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

Galicia’s young folk (18-35):-

• Only 40% aren’t living with their parents.
• These – the ‘emancipated’ ones – dedicate 70% of their income to rent.

As I say, Spain’s impressive macro GDP growth doesn’t trickle down to everyone.

The VdG today: The grievance is getting get worse: Potholes, dangerous stretches, fog that causes accidents. . . Driving in Galicia has its penalties but the main one is clear and obvious: we are the region with the most toll kilometres in Spain and where these will de-tolled later than elsewhere. And in 2 years, Galicia will bear 20% of the tolls in all of Spain. This imbalance, which already harms us more than any other region, could grow if the AP-7 is made toll-free on the Alicante ring road. There is no similar decision planned for Galicia, where the AP-9 is the 4th most expensive autopista in the country.

I’ve said that Galicia has 3 small, not-very-competitive, international airports. This week it’s been reported that a (sort of) 4th has been added, up in the hills in Verín, close to the border with Portugal. But this can’t avoid being successful as it’s where firefighting planes are to be stationed, both Spanish and Portuguese.

Actually, there already was a 4th airport – in a village called Avión. But this is a private facility, for the occasional use of Mexican millionaires whose predecessors emigrated from Galicia in the first half of the 20th century an

As I type this, my phone says the Poio temperature is ‘33 but feels like 34’. I can understand how when – as last evening- it can be ‘30 but feels like 28, eg when there’s a breeze coming up from the river. But how can it feel hotter than it actually is? Humidity?

The UK

An interesting thesis. Entitlement and laziness are crushing the life out of Britain. A devastating cultural shift during Covid has left too many believing that the world – or the taxpayer – owes them a living. Did this happen elsewhere? If not, why not?

If the analysis is, indeed, correct, I doubt the situation will reverse during the next 4 years. Or even the next 10 or 20.

Germany

My Hamburg friend assures me it’s true that Afghan refugees allowed into Germany are using an Iran-linked visa trick to take holidays back where they claim to be in danger of persecution.

The USA

Kamala Harris leads Donald Trump in five key swing states. Vice-president leads former president in all but two of the seven battleground states crucial to the 2024 election, according to a new poll Harris’s advantage remains fragile, however. Her average lead across all seven states is a single point — 48 per cent to 47 per cent

Quote of the Day

Per Donald Trump: I’m entitled to make personal attacks on Harris if I want to. Probably true, Donny. But is it wise?

The Way of the World

An interesting article on the freedom of expression in a democratic society.

Spanish

• Gustar: To please. To please. So, Me gusta = I like it.
• Alegrar: To please/delight. Me alegro = I am pleased. But. literally, to please myself. Which might pose a bit of a trap for Spaniards translating into English . . .

Did you know?

Socialists always favour rent controls and capitalists always disfavour them. But do they work? Or are there better options for easing housing problems?* This is a meta-analysis by a chap who’s said to be the world’s expert on the subject. I rather doubt that dyed-in-the-wool socialists will accept his observations, conclusions and recommendations. Such is life.

* The non-socialist view: The alternative to rent controls is not to do nothing; it is to stimulate the supply of housing.

Finally . .

I was amused to read that The The Ark Encounter in Kentucky in the USA had been destroyed by . . . . a flood. Sadly, the article was a ‘satirical’ spoof: The new ‘Noah’s Ark’ Theme Park was destroyed in a flood earlier today. The sudden flash flood only seemed to affect the location of the Ark Encounter Theme Park, which was in the final phases of construction. “From a meteorological standpoint, this is quite confusing,” said Dan Schmidt, a forecaster with the National Weather Service. “There were no storm clouds in the area. We’re calling this flood an act of God.”

Finally, Finally . .

You know you’re well past it when a headline in a major newspaper makes absolutely no sense to you. Witness: Why Molly-Mae and Tommy Fury’s split has rocked Gen Z. This appears to be the explanation: Every generation has their couple. Famous pairings who, for whatever reason, come to define an era through their style, body language and, as is so often the case, the rumoured infidelities? We idolise them. Overanalyse them. And project our own relationship ambitions and anxieties onto them. For baby boomers, it was Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. For Gen X: Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Millennials had Posh and Becks. And as for Gen Z, well, it’s Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury [of reality TV fame]. Or at least it was until this week. Personally, I don’t recall idolising and analysing any of the couples cited.

Here’s another one . . .Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively lead the most powerful gang in Hollywood

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. If you do this but don’t read the posts, I will delete your subscription. So perhaps don’t bother if you have other reasons for subscribing . . .
• 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.