asked if I wanted a digital receipt instead of a paper one. I guess this would save the company money but is it cynical to say it would be a good way to get your email and/or your phone number?

The UK

The UK is moving towards becoming a happy ally/vassal of the USA, rather than an unhappy member of the (vainglorious) EU, avers this writer. Finally knocking on the head the ridiculous notion that the UK has a ‘special relationship’ with the USA. For those paying attention, such a strategy has been building for some time. But will a Labour government reverse it? Meanwhile, the writer’s bottom line . . . If the disastrous handling of Brexit has achieved anything, it is to rob most Brits of any lingering aspirations to global power. The irony is this might be a good thing.

Germany

The ‘far-right’ AfD party continues to rise, reflecting concern about the country’s energy policy.

The Way of the World

This article has a table showing how 30 countries rank when it comes to self-identification as LGBT+ – Bisexual, Pansexual/omnisexual, Asexual, Transgender, Non-binary/gender non-conforming/gender-fluid – rather than as male or female. Spain comes in at no. 2 but I’ve no idea why. Same comment for the fact that Spain’s percentage of 14 is double that of next door Portugal. Fewer practising Catholics?? More widespread internet?? No law that says you can change gender at 16 without any medical preconditions?

It’s interesting to note that the age groups differ significantly, with the most recent being almost 5 times higher than the most distant:-

• Boomers: 4%
• Gen Xers: 6%
• Millenials: 10%
• Gen Zers: 18%

I guess there are various potential explanations for this, some conflicting with others.

Spanish

Un piso cardiosaludable: A flat on the 4th floor with no lift. (HT to Lenox Napier of Business over Tapas for this)

Finally . . .

As an 18-19 year old, I spent a fabulous year in The Seychelles, as a teacher of secondary school boys. Back then, there was no tourism and a good deal of poverty. Very different from how it’s described here. I lived in a rather crude place above the sands of the featured Beau Vallon beach. Seeing fotos of it used to cause me painful nostalgia Happily, that no longer happens. But I’ll never go back.

Welcome to new subscriber: Valentino 10

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.