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

A HT to Lenox Napier of Business Over Tapas for more than one item today . . .

Murky politics? The Times reports that Russian spies visited Catalonia in 2017, at the height of the region’s (illegal and failed) bid for independence. . . The Catalan separatists’ alleged links to the Kremlin are likely to complicate attempts to pass an amnesty law for those later prosecuted.

The PSOE has significantly raised Spain’s minimum wage. It now stands at c. €15,900 a year, against Germany €24,500, Belgium €24,000, and both France and the UK at €21,200. So, still some way to go.

The favourite fellow Spaniards are reported to be the Asturians and the least favourite, the Murcians. I have no idea why in both cases.

I cited this article yesterday on Spanish technology that will allow the printing of meat. I later took to wondering later if your local copistería will in future double as your butcher.

Talking of food . . . I read an article yesterday on New Yorkers only eating out of bowls these days. I can’t trace it but I’m sure it included the word umami. So, I finally know what the Umami Poke Restobar I pass 4 times a day in Pv specialises in. Possibly catering for the numerous young Camino ‘pilgrims’ who walk past it too. Though only once in their case. And, unlike me, some of them might even partake of a bowl there.

Apologies if this is a repeat, from Fascinating Spain – ‘The legacy of Al-Andalus through the great Moorish buildings in Spain’. I’d also include the Real Monasterio de Santa Clara, in Tordesillas. Not far from the little bodega which supplies my Toro wine.

The USA

One reads with foreboding that: In the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania, voters are turning away from Joe Biden, claiming that prices are still too high and real social problems are not being addressed.

Australia

Another – probably younger – politician in trouble . . . The former deputy PM was videoed swearing into his phone while lying on the pavement(sidewalk). He’s reported to have admitted this was ‘a big mistake’. He’s doubtless now considering his future employment options. As possibly Joe Biden is.

Quote of the Day

Trump has said that, if European Nato countries did not pay their share for defence. he would not help defend them against Russian invasion: “No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want.”  Although Trump is right about European backsliding, his remarks were disgusting because they deliberately incited Putin to further war. They have caused outrage, but he is probably happy with that. He believes that plenty of American voters agree with him. Quite possibly, he is right. 

And here’s a Guardian article on this theme.

The Way of the World

The WFH fad might well be moribund, at least in London. The Telegraph claims here that power is shifting from employees back to employers. 

Spanish

Some weird but (allegedly) useful expressions . . .

Did you know? . . .

Of babies born in Spain in 2021, 32% had either a foreign-born parent. Even so, Spain’s birth rate is only higher than that of South Korea, Malta and China. Not much of a procreative Catholic country any more.

Finally . . .

I read on the packet of Kenyan coffee this morning that it has notes of lemon and blackcurrant. After my usual 2 mugs of the stuff, I decided I must have the worst taste buds in the world. Try as I might, I couldn’t come up with either of these elements of a ‘unique’ blend. Much the same happens with wine, I regret to say. But I know what I like. . .

The Usual Links . . .

You can get my posts by email as soon as they’re published. With the added bonus that they’ll contain the typos I’ll discover later. I believe there’s a box for this at the bottom of each post. I guess it’s logical that this doesn’t appear on the version given to me . . .

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 my 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.