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

Politics: Lenox Napier writes on the current stalemate here. I gauge that he sees (further-to-the-right)Sra Ayuso taking over from Sr Feijoo as leader of the PP party, if there’s a new election late this year or early next year. Which would, on the one hand, please Vox but, on the other, wouldn’t, as, if she gains an absolute majority, it’ll be because she had stolen some of their clothes and their supporters. So, won’t need a coalition with Vox. Interesting times. Maybe.

So, Sr Rubiales has kissed goodbye to his job as head of the Spanish FA. Thus proving the validity of the old adage that there’s many a slip ‘twixt lip and lip. Rubiales – not a natural diplomat, whatever else he might be – had initially called his critics “idiots” but ultimately had to bow to the pressure of widespread disregard for his ‘sexual assault’ on one of the victorious Spanish ladies. Even if it was something which only the previous generation of Spanish women would not have raised Cain about. Things change quickly now, in the Internet Age.

France

The country needs to be re-civilised, says its president. Possibly not the only one. It’s hard to disagree with his comments and his emphasis on education. But can it be done?

Russia

As Oscar said, you’d need a heart of stone not to laugh – or maybe just scoff – at the news that Putin has sent his condolences to the family of Yevgeny Prigozhin, whose plane can be seen on YouTube falling out of a celestial window. Whether this latest state-sponsored murder strengthens or weakens Putin is, as yet, unknown. Views differ. Here’s one on the theme that the danger to the West from Putin has increased. And the same observer writes here of the greater ‘exposure’ of an increasingly irrational and confused Putin. Not just bad but mad.

The USA

It’s now Donald Trump country, says this columnist. His [Republican] rivals share his view that the United States is dying, but none match his ability to combine fury and humour.

The Way of the World

Feminism seems to have come full circle. Women, it’s said, are re-discovering the age-old truth that men can be manipulated for money. This time round with the admirable objective of ‘smashing the patriarchy’. I’m guessing that advice for today’s feminists would include ensuring a pre-nup contract ahead of your (probably short) marriage(s). Before your looks go and your charm wears extremely thin. Resulting in increased competition for the spoils.

Spanish

Una acaldada: The RAE: ‘An arbitrary or inconsiderate act by a mayor [alcalde] (or any person) who abuses their authority’. One wonders why such a word is necessary.

Did you know?

You can still get, on BBC Sounds, interviews with famous Brits of the last 40-50 years. This one is with the wonderful Spike Milligan. By the way, that’s not me at the top of the list . . .

Finally . . .

Yesterday, I suddenly recalled another of my mother’s regular sayings, possibly to an insolent child (moi?): ‘One of these days I’ll wipe that smile off your face with the back of my hand’. As they say, the past is a different country. My daughers would have sued me, if I’d ever said anything like that to them . . .

More positively . . . I only learned of the ‘phrasal verb’ challenge for those learning English after many years of speaking the language as a native. I mention this only because I am (unduly?) impressed by my two and a half year old grandson’s mastery of the various forms of go, take, put and get, etc. Like me, he probably won’t know what a phrasal verb is for decades yet. If ever.

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