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 . .

The state of play this morning . . . Spain is in limbo as the PM considers a crunch decision. Pedro Sanchez is poised to end 5 days of suspense by announcing today whether he will bring nearly 5 years in power to a close by resigning and pitching his country into the political unknown. He spent the weekend in a period of “reflection” and hasn’t been seen in public since he appeared thunder-faced in parliament on Wednesday before retreating to write an open letter saying he had to weigh his future.  He is set to announce his decision in a statement to the country and take no questions from the media. If he quits, he is expected to try to pave the way for one of his ministers to become Spain’s first female prime minister, a landmark moment in the EU’s 4th most populous country and one that would come 18 months after Italy reached the same milestone. But, if he remains in office, he could attempt to bolster his standing by submitting himself to a confidence vote in parliament. But his stay-or-go gambit will only heighten the fury directed at him from the Right in a country that stands out for its toxic politics. I’ll say!

Well, that was early this morning . . . He’s staying on. we’re told. So,the fun and games will continue. As they would have done if he’d resigned, of course. Ne’er a dull moment in Spanish politics. Where there’s a premium placed on the ability to sneer and insult. And, of course, on having a thick skin. But not necessarily a clean record when it comes to corruption. Or freedom from jail, even.

Another chap in trouble in Spain. You have to wonder what really happened. And if he’d have been shot if it’d happened in the USA.

The VdG today: If a few days ago it was lifts needing to be inspected, now it’s the turn of gas meters. New regulations establish that small devices, such as for homes, must not be more than 20 years old. This affects 5.7m supply points in Spain – 300,000 in Galicia – and implies they must be replaced. The cost of the change is to be borne by the company, but the user must pay the new rental cost – 1.10 euros per month. So, another hike to the CoL. Albeit small but worth millions to the gas suppliers. Who, as it happens, all have ex government ministers on their boards.

The UK

In a late-night show on US TV, the host mocked a car ad that featured a mixed race couple, because (I guessed) it implied this was the norm. In the UK, every TV ad features such a couple and their mixed race kid(s). And, more often than not, a woman who is not-thin. I guess the (sound) marketing rationale is that this won’t offend anyone these days but will mightily please some potential customers. Though some of us might laugh at the conceit/deceit.

Pedro Sanchez in not the only national leader considering his near future. Humza Yousaf is preparing to quit as Scotland’s first minister after coming to the conclusion that his position is no longer tenable. Senior SNP figures have been told that he decided over the weekend that there is no way for him to survive this week’s vote of no confidence and he may stand down today.

France

Time to give up your gîte dream?

Another  British malcontent endorses here my view of the Pompidou Centre . . . This revolting eyesore sums up what’s wrong with modern Paris.

Ireland

Brexit has not been all bad news for Ireland. The country has reaped a €700m Brexit bonanza from customs duties on imports of clothing, food and other goods from Great Britain. The luck of the Irish?

The Way of the World/Transgenderism

Stonewall faces a corporate reckoning following the Cass report. Hooray.

Did You Know?

Foerster’s syndrome: Compulsive, obsessive punning behavior, which highlights the connection between puns, obsession, and aggressive/competitive tendencies. You know who you are . . .
Related . . .
Witzelsucht: A set of pure and rare neurological symptoms characterized by a tendency to make puns, or tell inappropriate jokes or pointless stories in socially inappropriate situations. It makes one unable to read sarcasm.

Finally . . .

More Who-Gives -a-Flying-F? page 1 Headlines:-
– Plumbers rescue a fox cub trapped in a drainpipe
– ‘I spent £16k making my garden look like a room without a ceiling – did it work?’
– An amateur rugby player who worked at Sainsbury’s is drafted into the NFL

My impression is that these are much less a feature of the more serious, left-wing paper, The Guardian. Far more earnest,

Next list – Inane 3 word slogans that follow the name of the product or service being advertised. Possibly thought up by specialists in this complete waste of time, dedicated to gilding lilies or, sometimes, weeds.

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.