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

2024 saw the death of 300 motor-cyclists in Spain, 14 in Galicia. I don’t know how this compares with other countries but new rules and regulations are being introduced.

A region of Spain regularly ignored, it says here. But not by me. Been there several times and agree it’s well worth a visit. In truth, Mérida is hardly neglected, given the tourist numbers I’ve seen there.

Allegedly the best roscones in supermarkets.

Not only in The Netherlands . . . Another Three Kings Day in Spain, another ‘blackface’ row.

Fascinating Spain jumps on the Pv city bandwagon here. Maybe I really should rent out my house for a small fortune. Especially as I’m likely to be in the UK for several months. I’ve never heard of the Finca do Frendoal and won’t be rushing to see it. But good to know it meets animal welfare guidelines . . .

The UK

If you want to know what the Labour Party says it will do in power but what others say it manifestly won’t be able to, this is a good start.

My sister and I lunched in a popular (‘Catalan’) tapas restaurant in Liverpool a couple of days ago. Can’t say I was much impressed by anything other than the high prices for small dishes.

Quote of the Day

David Gower: TV now has several hundred cricket commentators who are crap.

The same could be said of modern football commentators.

The Way of the World

If, like me, you’ve ever wondered why today’s TV ads are so bad, here’s one explanation, reflecting another adverse impact of social media on our lives.

Here’s the Tesco ad. And the Daisy ad. Both cheap though not cheerful but dreadful.

Social Media

Just in case you’re interested . . . Tricks of the ‘beautiful’ (female) influencers.

Did you know? . . .

Some funny names

Finally . . .

A salutary tale . . . I make an annual donation to Wikipedia – making my blog cash negative, I’ve just realised. Anyway, I mention it only because this year the process has left me wondering whether emails between us and my payments have been highjacked by fraudsters. The other explanation is that the agency they use is not fully competent. Two payments have gone from my (now frozen) bank account despite me being told they hadn’t. But at least Wikipedia – or someone – has said I’ll get one back. Vamos a ver.

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.