Awake, for morning in the bowl of night has flung the stone that puts
the stars to flight.
And, lo, the hunter of the east 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

What foreigners are said to like most about Spain. I can’t believe bad language is one of them and I know that South Americans are shocked to hear it in the Motherland.

Lenox Napier writes from the USA on a few Spanish matters here.

Scenes from Valencia, a month on.

Cousas de Galicia

A rare foto of the mayor of Pv city – far right – not wearing jeans. From the length of his trousers, I’d say he’s had to borrow them . . .

The UK

That ministerial resignation which will never be emulated in Spain. Well, not until Hell freezes over.

France

A peek inside the magnificently restored Notre Dame.

The USA

Allegedly, Trump’s replacement AG pick might be the most corrupt person in the country.

The Way of the World

Are things thus outside the Anglosphere?? Deliveroo culture is out of control. One thing’s for sure: If you have kids and you let them know this is possible, you’ll have made an enormous cross for your back.

English

To have work’ (done): Euphemism for having plastic surgery

Spanish

• Aletargado: Lethargic, sluggish, dormant
• Punzante: Sharp, stabbing, throbbing
• Pie de imprinta: Imprint
• Zanjar: To settle, resolve

You Have to Laugh

I read a very positive review on a BBC Series – The Going Wrong Show. It really is very funny but you’ll need a VPN to see it outside the UK, of course. Or a big enough satellite dish, I guess. Remember them?

Finally . . .

Two of my favourite 60s songs, here and here. As one commentator said:[Pop]Music back then was so simple yet had the ability to be the memories we treasure today.

Finally, Finally . . .

I had decided that AI was very good for searches on factual matters but, when I asked 2 engines last night to cite blogs on Galicia or Pontevedra, neither of them came with this one, which I’ve been writing for 23 years on a daily basis. What they did cite were either guides to the region or the city, or media articles. On the other hand, Google did cite my stuff on the top of their answers. But this might not happen if non-readers of my blog tried this. So, I’ve asked 2 such people to do the exercise – my own bloody daughters. Serpents’ teeth, said The Bard.

My thanks to those readers who take the trouble to Like my posts, either after reading them 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.