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

All you need to know about changes in the property laws this year.

And what you need to know about further delays to the introduction of the EU’s ETIAS system, which is different from its new EES system.

I believe Japan is the only country in which folk live longer than in Spain. Curiously, I think it’s also the only country which is noisier than Spain. Is there a connection? Within Spain, one region beats all the others.

I do hope Spain’s remaining Catholics are praying for this madness to stop.

Portugal

The Algarve has been named as the top spot for affordable holidays, for Brits, at least – The cheapest of 47 destinations,. Picturesque fishing villages, sandy beaches, sunshine, food and drink, as well as a warm welcome[= cf. Spain] are just a few of the reasons why the Algarve in Portugal is a popular tourist destination. Good value for money can now also be added to the list of reasons the region appeals to British holidaymakers.

The UK

Russia says the UK is its no. 1 enemy. Which is surprising, flattering and, of course, frightening. I wonder what the country’s done to achieve this honour. Perhaps the Russians, like the Iranians, haven’t noticed that things have changed quite a lot since 1945.

Trump

By analogy with Booking, I believe Trump has now reached Lunatic Level 3. Yesterday, he highjacked a press conference at the Department of Justice and literally went nuts. Or nutter than ever, I should say. In true fascist fashion, he declared everyone and everything he doesn’t like illegal and then, effectively, instructed the DoJ to persecute and jail them, saying Your higher calling is to go after really bad organisations and people who illegally criticise me.

In this video, this ‘weaponisation of the Justice Department’ garners phrases like goes off the rails, crosses a line and makes truly absurd claims. All very valid. See here also.

Trump singled out CNN and MSNBC, insisting that they are – like him – ‘corrupt’ and ‘illegal’. These, of course, are Trump’s go-to adjectives for anything he doesn’t like. In his mind, he’s not only above the law but actually IS the law. Do we/Vance need any further evidence of dangerous insanity?

Tellingly, Trump’s horrific discourse was delivered in language of a lower level than that of my 6 year old half-Spanish grandson, majoring on the word ‘bad’.

A damning European intelligence report claims that Moscow sees Trump as “weak” and “open to manipulation”. According to the report, which cites intelligence gathered this month, the Kremlin believe he is weak, lacks a core set of principles and may be open to manipulation. Surprise, surprise.

Other Nutters

As someone has said, it’s chilling that Trump’s Commerce Secretary – Howard Lutncick – is desperately spinning the dire economic forecasts of just about everyone. He claimed to the Fox Business host that these forecasts are “ridiculous”, while reassuring her that everything is “awesome” right now. “It’s not that bad!” he exclaimed, adding that nobody is feeling any “deep pain” at the moment. For me, his act is so maniacal that I suspect it’s meant to indicate he doesn’t believe a word he’s saying. Just like the rest of us. I suspect he won’t last longer than Marco Rubio.

The USA: Observations and Quotes

It’s been pointed out that there are striking similarities between Trump’s officials saying Americans need to suffer from his trade wars in order to prosper in the future and the promises made by prosperity preachers such as Trump’s egregious ally Paula White. “What’s striking about the prosperity gospel and its empty promises of future wealth in exchange for current privation is how much it sounds exactly like the excuses Trump and his allies are making for the economic wreckage he’s inflicting on the USA through unnecessary and unjustifiable tariffs”. So . . . Is he tapping into something puritanical and peculiarly American??

I suppose the good news is that Trump’s disapproval levels are growing.

An interesting thesis . . . Why is Trump crashing the US economy? Because he’s high on his own supply of fake news.

Russia v Ukraine

Did anyone expect anything different? Putin makes it clear that Russia will only play ball with Ukraine by his rules. While carefully avoiding an outright rejection of US ceasefire proposals, he is playing for time.

“Together for ever” were the words beamed over Red Square in September 2022 when President Putin illegally annexed four regions of Ukraine. Which rather endorse the belief that Putin’s ambitions have never been limited to simply ‘denazifying’ Eastern Ukraine.

Spanish

• Embudo: Funnel, bottleneck, pipeline.
• Rodado: Road. Filmed.
• Díscolo: Rebellious, unruly, fractious, etc.
• A raudales: In abundance, in spades

Did you know?

On 23 March, the BBC will debut a series set in Liverpool. It’s officially titled “This City Is Ours” but is being called – at least by one columnist – the “Scouse Sopranos”. It’s about an affluent drugs boss who’s balancing his family life in a lovely house with running a criminal gang and all the violence that goes with it. See more on this below.

BTW . . . Pomposity is a heinous crime in Liverpool, punishable by relentless mockery.

You Have to Laugh

Finally . . .

Proverbs from around the world:

• Malta: Do good and forget it; do ill and remember it.
• Gambia: Not to know is bad, not to want to know is worse
• Poland: There are a thousand roads to every wrong.

Finally, Finally. . . .

This City is Ours

By setting the series in Liverpool, the creators can tap into the city’s unique atmosphere and resources. Specific factors:-

1. Liverpool’s thriving film and television industry: The city has become a popular filming location for major productions
2. Unique urban landscape: Liverpool’s diverse architecture and industrial areas provide a compelling backdrop for a crime drama
3. Rich cultural history: The city’s vibrant culture and complex social dynamics provide a fertile ground for exploring themes of power, family, and organized crime
4. Local talent and resources: Liverpool has developed a strong infrastructure for film and TV production
5. Financial incentives: The series received investment from the Liverpool Film Office

The city’s culture and history significantly influence the storytelling in several ways:

1. Authentic backdrop.
2. Cultural richness:
3. Local perspectives: The creators can incorporate local viewpoints and experiences, making the storytelling more relatable to the city’s residents and providing a unique perspective for wider audiences.
4. Historical context: Liverpool’s history, including its maritime past and periods of economic struggle, are woven into the narrative, adding depth and authenticity to the characters’ backgrounds and motivations.
5. Language and dialect: The use of local accents and colloquialisms enhance the storytelling by reflecting the city’s linguistic identity and cultural nuances.
6. Community dynamics: Liverpool’s strong sense of community and local pride are incorporated into the storytelling, influencing character relationships and plot developments
7. Cultural myths and legends: Local stories and urban legends specific to Liverpool are integrated into the narrative.

By leveraging these elements, the creators of “This City Is Ours” can craft a narrative that is deeply rooted in Liverpool’s culture and history, making the storytelling more immersive and authentic for viewers.

Yes, there is a significant Irish element in the BBC series “This City Is Ours.” Several aspects of the show incorporate Irish talent and connections:

1. Cast members: Saoirse-Monica Jackson, plays the character Cheryl Crawford
2. Director: Irish director John Hayes is directing some episodes of the series1.
3. Setting: While the series is primarily set in Liverpool, the city has a strong historical connection to Ireland
4. Character backgrounds: It’s likely that some characters in the series will have Irish heritage, given Liverpool’s demographic history and the inclusion of Irish talent in the production.

The inclusion of Irish elements in the cast and crew suggests that the series can incorporate aspects of Irish culture or explore themes relevant to the Irish diaspora in Liverpool.

My thanks to those readers who take the trouble to Like my posts.

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. But see here on this. 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.
• Getting a mortgage in Spain: Some advice on this challenge.