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

An article in yesterday’s post ventured the view that tribalism in US politics eradicates accountability. I wondered 2 things: 1. Can the same be said of Spain? and 2. Does this happen to every country which has experienced a civil war within the last 200 years or so?

Lenox Napier tells us a bit about the origins of Madrid.

While the Autodidact Professor gives us here a potted history of the once-large and powerful kingdom of León, which at one time encompassed parts of Galicia and Castilla.

Another serene Northern region is exposed to the literati . . . Not what it was 20 years ago, of course. But, then, what place in Spain is? Or most of Portugal, for that matter.

My favourite tapa, hard to get in Pv city, Especially as a Portuguese restaurant that served them has recently closed.

Cousas de Galicia

This is a Times article on a breed of Galician cattle. All very accurate, except for the translation of rubia into blond. Typical of a speaker of Castellano. Rubia in Gallego/Galego means: Vermello ou encarnado, que pode ir desde a cor do sangue ata un ton case rosa. So, ‘red’.

The drums, the drums . . . Semana Santa approaches and, as in every year, from my eyrie way above Pv city I can hear the groups practising for the religious processions that involve the carrying of heavy statues.

The USA

This is the video of the lady without hair-extensions I cited yesterday. I understand the link was inoperable.

Trump naturally finished early on Friday and went off, at huge taxpayer expense, to play in a golf competition. Need I tell you that he won, as no one fancied being sent to the Tower and then beheaded without a trial.

News here of a ‘disastrous’ CBC interview we are yet to see. And there’s a video on it here. Trump at his most nonchalant and indulgent. Towards his minions, at least.

Vance goes to Greenland to share the fun with his poor, put-upon wife. Says the Guardian here: Not for the first time, JD Vance has made a public fool of himself. He insisted on visiting Greenland but his trip was confined to a remote Arctic base, where he briefly spoke to a few Americans. . . Spurned in Greenland and humiliated at home, the vice-president should resign. . . The hubris, arrogance, amateurishness and irresponsibility revealed by both episodes is truly shocking – and a chilling warning to the world.

Russia v Ukraine

Putin’s winning strategy? He knows exactly how to tempt Trump . . . This entails what one seasoned British diplomat has called “helping Trump be the worst version of himself he can”.

Quote of the Day

Richard Feynman: Fall in love with some activity, and do it! Nobody ever figures out what life is all about, and it doesn’t matter. Explore the world. Nearly everything is really interesting if you go into it deeply enough. Work as hard and as much as you want to on the things you like to do the best. Don’t think about what you want to be, but what you want to do. Keep up some kind of a minimum with other things so that society doesn’t stop you from doing anything at all.”

Net Zero

We don’t seem to be hearing as much about this these days, as the world faces economic turmoil. For one reason and another.

Spanish

Chucho: Mutt, pooch, mongrel.

English

In an article cited above you might have seen the word ‘prate’. I wondered how this differed from ‘prattle’, so checked with an AI engine:-, 

• Prate: Tedious or self-important speech.
• Prattle: Light-hearted or trivial chatter.

Context and tone are said to be key in choosing the appropriate word.

Did You Know?

Another article on how the clocks going forward affects your health and what you can do about it. With incidents of heart attack and stroke set to jump when daylight saving time kicks in this weekend, here’s how to reset. And here’s how to avoid worrying if you get only 5 hours or so a night,

Finally . .

I am OK on a laptop but have never used Sira, Alexa or even Hey, Google on my phone. I do frequently use an AI app, though I am aware of its limitations. This article suggests it might have been wise of me not to use the voice apps. . . . Siri, explain how you became Apple’s most embarrassing failure.

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 . . .
• I can also be read on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/colin.davies.752861 or on Substack at https://doncolin.substack.com/
• 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.