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 . .

Wow, the Spanish PM has suspended himself from public duties for a few days, while he makes up his mind on whether his personal calvario is worth continuing with. This follows the opening of a case of corruption against his wife, initiated by Manos Limpias – a far-right Christian agitator group –  before a right-wing judge. Thus removing the corruption spotlight from the Presidenta of the Madrid region. Spanish politics in a nutshell. Lenox Napier has been quick on the draw here, telling us about a nasty piece of work called Pilar Baselga, who’s profiled at the end of this post

The Corner alleges here that no one in Spain expects him to resign on Monday. Neither do I, in fact.

Trying to follow that . . .

As if we didn’t know. Or hadn’t expected. . .  Spanish men are using the self-ID gender law to access female care services. Males with a history of abuse are reportedly switching gender to access centres reserved for women victims of violence. Just as in Scotland, where a similar ‘liberal’/’progressive’ law was enacted last year, leading to the downfall of the First Minister and, probably, the demise of the Scottish Nationalist Party.

HT to Lenox Napier of Business Over Tapas for this item: Research shows that, of all European citizens, the Spanish are the least concerned about the defence and security of the continent. Or in increasing defence spending. Still affected  by the Civil War experience, I’d guess.

Galician good news . . . Reports Lenox: A  Spanish insect producer has opened a facility in Palas de Rei. Bioflytech has begun there the production of insect meal and oil from black soldier fly larvae. they  are aiming to sell a protein as an ingredient for the aquafeed and pet food markets. While the insect fat will be sold to the pig feed, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. With the waste products, known as frass, being sold as fertiliser. Well, something has to be done to stop the insects taking over the world before AI robots do.

The UK

The Opposition shadow Finance Minister says that Labour will be more pro-business than Tony Blair’s government was during the New Labour era. Some folk will find that rather hard to believe, given that the party is largely financed by trade unions. But it’s irrelevant, since Labour can’t possibly lose the next general election, late this year. And they will do what they will do. Possibly involving taking some businesses back into public ownership, in the (commendable) pursuit of a better level of public services.

Meanwhile, someone takes a different view of France from the one of the French lady who’s a fellow columnist on the Telegraph. And has a dim view of the UK that the exhausted Conservative party will be leaving behind.

The Way of the World

Stonewall’s glory days seem to be over. Couldn’t happen to a nicer group.

Quote of the Day

The Scots, Welsh and Irish celebrate their patron saints with gusto. Compatriots from every part of the political spectrum unite in uncomplicated displays of patriotic revelry. Nobody agonises about whether such celebrations may cause anyone else to feel oppressed or excluded. They just have parties to which everyone is invited. But it’s virtually illegal to be English and proud. English folk are more than happy to join in the great festival of Guinness-drinking every March 17[St Patrick’s Day]. But come April 23[St George’s Day], nothing happens.

Not just adults . . .  On the way to school this morning, my 2 [English] grandchildren mocked a neighbour for hanging the flag of St George across his garage door. Which, truth to tell, is widely regarded as a very naff, lower-class thing to do in England.

English/Spanish

Eringoes: A medieval sweet – The candied roots of sea holly, a plant considered to be a potent aphrodisiac. It reminded me of the Spanish world for both hedgehog and sea anemone – erizo. But there’s no connection, it seems.

Spanish:

Dejación de funciones: What the PP party has now accused the self-suspending PM of. ‘Dereliction of duties’, I guess. Nice strategy: First you force him to take such a step and then attack him for doing so.

Did You Know?

You’re not imagining it, Captchas are getting harder. And more irritating.

When Charles Dickens was editing Household Words, a young writer named Laman Blanchard submitted an interminable poem titled “Orient Pearls at Random Strung.” Dickens mailed it back with a note: “Dear Blanchard, too much string — Yours, C.D.”

Finally . . .

Another landmark in my life  . . . An ex English MP – Frank Field – has passed away. We had a connection; he’d been MP for Birkenhead, my birthtown, and, late in life, had become Lord Birkenhead. The Grim reaper has comes a tad closer . . .

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.

If  you’re thinking of moving to Spain, go to one of my early April posts to see a link to an excellent guide on this.

Pilar Baselga

This dreadful harridan is a Spanish historian and serial spreader of hoaxes and conspiracy theories.

She is known for propagating various conspiracy theories and false claims, including the “Bar España” conspiracy theory, the “Royuela Expedient”, and bizarre theories about the alleged transgenderism of public figures like Begoña Gómez (wife of Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez).

She has been sued and faces legal action, including a lawsuit from Begoña Gómez for defamation over her false claims that Gómez was transgender and involved in drug trafficking.
 The public prosecutor is seeking a 7.5 year prison sentence against her for continuous crimes against moral integrity in relation to spreading the “Bar España” hoax. She and 8 others also face €2.4 million in civil liability.

With over 15,000 followers on Telegram, she continues to spread misinformation and conspiracy content on that platform in anticipation of her upcoming trial.

She claims to be a historian, but her LinkedIn profile provides little professional background information. Her Twitter account and YouTube channel also serve as outlets for disseminating her conspiracy theories.

In summary, Pilar Baselga is a prominent purveyor of hoaxes, conspiracy theories and defamatory misinformation in Spain who is facing significant legal consequences for her activities.