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

Immigration: No longer a non-issue in Spain it seems. At least, not as regards those immigrants who don´t come from South America.

• The Times: The incidents have fuelled a national debate in a country that until recently believed itself immune to tensions over immigration in other European countries.
• Alleged Spanish attitudes.
• Criticism of the Spanish media.

A fascinating Netflix documentary, from Germany of all places, on Franco’s rise and his dictatorial reign.

Lenox Napier on drinks . . .

Cousas de Galiza

I mentioned attending this festival years ago. A bizarre experience. I recall that, a year or two ago, they couldn’t find enough folk to fill the coffins. Can’t remember what they did.

The autopista featured in this VdG leader is one of the most expensive in Spain, in a region poorer than most others. It has always been a source of irritation to the Galicians – who surely suspect politico-commercial skulduggery, especially now, when many other autopistas have been liberated from tolls. . . . The AP-9, from the “navallada à terra”[Galician: ‘cut of the turf’?] to Aznar’s concession: Construction of the The Atlantic Highway began in 1973 and wasn’t completed until 30 years later. Throughout that period, and ever since, it has been the cause of numerous protests and 3 concession extensions. During its construction, there were demonstrations, first over expropriations, then because it was a “navallada à terra” as it divided Galicia, and there were even attacks against construction companies. The latest extension, granted by Aznar until 2048, was the spark that took the AP-9 to the European courts. These have now given the government an ultimatum to fix it, considering it illegal.

Portugal

Portugal has 3 records that I know of:-

• Longest continuous international alliance. With England. Signed on 13 June 1373.
• Europe’s oldest frontier.
• Europe’s longest frontier. Actually, the same one.

This is certainly a lovely place but whether it’s worth this accolade, I’m not sure.

The UK

The Labour government is – self-interestedly – giving the vote to 16 year olds. This – right wing – newspaper lists here – amusingly – the numerous things this new electorate will still not be allowed to do.

THE MAGA REALITY TV SHOW

Trumpisms

• Pam Bondi’s done a very good job. [Possibly a death sentence].
• My uncle was the longest serving professor in MIT. He had 3 degrees. [He wasn’t and he didn’t, you’ll be less-than-surprised to know.]
• I aced an IQ test. [It was a dementia test, several years ago.}
• I have never drawn sketches in my life. [At least 3 have been auctioned since he became president.]

The ¨News¨ and Articles/Videos resulting from it

• Trump responds suspiciously to the Ghislaine Maxwell developments. For reasons one can only be guessed at, he fires a relevant prosecutor.
• The WSJ reports on a telling Trump letter to Epstein. And Vance makes a bid for a take-over.
• Trump says something about his voters no president has ever said before. And manages to do something which no opponent has ever been able to so – separate him from his base.
• An FT columnist claims here that Trump and MAGA are no longer the same thing. Interestingly, he says that We have to entertain the notion that Trump is a moderating influence on a movement that will become much more doctrinal once he is gone. This fits with my own comment that Vance will be worse, as he actually believes what she says. And, of course, is far more intelligent than Trump.
• The MAGA nutcase Laura Loomer has claimed: There are people in the White House who agree with me that Pam [Bondi] spent too much time on Fox News and her statements were inconsistent and undermined what the messaging is today about the Epstein files.

Quotes of the Day

• Trump doesn’t have the power to go against the courts: [A radical change of heart from Kristi Noem].
• A Trump ex-aide: Something is happening that the media is not reporting. But now even Trump’s closest allies are starting to admit it: the man is unraveling. You could call it desperation, cognitive decline, or just plain delusion. But when he can’t remember that he himself nominated Jerome Powell to the Fed—and then blames Joe Biden for it—you know something is deeply wrong. He’s so used to blaming Biden for everything, it’s now automatic. The economy? Biden’s fault. The Epstein files? Biden planted them. On polling, Quinnipiac’s bombshell poll just dropped, and it shows what Trump fears most: his own voters are done being lied to. 63% of all voters disapprove of Trump’s Epstein cover-up. But here’s the kicker: 40% of Republicans are rejecting his stonewalling too. That’s not a political hiccup—that’s a full-blown revolt inside the base. And the response from Trump? Rage. Projection. Attacks.
• Trump has a killer instinct. Which he is now applying to himself.

All that said, virtually all ‘neutral’ commentators are saying the Epstein saga won’t bring Trump down. What a lark US politics are . . . Surely giving democracy a bad name.

Spanish

• Compuerta: Gate, hatch, gateway, etc.
• Opiáceo: Opioid, opiate.
• Remanso: Haven, oasis, retreat.
• Gamela: A type of boat.
• Asustadizo: Skittish, jumpy, timid, etc.

English

Chief People Officer: What used to be called HR Director/Manager. Probably American.

You Have to Laugh

• Following his filching of a Chelsea victory medal and his keeping of the trophy, Trump has a great new nickname – The Commander-in-Thief.
• This morning I was able to use – to a friend who overindulged last night – a sentence once spoken to me: ¨I have no sympathy for the self-afflicted¨. No tengo simpatía por los que se afligen a sí mismos.

Finally . . .

The finale of the England v Sweden match last night was a ‘chaotic’ – so highly dramatic – penalty shoot-out in which 9 out of 15 were missed, or 60%. You can find out who finally won on YouTube here.

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 or on Substack.

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.

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.
• Buying a property ‘off-plan’.
• A comparison of UK and Spanish living costs.
• And here’s a personal guide to moving to Spain – to work, not to retire.
• What to do if your visa application is rejected.
• A warning re social security and VAT(IVA) payments for those who plane to be sel-employed.
• Finally, from a tax lawyer: Everything you need to know about taxes and healthcare when retiring to Spain.