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 future of Spain’s tourist industry, as the country gets hotter.

There’s an (in)famous residential development south of Madrid called Seseña. It was written about thus back in 2014 and thus this year.

The estimable Lenox Napier alludes here to the dog days of August.

Six of Spain’s finest wines you’ve (probably) never heard of. Good to see that Mencia gets a mention. This was a nondescript wine 25 years ago but has improved greatly. And this is a nice white wine from down near the border with Portugal, brewed from a mixture of 3 local grapes. The bodega sells a premium brand but Mercadona offers their cheaper version – Ponte Tamuxe – at around €6.50.

The President and Editor of the Voz de Galicia died 2 days ago, still in the job(s) at 85 or so. Yesterday, the paper devoted its first 17 pages – yes, 17 – to him. Today, the total was a mere 13.

Years ago, I gave up listening to Radio Clásica, mainly because: 1. there was too much talking, and 2. much of the music was very modern. A reader told me this was because the director of the programme was a composer. My new DAB radio gave me the chance to check out the station again, albeit only on FM. Nothing has changed. So, I guess he’s still in charge. Back to the Swiss channel on the internet.

Our local police-cum-traffic wardens, have a barrel in which to shoot fish. This is a car-park which I thought was especially for motor homes/RVs and perhaps it is. But a friend tells me that he’s watched the police putting tickets under numerous window wipers. Maybe the vehicles have to be registered in advance and it’s just possible the owners are being politely reminded of this. On the other hand, given how officious – and bored – the police are. . . . .

Although I’m not (yet) willing to do the prices exercise again, I can say that the largest increases were of sugar – almost 100% – and olive oil, at almost 300%. But I guess everyone living here knows that.

The UK and The EU

Europe’s Anglo-German axis is an astonishing turn of events, says AEP. But: Brussels must watch its step as it tries to assert its authority over Berlin.

France

Those bloody-minded French . . . Mutually hostile political parties appear to be in no mood for a compromise to dig the president out of his hole. His temporising is keeping a divided France on edge:

The USA

Finding Biden . . .

The Way of the World

Transgender extremists have claimed that many teenagers have killed themselves as the result of denying them puberty-blockers. A relevant paragraph: Have restrictions on the use of puberty blockers since 2020 caused “”a huge increase in deaths of young trans people”, as the Good Law Project has claimed? Louise Appleby, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Manchester and lead at the Centre for Mental Health and Risk, was commissioned by Health Secretary Wes Streeting to find out by reviewing data from an audit of deaths among current and former patients of the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust Gender Identity Service(GIDS). Appleby concluded: “The data do not support the claim that there has been a large rise in suicide by young patients attending GIDS since 2020 or after any other recent date.”

Social Media

The non-libertarian view . . Social media policing is a threat to free speech. The Telegram founder’s arrest is a watershed moment as governments walk the line between moderation and censorship. . . . The line between “online moderation” and “online censorship” is muddy, and getting more so by the day. . . . While the new Labour government may end up doing lots of worthwhile things for Britain, it’s already clear they’re no champions of free speech. More here.

Did you know?

The novel “Tristram Shandy” ends with the phrase ‘A cock and bull story’. I take this to be Sterne’s verdict on his own work. There’s a film entitled “A Cock and Bull Story- which stars 3 of the UK’s great comedians and Gillian Anderson, who’s in so many British shows she almost classifies as English. I didn’t really get it the first time round but will now have another go.

Finally . .

A couple of readers have said they have problems making Comments to my posts. I’ve checked and ensured there are no restrictions on my part. It’s been suggested the problem might lie with the computer – browser? – of the reader. So, this is something from an AI search:-

Troubleshooting Login Issues

If you can’t comment while logged in:-

1. Try commenting in a different browser.
2. Attempt commenting while logged out.
3. Check if you can comment by entering your email/name manually.

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.