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

Apologies to those readers for whom the first 2 or 3 links yesterday were a mess. Now OK, if you want to go back there.

I know that Lenox Napier of Business Over Tapas would be an excellent guide to the best things to do in Murcia but, failing that, here’s the National Geographic with some recommendations for a weekend there.

Reader David in La Coruña tells me that the Spanish media has been obsessed with Kategate, airing the most ludicrous conspiracy theories. Can’t say I’m surprised; I gave up watching TV not long after I came to live here, 24 years ago now. Despite it majoring on very pretty women.

Another reader called David given me bits of advice about the Fallas festival in Valencia:-

• Beware of the South American pickpocket gang; they are very skilled. 
• The crowds start to assemble for the mascleta from 1.30 pm and if you are within 50 metres of the main square, you will not be able to escape until the crowds disperse. I would strongly discourage anyone watching it to stand closer than 100 metres.
• Valencians don’t use fireworks, they use bombs and mortars and it takes 2 men to carry each “missile”. Oh and be sure to bring a piece of cardboard big enough to cover your head as the amount of burning debris falling could set your hair on fire! I saw it happen.
• Staying in Valencia itself during the Fallas is very expensive, hotels put up their prices by 10 times or more. However, there is a frequent railway service between Gandia (home of the Borjas with about 12 fallas of its own) and Valencia with many places in between to book accommodation at a fraction of the price, and during the Fallas, they run 24 hours a day.

And here’s Lenox on the Fallas customs, featuring this:-

and this:-

The UK

This article serves an an introduction to the different Muslim organisations operating in the UK. It rather endorses my long-standing view – after reading the Koran twice* – that it’s possible to use that (inconsistent) book to create both a benign religion of peace and a malign religion of permanent war against non-believers, especially Jews. Who can doubt that activities of adherents to the latter need to be constrained in a democratic society? Even – especially? – belatedly.

• And living 8 years in Iran and Indonesia.

A royalist alleges here that: The Princess of Wales is too good for mean-spirited little Britain. If our monarchy ever ends, it won’t be because of republicanism. The Royal Family will have simply had enough. Social media trolls yet again. BTW: Some more nice quotes about modern Britain in that article.

Every young person in Britain who provides a service and whom you thank for it replies ‘No problem!’- It’s beginning to irritate me. Imported from the USA or homegrown? [I say ‘every young person but I can’t vouch for certain business sectors, of course.]

The EU

The latest attempt by Brussels at a deal with a developing country – Egypt – to constrain illegal immigration.

The USA

Another HT to David in La Coruña for this article addressing the (far-fetched??) fear of another civil war.

Some folk are sufficiently worried/despairing to flee to Europe. Here’s something on Italy’s candidature for yanquis seeking better healthcare, larger apartments and €1.20 coffees.

Russia

Allegedly: Putin was humiliated and outfoxed by his opponents in an empowering and subtle nationwide protest that reminded suppressed Russians opposed to his authoritarian rule that they are not alone. Can’t see it making any difference.

China

Finally reaping what it has sown?

Quote of the Day

Common sense is lost in fights over racism. Decency towards others ought to be instinctive but social media and vicious culture wars have addled people’s brains.

The Way of the World

If you are a transgender idealogue, you won’t enjoy either of these 2 searing reviews of a new book by the philosopher Judith Butler, entitled Who’s Afraid of Gender?:-

• Jane O’Grady: Is this the most incoherent book about gender yet? Philosopher Judith Butler tries to rewrite biology in a muddled book that can’t even define its terms.
• Kathleen Stock: What is Judith Butler afraid of?

Did you know?

Back in 2008, the EU ‘s economy was larger than America’s – $16.2 trillion to 14.7 trillion. In 2022, the US economy was $25 trillion; the EU and the UK together only 19.8 trillion. Can’t all be down to exchange rate changes, I guess. Differential growth rates, I assume.

Finally . . .

Yesterday, WordPress gave me the labels: Autism, Photography, and Books. But nowt on Spain, Galicia or Pontevedra. I have absolutely no idea why. IGIMSTS.

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 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. And this is something on the so-called Beckham Rule, which is beneficial – tax-wise – for folk who want to work here.