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

The PSOE leader, struggling to say in power is making the expected concessions to the small nationalist parties, which won’t go down well with Vox, or even the PP party. But which might well be effective. For now.

The VdG on today: No Small thing: Both Pedro Sánchez and Alberto Feijoo will try to convince the king today that they are the ideal candidate for the investiture. Both will arrive at the Palace without sufficient support. Yesterday, the PSOE invited the PP to “slip up a third time”, while the PP insists on its right to try to be empowered as the most voted party. Meanwhile, Vox demands that Feijoo clarify publicly if he intends to apply a ‘cordon sanitaire’. The PP expects/hopes the Vox leader will reiterate his support prior to Feijoo’s visit to the king.

All you need to know about the Celts in Spain. Not as confined to Galicia as much as the Galicians like to pretend they were . .

Spain’s women are wiping the floor with those from elsewhere. After their World Cup victory on Sunday, we’re now being told that Queen Letizia has won the royal fashion game. Which is now surprise to me, at least. I just wish she’d smile more often, as in the fotos here. She certainly seems to know a good surgeon. Or make-up artist.

A walk in in Cataluña which is how the camino was in 2009. The Portuguese one, at least. The French one was already un calvario by then. Like a human conveyor belt.

Something new on the streets of Pv city, that’s called a betchak in Jakarta and, perhaps, a pédalo here:-

Possibly supplied as a service to the elderly and their carers:-

The UK

Having paid a truly staggering amount to bring 2 adults and 3 kids to Galicia this month – well, to Oporto, of course – I was interested to read that British Airways is finally beating Ryanair [and EasyJet] on price. Because baggage fees of low-cost airlines are spiralling. Upwards, of course. But are there any BA flights from NW England to even Oporto, never mind SdC, La Coruña or Vigo?

Russia

European states, it’s reported, are getting tough on Kremlin espionage, leading to the smashing of a spy network.

(A)GW/Energy/Net Zero

Strong words today from Richard North today . . . Such is the power of the net-zero cult that, it appears, that Western nations (or some of them) are not only intent on wrecking their own economies in the name of decarbonisation, they have also developed a scheme aimed at dragging down multiple developing countries to the same level of destitution. But things aren’t going according to plan, least of all in South Africa, whose president says that developed country demands are effectively a ‘new form of colonialism” introduced through the back door. The Russians have naturally seized their opportunity to benefit themselves. Says RN: Now that the Russians seem to have their feet under the table, South Africa seems to be on the verge of breaking away from Western influence – a disaster for the climate cultists and for Western diplomacy.

Quote of the Day

As auld Robbie said . . The best laid schemes of mice and men oft gang awry.

The Way of the World

Robot-taxis in San Francisco. A pilot scheme that isn’t going well.

Did you know?

Gwyneth Paltrow will sell you a loaf that makes you poo well, for only €25.50. Gold bricks?

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 – updated a bit in early July 2023