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/Galicia

The Times says that Spain is gripped by the saga of the PM fighting to to defend his wife against accusations of corruption but stresses that he has a bigger battle on the horizon: It’s the nation’s old divisions that are more likely to pose problems for Pedro Sánchez. Rationale here.

One of Spain’s negatives, especially in more southern climes than Galicia’s I suspect. Not for the squeamish . . .

Lenox Napier of Business Over Tapas gives us here an insight into that prisoner exchange that I, for one, wasn’t aware of.

The range of Camino pilgrims has widened significantly over the last 20 years. No longer are they largely young backpackers. The creation of this hotel at Finisterra is irrefutable evidence of this development. As are rooms at 70 euros and above per night in Pv city’s old quarter.

There are 2 things which Spaniards like to do a lot:-

• 1. Chat
• 2. Block narrow pedestrian streets while they do so.

I have no problem with the first of these but still get irritated by the second.

The UK

Another aspect of 1577 that remains the same today, particularly in Pv city’s main square and on the bar terraces beside it . . . Pigeons are now a hurtful fowl by reason of their multitudes.

France

In saying excitedly of the Olympics opening ceremony that This is France! M Maron showed that he’s a fusion of technocratic managerialism and progressive ideology: Toby Young,

The Way of the World/(Non)Transgenderism

• More here on DSD
• Effie Deans takes a break from lacerating Scots nationalists and applies her logic to the issue of the moment: The controversy regarding these 2 fighters is not about transgender, but rather the fact that they have both male and female characteristics. They used to be called hermaphrodites.

Social Media

What you need to know about fake videos designed to go viral. And one in particular.

The Olympics

Camilla Long on fairness, something which we Brits are thought to hold in high regard.

Quote of the Day

The first job of any bureaucracy is not to create something useful for the world but to protect and preferably expand the bureaucracy itself

English

Bebby:-

• US: Rudely inquisitive; Meddlesome.
• British: Sharp-natured; Spiteful 

Spanish

Not to be confused . . .

• Escupir To spit
• Esculpir: To sculpt

Did you know?

Another internet negative but it probably won’t worry you or me . . . There’s an an international group of criminals nicknamed The Pink Panthers who use the internet in various ways to enhance their criminal activities. For example, they leverage social media to gather detailed information about their targets. In the robbery of Kim Kardashian in Paris, the thieves could have studied her posts to learn about her whereabouts and the layout of her apartment., allowing them to plan their heists with precision.

Finally . . .

I rarely take taxis and so it was only today that I discovered that in Pv city at 3.15 on a Sunday in early August, one can’t be had for love or money. So, I had to walk the 2.6km up to my eyrie in 29 degrees. Actually, I should say ‘limp up’, as I have an ankle problem. What should have taken me 35 minutes, says Google, took over an hour. But I did stop to rest a few times. And there was a welcome breeze from the ría. And a decent amount of shade. Wasn’t quite as bad as it sounds.

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. And this article ‘debunks claims re wealth and residency taxes’. Probably only relevant if you’re a HNWI. In which case, you’ll surely know what that stands for.