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 Galicia/España

As ‘overtourism’ pushes Europe to the limit, some are fighting back. . . . Across Spain anger is growing over the proliferation of unlicensed tourist accommodation.

Good food from the Spanish regions. Galicia’s nominee is Galician-style octopus – Pulpo á feira is prepared with potatoes, paprika, and olive oil. Not one of my favourites, I confess.

Portugal

There might just be something useful here.

The UK

Sorry about yesterday’s bad link to Richard North’s article on Muslim voting patterns/ intentions. Here’s the correct link.

Talk about disenchantment . . . Britain is a great country being ruined by its incompetent governing class that is incapable of getting the basics right. . . There seems to be no agility and no ability to think ahead among our rulers. Instead, we appear to have become a country lurching from one crisis to another, ruled by an establishment class that is itself constantly embroiled in chaos.

Belgium

Belgium might be a small multilingual country but it is the heart of western Europe, as the seat of the EU as well as Nato. Elections on Sunday are a combined national and European vote, with the final polling putting the radical nationalist and separatist party Flemish Interest (VB) well ahead, posing an existential challenge to Belgium — and the EU.

France

In a video that seeks to explain to French folk how to make Britons feel at home when visiting for the Olympics. the French tourist board suggests avoiding talking about the royal family to them because the subject is considered “controversial”. Not to mention very boring.

The USA

Forget November, can Biden see out June? If the octogenarian president falters during this gruelling month on the world stage, it might finally convince Democrats to replace him.

Ukraine v Russia

Biden tells Ukraine it can use US weapons in Russia but not in Moscow. “They’re authorised to be used in proximity to the border, when they’re being used to attack specific targets in Ukraine.

The Way of the World

By Jove! The USA has caused one of the biggest shocks in cricket history by beating Pakistan in the. cricket World Cup. Perhaps the sport now has a future there. And pigs will fly above the grounds.

English

• Polyamory: The practice of enjoying multiple romantic relationships, with the consent of all involved.
• Tolyamory: Where one partner tacitly consents to the other having a sexual relationship or flirtation with someone else. It’s an agreement, but it’s unspoken. A portmanteau of tolerate and polyamory.

Do you know?

What’s behind the rise of allergies?

Finally . .

Heard on the radio this morning . . . I’m thinking of writing a book on how to build a large room underground. I’m sure it’ll be a big seller.

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.
• 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. Finally, some advice on getting a mortgage.