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

Today is El Dia de la Hispanidad. Here’s how and why. Not quite what it used to be.

Fun and games down on the Gib-Spain border.

And more red tape for the digital nomad visa, affecting all non-EU citizens who don’t have residence rights.

Talking about Spanish companies changing things without notifying customers . . . Both my energy suppliers and my bank have done this recently. A big contrast with the UK, and my bank in particular.

Here’s an article on a stretch of one of Spain’s numerous caminos de Santiago, in Extremadura on the Camino de la la Plata. For a more prosaic view of the challenge, click here. By the way, its a common misconception that this is the Route of Silver but it ain’t and never was. ‘Plata’ is a corruption of either a Latin or an Arabic word. There are several candidates

An example of the institutional advertising that Lenox Napier and I go on about . . .

This is from the Galician Xunta and so, of course, is in Gallego: Reveal the tongue[=language] you have inside you. Because wherever you are, you have a lot to say in Galician. And when you talk to your family or friends every day, don’t just share your culture: also make a language grow that says a lot about us.

For months, I’ve seen cryptic signs around Pv city referring to Feroz and wondered what they were about. I’ve finally learned that that Los Premios Feroz are Spanish awards for excellence in the audiovisual industry, including cinema and TV. And that the 2025 and 2026 editions will be held in Pontevedra. When the city will invest significantly in hosting these events, aiming to highlight its cultural and artistic landscape. Out of our municipal taxes, I guess.

Portugal

Worried about a brain drain, Lisbon has reduced tax rates for young folk, leading to allegations from Spain of a ‘fiscal paradise’ for these fortunate souls.

The EU

More on that ESS delay

China

Retaliates against EU import tariff measures . .

Spanish

• Borroka: Fighting: Fighter. (Basque)
• Kale borroka: Street fighting/fighter
• Cuna: Cradle, crib, cot; birthplace [eg of Columbus]
• Cuña: Wedge; chock; doorstop

Did you know?

Truly a beautiful relic . .

You Have to Laugh

Finally . . .

Interrupted only by a tropical storm and a bit of sun which came in its wake, we’ve had non-stop rain for 2 weeks now. One compensation for this is driving through the pools of water on the road and thrilling like a child in the jets of water thrown onto the pavement. But I only do this on the back road to my parking spot, where there are usually no pedestrians. However, this is currently serving as a diversion for the camino, so there are ‘pilgrims’ on it at any time of the day. But, saint that I am, I refrain from soaking these already-drenched sufferers.

My thanks to those readers who take the trouble to Like my posts, either after reading on line or in my FB group Thoughts from Galicia.

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.