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.
Spain is one of the EU states resisting the demand to increase military spending, even to a level above 2%.
It’s June. Time to prepare for flame-jumping.
María delves into Spanish history here – The Monarchy and the Camps.
There was a conference of regional presidents this week. One of the things they fell out about was the use of Catalan and Gallego. So, what chance the EU accepting these as official languages?
Cousas de Galicia
These are numbers to wonder at, the annual total of walkers on the Camino Inglés:-
- 2003: 267
- 2024: 28,046. An increase of 10,700%
The UK
A nice quote about the man seen by some as the next PM: The “hail fellow, well-met” demeanour of Farage always was skin deep. The late description of him as a “snarling, thin-skinned and aggressive” man was right on the button. So, any enterprise with Farage involved is going to be a foul pit of intrigue, back-stabbing, duplicity and betrayal.
Europe
Possibly a tad pessimistic. . . The blunt truth is that admitting Bulgaria into the eurozone is a very big risk, and a decision that has been made on purely political grounds. It may well end up crashing the system all over again [a la Greece]. If so the leaders of the zone will only have themselves to blame.
Trumpworld/LA LA Land
Many had predicted that the relationship between Musk and Trump, two men known for their large egos and unpredictable behavior, could not last, but the sheer level of vitriol stunned Americans and would seem to make a reconciliation unlikely.
The FT asks: Are Trump and Musk now enemies? The real cause of their falling out has little to do with the US fiscal deficit. . . . . . . Psychology, not fiscal philosophy, is a better lens on these men’s behaviour. As the late-night comedian Stephen Colbert put it: “I’m starting to worry that two narcissistic megalomaniacs with a total inability to see value in other humans might have a hard time making friends.”
And a couple of good Guardian articles:-
- Trash talk from Trump and Musk.
- How pathetic it all is. It’s not just that these are not very smart guys; it’s that they are guys whose power and money has inflated their egos to such a pathological extent that they are no longer stable, or even especially functional. They would be sad enough cases if their personal deteriorations did not have world-historical consequences; if they hurt only themselves and did not create so much needless suffering for others.
And one from The Times on bond-holders’ concerns.
Just for the record . . . One commentator who got it all right, in July 2024. Let us declare independence from the monarchical presidency. Astonishingly accurate. But a call to arms that was very largely ignored. Possibly proving the truth of the aphorism that Voters get the government they deserve. But what about the rest of us who shared the fears of the columnist? The First Battalion of Innocent Bystanders?
So, should we listen to this Jeremiah? Trump vs Musk is the final battle before economic catastrophe. Elon Musk’s monumental failure at Doge brings a terrible reckoning even closer.
Quotes of the Day
- Trump v Musk: world’s two worst people are finally having a big, beautiful breakup.
- The feud creates new pressures for Republican politicians, who must now choose between angering Musk- whose money could fund a primary challenge to any of them – and provoking Trump, whose approval can make or break their political careers. [Anyone feel sorry for them?]
- Like his one-time boss Donald Trump, Musk seems to regard government more as performative art than public service.
The Way of the World
Compulsive reading . . . The Rule of Idiots: In the last days of all empires the idiots take over. They mirror the collective stupidity of a civilization that has detached itself from reality.
Spanish
- Plante: Stand, revolt.
- Toma y daca: Give and take.
- Pinganillo: Earpiece, earphone.
English
To gaggle: To make a noise like a goose, to cackle. From Middle English gagelen. Which has related words in other Teutonic languages.
You Have to Laugh
I shouldn’t laugh but . . . I went to the doctor, as I was suffering from a compulsion to gossip. He referred me to a rumourtologist . . .
Finally . . .
Heard on the BBC this morning, the first record I recall buying.
Finally, Finally . . . .
Getting closer to the end of The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon – a woman I’d certainly like to have dinner with. Even if she was a terrible snob. And probably wouldn’t have dined with me to save her life.
Note: A friend has advised me there there is a BBC Radio 4 mystery set in 10th-century Japan based on this book.
Things Worth Seeing. The Special Festival at Kamo.
On one cold, overcast day the snow began to come down in scattered flakes, falling on the blue and white robes of the people in the procession and on the flowers that they wore in their head-dress. I found the sight immensely delightful. The sheaths of the dancers’ swords shone magnificently, and the cords of their jackets, which hung over the sheaths, were so bright that they might have been polished. Beneath the printed material of their trouser-skirts I could see the brilliant, glossy silk of their under-robes, and for a moment I wondered whether they were made of ice.
While we were still watching the dancers, the musicians appeared. They were insignificant men of low rank, but it was delightful to hear them chanting.
What can compare with an Imperial Progress? When the Emperor passes in his palanquin, he is as impressive as a God and I forget that my work in the Palace constantly brings me into his presence.
Not only His Majesty himself, but even people like Ladies of the Escort, who usually are of no importance, overawe me when I see them in an Imperial Progress.
We had stopped our carriage on a splendidly wide road and had sat there for a long time, hiding our faces behind our fans and waiting for the procession to arrive. A hot sun shone through the carriage blinds, dazzling us and making us perspire in a most unsightly fashion.
While we sat in our carriage waiting impatiently for the procession, we saw a group of men in red coming from the Upper Shrine, carrying the High Priestess’s empty palanquins. It impressed me deeply that the High Priestess herself had travelled in one of these palanquins; but I was rather disturbed at the thought that low fellows like these could have come close to her sacred presence.
The High Priestess and her retinue soon arrived. First we could see the fans come into sight, then the yellow-green robes of the gentlemen from the Emperor’s Private Office. It was a splendid sight. The men wore their under-robes in such a way that the white material stood out against the yellowish-green of their outer robes. They had taken down the blinds, and I could see that they were messily dressed in hunting costumes and violet cloaks; altogether they had made a very bizarre impression.
Today these same young men were beautifully attired in full Court costume and ready to take part in the High Priestess’s banquet. They looked extremely demure as one by one they passed, each in his own carriage; and the young Palace pages who followed were also very attractive.
After the Procession had gone, things got out of hand. Every one wanted to be the first to leave and there was a great crush of carriages, which I found rather frightening. I stuck my fan out of the window to summon my attendants. “Don’t be in such a hurry,” I scolded them. “Go slowly.” Since they paid not the slightest attention and continued to push ahead, I became very flustered and ordered them to pull up the carriage in a place where the road was a little wider. The men were very impatient and it annoyed them to have to stop.
I noticed that the carriage of one man – 1 have no idea who he can have been – was following close behind mine, and I decided that this was much more pleasant than being alone on the road. When we came to a fork where our paths separated, he leaned out and recited the line, “That scatter on the peak”, which I found delightful.
In the Fifth Month I love going up to a mountain village. When one passes a marsh on the way, a thick covering of weeds hides the water and it seems like a stretch of green grass; but as the escort walk across these patches, the water spurts up under their feet though it is quite shallow. The water is incredibly clear and looks very pretty as it gushes forth. Where the road runs between hedges, a branch will sometimes thrust its way into the carriage. One snatches at it quickly, hoping to break it off; alas, it always slips out of one’s hand. Sometimes one’s carriage will pass over a branch of sage brush, which then gets caught in the wheel and is lifted up at each turn, letting the passengers breathe its delicious scent.
During the hot months it is a great delight to sit on the veranda, enjoying the cool of the evening and observing how the outlines of objects gradually become blurred. At such a moment I particularly enjoy the sight of a gentleman’s carriage, preceded by outriders clearing the way. Sometimes a couple of commoners will pass in a carriage with the rear blinds slightly raised. As the oxen trot along, one has a pleasant sense of freshness. It is still more delightful when the sound of a lute or flute comes from inside the carriage, and one feels sorry when it disappears in the distance. Occasionally one catches a whiff of the oxen’s leather cruppers; it is a strange, unfamiliar smell, but, absurd as it may seem, I find something rather pleasant about it. On a very dark night it is delightful when the aroma of smoke from the pine-torches at the head of a procession is wafted through the air and pervades the carriage in which one is travelling.
One has carefully scented a robe and then forgotten about it for several days. When finally one comes to wear it, the aroma is even more delicious than on freshly scented clothes.
When crossing a river in bright moonlight, I love to see the water scatter in showers of crystal under the oxen’s feet.
Things That Should Be Large
- Priests.
- Fruit.
- Houses.
- Provision bags.
- Inksticks for inkstones.
- Men’s eyes: when they are too narrow, they look feminine. On the other hand, if they were as large as metal bowls, I should find them rather frightening.
- Round braziers.
- Winter cherries.
- Pine trees.
- The petals of yellow roses.
- Horses as well as oxen should be large.
Things That Should Be Short
- A piece of thread when one wants to sew something in a hurry.
- A lampstand.
- The hair of a woman of the lower classes should be neat and short.
- The speech of a young girl.
121. Things Worth Seeing. The Special Festival at Kamo.
On one cold, overcast day the snow began to come down in scattered flakes, falling on the blue and white robes of the people in the procession and on the flowers that they wore in their head-dress. I found the sight immensely delightful. The sheaths of the dancers’ swords shone magnificently, and the cords of their jackets, which hung over the sheaths, were so bright that they might have been polished. Beneath the printed material of their trouser-skirts I could see the brilliant, glossy silk of their under-robes, and for a moment I wondered whether they were made of ice.
While we were still watching the dancers, the musicians appeared. They were insignificant men of low rank, but it was delightful to hear them chanting.
What can compare with an Imperial Progress? When the Emperor passes in his palanquin, he is as impressive as a God and I forget that my work in the Palace constantly brings me into his presence.
Not only His Majesty himself, but even people like Ladies of the Escort, who usually are of no importance, overawe me when I see them in an Imperial Progress.
We had stopped our carriage on a splendidly wide road and had sat there for a long time, hiding our faces behind our fans and waiting for the procession to arrive. A hot sun shone through the carriage blinds, dazzling us and making us perspire in a most unsightly fashion.
While we sat in our carriage waiting impatiently for the procession, we saw a group of men in red coming from the Upper Shrine, carrying the High Priestess’s empty palanquins. It impressed me deeply that the High Priestess herself had travelled in one of these palanquins; but I was rather disturbed at the thought that low fellows like these could have come close to her sacred presence.
The High Priestess and her retinue soon arrived. First we could see the fans come into sight, then the yellow-green robes of the gentlemen from the Emperor’s Private Office. It was a splendid sight. The men wore their under-robes in such a way that the white material stood out against the yellowish-green of their outer robes. They had taken down the blinds, and I could see that they were messily dressed in hunting costumes and violet cloaks; altogether they had made a very bizarre impression.
Today these same young men were beautifully attired in full Court costume and ready to take part in the High Priestess’s banquet. They looked extremely demure as one by one they passed, each in his own carriage; and the young Palace pages who followed were also very attractive.
After the Procession had gone, things got out of hand. Every one wanted to be the first to leave and there was a great crush of carriages, which I found rather frightening. I stuck my fan out of the window to summon my attendants. “Don’t be in such a hurry,” I scolded them. “Go slowly.” Since they paid not the slightest attention and continued to push ahead, I became very flustered and ordered them to pull up the carriage in a place where the road was a little wider. The men were very impatient and it annoyed them to have to stop.
I noticed that the carriage of one man – 1 have no idea who he can have been – was following close behind mine, and I decided that this was much more pleasant than being alone on the road. When we came to a fork where our paths separated, he leaned out and recited the line, “That scatter on the peak”, which I found delightful.
In the Fifth Month I love going up to a mountain village. When one passes a marsh on the way, a thick covering of weeds hides the water and it seems like a stretch of green grass; but as the escort walk across these patches, the water spurts up under their feet though it is quite shallow. The water is incredibly clear and looks very pretty as it gushes forth. Where the road runs between hedges, a branch will sometimes thrust its way into the carriage. One snatches at it quickly, hoping to break it off; alas, it always slips out of one’s hand. Sometimes one’s carriage will pass over a branch of sage brush, which then gets caught in the wheel and is lifted up at each turn, letting the passengers breathe its delicious scent.
During the hot months it is a great delight to sit on the veranda, enjoying the cool of the evening and observing how the outlines of objects gradually become blurred. At such a moment I particularly enjoy the sight of a gentleman’s carriage, preceded by outriders clearing the way. Sometimes a couple of commoners will pass in a carriage with the rear blinds slightly raised. As the oxen trot along, one has a pleasant sense of freshness. It is still more delightful when the sound of a lute or flute comes from inside the carriage, and one feels sorry when it disappears in the distance. Occasionally one catches a whiff of the oxen’s leather cruppers; it is a strange, unfamiliar smell, but, absurd as it may seem, I find something rather pleasant about it. On a very dark night it is delightful when the aroma of smoke from the pine-torches at the head of a procession is wafted through the air and pervades the carriage in which one is travelling.
One has carefully scented a robe and then forgotten about it for several days. When finally one comes to wear it, the aroma is even more delicious than on freshly scented clothes.
When crossing a river in bright moonlight, I love to see the water scatter in showers of crystal under the oxen’s feet.
Things That Should Be Large
Priests.
Fruit.
Houses.
Provision bags.
Inksticks for inkstones.
Men’s eyes: when they are too narrow, they look feminine. On the other hand, if they were as large as metal bowls, I should find them rather frightening.
Round braziers.
Winter cherries.
Pine trees.
The petals of yellow roses.
Horses as well as oxen should be large.
Things That Should Be Short
A piece of thread when one wants to sew something in a hurry.
A lampstand.
The hair of a woman of the lower classes should be neat and short.
The speech of a young girl.
mystery set in 10th-century Japan based on this book.
Note: A friend has advised me there there is a BBC Radio 4 . Even if she was a terrible snob. And probably wouldn’t have dined with me to save her life.ofSei Shonagon. A woman I’d certainly like to have dinner with
Finally, Finally . . . .
Getting closer to the end of The Pillow Book
Heard on the BBC this morning, the first record I recall buying.
I shouldn’t laugh but . . . I went to the doctor, as I was suffering from a compulsion to gossip. He referred me to a rumourtologist . . .
To gaggle: To To make a noise like a goose, to cackle. From Middle English gagelen. Which has similar words in other Teutonic languages.
Toma y daca: Give and take
Pinganillo: Earpiece, earphone
Plante: Stand, revolt.https://chrishedges.substack.com/p/the-rule-of-idiots?r=2wln93
The Rule of Idiots: In the last days of all empires the idiots take over. They mirror the collective stupidity of a civilization that has detached itself from reality.
Compulsive reading . . .
Like his one-time boss Donald Trump, Musk seems to regard government more as performative art than public service.
The feud creates new pressures for Republican politicians, who must now choose between angering Musk- whose money could fund a primary challenge to any of them – and provoking Trump, whose approval can make or break their political careers. [Anyone feel sorry for them?]
Trump v Musk: world’s two worst people are finally having a big, beautiful breakup. https://archive.ph/V41Ld
So, should we listen to this Jeremiah? Trump vs Musk is the final battle before economic catastrophe. Elon Musk’s monumental failure at Doge brings a terrible reckoning even closer
Just for the record . . . One commentator who got it all right, in July 2024. Let us declare independence from the monarchical presidency. Astonishingly accurate. But a call to arms that was very largely ignored. Possibly proving the truth of the aphorism that Voters get the government they deserve. But what about the rest of us who shared the fears of the columnist. The First Battalion of Innocent Bystanders.
And one from The Times on bond-holders’ concerns.
It’s not just that these are not very smart guys; it’s that they are guys whose power and money has inflated their egos to such a pathological extent that they are no longer stable, or even especially functional. They would be sad enough cases if their personal deteriorations did not have world-historical consequences; if they hurt only themselves and did not create so much needless suffering for others. How pathetic it all is.
Trash talk from Trump and Musk
And a couple of good Guardian articles:-https://archive.ph/zEVjA
As the late-night comedian Stephen Colbert put it: “I’m starting to worry that two narcissistic megalomaniacs with a total inability to see value in other humans might have a hard time making friends.”
The FT asks: Are Trump and Musk now enemies?The real cause of their falling out has little to do with the US fiscal deficit. . . . . . . Psychology, not fiscal philosophy, is a better lens on these men’s behaviour. Many had predicted that the relationship between Musk and Trump, two men known for their large egos and unpredictable behavior, could not last, but the sheer level of vitriol stunned Americans and would seem to make a reconciliation unlikely.
https://archive.ph/gpU8KThe blunt truth is that admitting Bulgaria into the eurozone is a very big risk, and a decision that has been made on purely political grounds. It may well end up crashing the system all over again [a la Greece]. If so the leaders of the zone will only have themselves to blame.
Possibly a tad pessimistic. . .
A nice quote about the man seen by some as the next PM: The “hail fellow, well-met” demeanour of Farage always was skin deep. The late description of him as a “snarling, thin-skinned and aggressive” man was right on the button. So, any enterprise with Farage involved is going to be a foul pit of intrigue, back-stabbing, duplicity and betrayal. 28,046. An increase of 10,700%
These are numbers to wonder about, the annual total of walkers on the Camino Inglés:-
2003: 267
2024:
There was a conference of regional presidents this week. One of the things they fell out about was the use of Catalan and Gallego. So, what chance the EU accepting these as official languages?https://spanishviews.wordpress.com/2025/06/06/in-dystopian-times-10-the-monarchy-and-the-camps/https://thecorner.eu/news-spain/spain-refuses-natos-demand-to-increase-military-spending-to-5/120638/
It’s June. Time to prepared for flame-jumping.
María delves into Spanish history here – The Monarchy and the Camps.
Spain is certainly one of the EU states resisting the demand to increase military spending, even to a level above 2%.How pathetic it all isThe
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.
- This post of mine contains several relevant articles from ThinkSpain.
- 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.
- A comparison of UK and Spanish living costs.
- And here’s a personal guide to moving to Spain – to work, not to retire.
- Finally, from a tax lawyer: Everything you need to know about taxes and healthcare when retiring to Spain.
Thoughts from Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain 
Caĺling Matthew Lynn a tad pessimistic is one hell of an understatement. You are being very kind to that brexit anti-net-zero fanatic. Yeah, Bulgaria….6 million people. Half the population of Greece. I doubt it will cause that much trouble. It is still struggling to adjust unlike its neighbour Romania, which is booming. But it’s time will come. The EU has transformed Eastern Europe and were it not for Russia it would be in a better position still. One country that is not doing so well lately is Hungary. I wonder why.
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Tu me das unos sustos de muerte, que Farage puede ser El Primer Ministro de UK ? Entonces los británicos dejarían la historia de Los Nazis y El Fascismo, atrás. Espero que no. Por otra parte, que La UE pone a Bulgaria de ejemplo, en serio ? En cuanto a los diferentes idiomas españoles, en Europa no tienen sentido pero en España como Estado plurinacional que es, sí pueden utilizarse, aunque yo sólo conozca el castellano.
se empeñan en decir que España no es un Estado plurinacional y sí lo es, y si a la señora que paseaba los perros de Esperanza Aguirre, no le gusta, es su problema, por más que diga que España es Madrid, no Madrid es la capital de España, era una provincia que hicieron CCAA y si sale de las reuniones mejor, no se pierde nada. Feijoo dice lo mismo, que bayan Bélgica donde el idioma oficial es el francés cuántos idiomas se hablan ? Y además en Bruselas el inglés. No se dan cuenta que Cataluña tiene mucho peso ? No se han enterado tampoco del País Vasco desde los tiempos, no es el caso de Galicia, que la ciudad más industrial es Vigo ( la hicieron los catalanes )
Ya he visto el esperpento en Madrid después de fletar autobuses a la capital, el olor a rancio…los que han votado en contra de todas las mejoras, ayudas, tienen La Sanidad y La Educación, Servicios Sociales por el suelo, quieren hacer grande a España como cuando ellos gobernaron.
Feijoo vete haciendo las maletas.
Ayuso continúa en modo estrella de cine…las banderas que no falten.
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