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: Catalonia’s human towers rise – along with hopes for independence: With Spain’s caretaker PM seeking a coalition, and their votes, the region’s teetering ‘castellers’ could win a reprieve for separatists and boost the cause, it says here.

The Spanish: It’s a funny thing. Everyone who enjoys living here says that the best thing about Spain is the Spanish people. And, yet, there’s nary a foreign resident who doesn’t perceive them to lack consideration of others. But, that said, I know that the same 3 women who infuriated me in the underground car park last night would be the first of many to rush to help me, if I tripped and fell over while walking to my car. And the Spanish are the most generous organ donors in the world. I’ve tried to explain this to myself over 2 decades but have given up and now accept it as the bad that goes with the good. Having lived in 6 cultures, I of all people should know and accept that, like people, nations are hives of inconsistency. But I should add lack something I’ve said before about this (alleged) lack of consideration: it only applies to strangers. If there’s personal link, the opposite occurs. And, falling flat on your face – or off your bike – apparently creates this personal link. Meaning that the ‘inconsiderate’ Spanish make excellent Good Samaritans. As with their no-long-required organs.

Staying on ‘the Spanish’ . . . This chart suggests they work more hours than in all the other 15 cited countries, except for Ireland. But, as noted recently, are not as productive.

Moving to Spain?: Good advice, that I’ve been giving to folk for more than 20 years . . . Don’t believe an estate agent. Especially the charming ones that smile a lot and insist you don’t need a property lawyer, as they and the notary make a truly trustable team. Hogwash.

The UK

A fascinating article on a – ‘wine-trading’ – ship built along the Basque coast in the winter of 1457-58 and which sank in a Welsh river in 1469 or 1470. Now being meticulously restored. After which it could become the only 15th Century maritime exhibit on show anywhere in the world.

The Way of the World

O tempora. O mores. . . . A somewhat more serious/angry comment than mine on ‘the activist class’. . . Says this despairing columnist: We are living through a normalisation of violence. And one can agree with this without condoning or excusing the violence of any individual, organisation or state.

English

I happened upon a new language option in Wiki this morning – Simple English. I wondered what that was and whether it was the same as Globish 1 or Globish 2. But it turns out to be this.

Spanish

I’ve recently written of odd Spanish surnames. Here’s an unusual forename that I saw for the first time yesterday, in one of those ‘tombstones’ advising that someone has died and will be buried or ‘incinerated’ within 48 hours – Jesusa.

Finally . . .

Weather note at 07.00: An unusual awakening this morning. Absent – the sound of rain falling. And an almost eerie calm outside. I was told last night of about a new storm, arriving today. Very aptly called Domingos. But this report suggests we enjoyed this yesterday. Anyway, beyond this, we’re forecast to have rain for at least the next 7 days, with the chances of sun varying between 5 and 15%. Vamos a ver. At least there are no more reports of near-empty reservoirs.

07.58: The rain just started, as I was taking the above foto of the dawn sky.

09.00: A probably boring foto . . . A thunderstorm than might or might not be the tail-end of Domingos has just arrived . . .

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.

For those thinking of moving to Spain:- This is an extremely comprehensive and accurate guide to the challenge, written by a Brit who lives in both the North and the South and who’s very involved in helping Camino walkers.