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/Galicia

The VdG reports that the concerns of the Spanish populace are these:-

The VdG has also given us this table, in which corruption just beats out economic matters as the major worry. This probably relates only to Galicians but I’ve no idea why corruption rates highly in this one but doesn’t even figure in the first one and I can’t check that out right now. Possibly only because only 4 items were cited.

I saw this painting in the Pv city gallery yesterday, in an exhibition centring on Waves

It had no attribution so I wondered if it really could be a Canaletto in this provincial city. But Google Images tells me it’s A View of Venice by William James. Whom, I confess, I’ve never heard of. Perhaps a master forger. [Nope: William James (1754-1771) was an English painter of topographical views. He was known for painting Venetian views inspired by Canaletto.]

A reader tells me that the official record low temperature for mid-December in Pv city is not 2 degrees but 1.5. Hmm. As it happens, a report in either the VdG or the DdP today – probably the latter – said it was 1 degree last night and drivers found ice on the windows of their cars this morning. I guess the record needs to be updated. But the temperature rose to 14 during the day and my heating system did a bit better.

Portugal

Good to read that steps are now being taken to regulate the manufacture of narco-launches and to pursue manufacturers. Our narcos will now have to find another source, though I think I read recently that Andalucía – specifically Cádiz province – was now in this business.

Germany

The world’s worst-performing big economy is beset by high energy and labour costs, as well as by bureaucracy, crumbling infrastructure and plodding digital expansion.

France

• Attending to le malaise . . . . France needs to make itself more efficient, more responsible to global trends and more accepting of the precarious global climate that demands a sound economy. Much hangs on Mr Bayrou’s skill in navigating the country’s stormy waters.
• France’s public-sector deficit is on track to exceed 6% of GDP this year, more than double the eurozone limit; public debt is 110% of GDP and rising; and the bond markets this month rated France as marginally less creditworthy than Greece. The deficit is, of course, far more than would be allowed for junior members of the EU. Possibly even Spain.

The EU

Not good times . . . With leadership in both Paris and Berlin flailing, the ­so-called engine of Europe is largely stalled. The Guardian explains here why this is so. Beset by political crises and economic turmoil, the bloc’s two biggest countries are both at a crossroads.

The USA

• The forces behind the lionisation of a murder suspect [a murderer] Reaction to Brian Thompson’s killing shocked pundits but a polarized US is united in contempt for health system.
• Why the online left is simping* for Luigi Mangione. The celebration of the alleged assassin speaks to how morally and politically unmoored some ‘progressives’ have become.

*Simp is an internet slang term for Someone showing excessive sympathy and attention towards another person, typically to someone who doesn’t reciprocate the feelings. Simping is displayed towards a variety of targets, including celebrities, politicians, e-girls, and e-boys. And some murderers.

The Way of the World

This white T-shirt [now a ‘tee’] costs £160. Who in their right mind would pay this for something they may spill coffee down? Click here to find out.

Spanish

• Tétrico: Gloomy, dismal
• Hispalense: Sevillano. From/in/of Sevilla.

Did you know?

Good health . . . Essential reading. See the expanded list below . . .

You Have to Laugh

This is pretty irreverent but I confess to laughing at it . . .

Shout out for the hustler who tried to sell merchandise during the crucifixion.

Finally . . .

Those recommended red wine grapes. ranked in order:

• 1. Cabernet Sauvignon: The most planted wine grape in the world also happens to be the healthiest. The wines that tend to have more polyphenols tend to be the ones that are darker coloured. The polyphenols come from the skins and also the seeds of the grapes during the winemaking process, so, as a rule of thumb, go for a dark red wine like this one.
• 2. Cannonau di Sardegna: Cannonau – a regional red wine drunk in the “Blue Zone’’ of Sardinia, known for its longevity – is another name for the grenache grape and is often touted as one of the “healthiest” varieties. It is a rich source of flavonoids, which are compounds found in fruit, veg, chocolate, wine and tea that have a powerful antioxidant effect and help prevent cell damage. Flavonoids have been linked to decreased risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and cognitive diseases such as Alzeheimer’s.
• 3. Malbec: A “high altitude Argentine” wine is always a good bet, as the increased sunlight stimulates the synthesis of polyphenols and means the grapes are thicker-skinned. As they’re grown at higher altitudes, the UV rays are much stronger, which means the wine is richer in polyphenols”.
• 4. Alicante Bouschet: This Spanish grape is darkest in colour, and so richest in polyphenols.
• 5. Pinot Noir: This has a reputation as the healthiest red, but claims that it is “low sugar” or “low calorie” are rubbish. However, pinot noir does have a higher content of one polyphenol in particular, resveratrol, which has been shown to relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure in high doses. In animal studies, it has been shown to have benefits for diabetes and longevity.

Questions you’ll be asking . . .

• Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon both contain significant amounts of polyphenols, but Cabernet Sauvignon generally has higher levels.
• Alicante Bouschet, being a teinturier variety, contains anthocyanins not only in the skin but also in the pulp, contributing to its higher polyphenol content than with Tempranillo. But . . . The Tempranillo negro (VN21) clone shows significantly increased contents of phenolic compounds, potentially rivaling Alicante Bouschet in some aspects.

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 . . .

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.