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/Galicia

Politics:

• The right-of-centre Corner says here that changing the Spanish constitution via a statute has ‘aroused misgivings’ in Brussels. Incidentally, I didn’t know all the members of Spain’s Supreme Court were vertically challenged. If that’s the right phrase these days. (I thought of ‘pygmies’ but decided against it . . . )
• Here’s the latest perspective from the FT: Sánchez faces a vote to win a new term as Spain’s PM amid growing anger over his amnesty deal: Conservatives and judges say the Socialist leader’s pact with Catalan separatists damages the country’s rule of law.
• In Spain, it’s reported that: The president of the PP, at Sunday’s Madrid demonstration, shouted “We want equality, freedom and dignity”, values that he considers destroyed by Sánchez in order to continue governing. As if said PP leader wouldn’t have done an undignified deal with the far-right Vox party, if they’d got the seats there were forecast to get.

The Times has picked up on camino developments here, citing some interesting numbers. It highlights the change in the foreigners-to-locals ratio which has been happening for quite some time now. The article displays 9 caminos but, in fact, there are more than 40 – all ‘authentic’, of course. The numbers cited are actually below the real ones as not all ‘pilgrims’ arriving in SdC join the long queue to register their achievement – even if they only did 110km – and receive a nice Compostela. BTW . . You used to be able to see, for free, the wonderful Portico de Gloria of SdC’s cathedral but now, after many years of impressive restoration, this will set you back €12. Well, that was a year or 2 ago. Probably nearer €20 now. Alternatively, you can access this marvellous app.

Really bad Page 1 news from the VdG this morning: No cauliflower for Christmas: Turnip greens, turnips, cauliflower, lettuce . . . all these vegetables are at risk of disappearing from the tables at Christmas due to the heavy rains. If months ago we cried out for a little water, now the fields are flooded and the crops are ruined. And it is not the only thing that could be missing an an accompaniment to nougat. Also seafood, or at least the bivalves. The disaster of kilos of clams, cockles and other seafood products killed by excess fresh water down along the estuaries of the Galician coast. And now, in the Pontevedra estuary of the river Lérez. Some will feel the loss of the vegetables less than others, I guess.

Mosquitos are rare in my house even in summer. So, I was surprised to wake with an itching finger in the small hours of last night. But, replete, it hadn’t strayed far from the bedhead and so paid the ultimate price for its meal at 6.30.

France

Some French folk – missing the money of British tourists-cum-residents – are saying that Brits have been ‘punished enough by Brexit’ and that France should relax the 90-day rule for British second-home owners. They argue Britons ‘should be able to spend their money’. I believe similar sentiments are being expressed in the South of Spain. I’ll happen one day.

Europe

Spain has long been Europe’s most popular holiday destination, with France at no. 2. But this is about to change, it’s reported, with – would-you-believe – Turkey taking over France’s slot. This trend is said to be driven in part by people seeking ‘risky medical procedures’: Turkey has long been a holiday favourite, thanks to its affordable prices, rich heritage and sandy beaches, but medical tourism is luring an increasing number of visitors. And also increasing remedial treatment back in the UK.

The UK is said to be currently the worst performer among the top 10 European destinations. This isn’t really surprising, given that the media gives the impression it’s about to fall into a sinkhole. Or disappear up its own backside. Which it might be, of course.

Russia

It’s reported that, in the forthcoming presidential election, Putin is set to ditch his United Russia party and run as an independent – to boost his ‘war leader’ credentials. And that: He aims to run a campaign based on pride and confidence, without the ‘unpopular baggage’ of United Russia. My guess is that he’ll probably win, with 101% of the vote. Whatever the poor Russian people really think about him. As for what he thinks about himself . . . Analysts say he is desperate to be seen as one of the all-time great Russian leaders and wants his invasion of Ukraine to be his crowning achievement. At the expense of thousands of Russian lives, of course.

The Way of the World

A scathing view of multiculturism and its undesired effects in the UK. Which could also be happening elsewhere,

Did you know? . . .

Everest was ‘conquered ‘ in the early 1950s but, back in the early 20s, there was a group of intrepid English gentlemen who had several goes at this. Their first failure was in 1921 and then . . The following year [1922] they tried again in earnest. They intended to attempt an assault on the summit. Accompanied by glass bottles of champagne, steel bottles of oxygen, leather waistcoats (to wear under their woollen coats) and tins of quail-in-aspic, they set off into the Himalayan snow. For another failure.

Finally . . .

Worthy of note:-

• 1. The HQ of India’s fishing industry board:-

• 2. A letter to the Times, June 26, 2000:

Sir,

Travelling near Washington DC about 24 years ago, I saw a large billboard by the roadside. Beautifully painted in letters a foot high, was the legend: ‘DISREGARD THIS SIGN’.

Really and truly,

Ernest Spacey
Bradford, West Yorkshire

The Usual Links . . .

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.