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

Worryingly, all of Spain’s regions are losing population, with the exception of Madrid, the Balearics and Murcia. Galicia most of all.

Cousas de Galiza

The PSOE government is in hock to the minority nationalist parties. Which is why funding from Madrid is being rejigged, in favour of Cataluña. Galicia face a considerable loss of finance – c. 634m euros – and, of curse, is unhappy about this, But there ain’t much they can do, other than complain.

A separate worry is that a bear has appeared in a trap only 60km away, across the border with Asturias. Like the wolves, getting closer. With luck, they’ll prey on the wild boar.

The UK

If you’re planning to travel to the European mainland after early October this year, You might like to peruse the AI update below on the EU’s (long delayed) ESS and ETIAS schemes. Especially if going to Spain, France or Greece.

Err . . .

The EU v the USA

At the moment, the EU has 9 days to negotiate down the 30% tariff unilaterally imposed by Trump. According to EU diplomats, because prospects for an acceptable trade deal are fading, Brussels is exploring a broader set of possible counter-measures against the USA. It’s claimed that Trump’s 30% tariff would “practically prohibit” transatlantic trade. Hard times. Who’s going to blink first? And what form will this take? Another extension of the deadline?

The USA

• Where all that money goes.
• How it used to be and how it is now, under Trump.

THE MAGA REALITY TV SHOW

Quotes of the Day

• News anchors are struggling to make sense of Trump’s inane ramblings, eg about the naming of football clubs.
• The White House Press Spokesperson: He`s a non-traditional president.
• The Speaker of the House: God miraculously spared the president’s life. I think it’s undeniable and he did it for an obvious purpose. His presidency and his life are the fruits of divine providence. [Does even anyone in the Catholic Curia still believe stuff like that? How can you govern a country in which more than half the population do?].
• Trump deals with the things he’s most frightened of via silence. He’s said nothing about Epstein for 3 days. [Indulging in ineffective distraction techniques instead]
• Marjorie Taylor Greene [a member of Congress and a right-wing nutcase], giving advice to Trump yesterday: If you tell the base of people who support you of deep state treasonous crimes, election interference, blackmail, and a rich, powerful, elite evil cabals, then you must take down every enemy of The People. If not, the base will turn and there’s no going back. Dangling bits of red meats no longer satisfies. They want the whole steak dinner and will accept nothing else. [Trump presumably now regards her as a radical, left-wing lunatic.]

But he’s still expected to survive until 2028. What a country.

Spanish

• Destape: Uncovering, coming out.
• Telonero: Opening/support act.
• Comilona: Feast.pig-put, spread

Finally . . You Have to Laugh

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.

If you´re thinking of moving to Spain, this link should be useful to you.

The Current Situation with the EU’s EES and ETIAS Schemes

1. EU Entry/Exit System (EES)

Purpose: EES will replace manual passport stamping for non-EU nationals entering and leaving the Schengen Area. It will automate the collection and record of biometric data (fingerprints and facial images) and track the duration of each visitor’s stay.

Planned Launch: The EES is scheduled to begin phased operations – Spain, France or Greece.- on October 12, 2025 and will be fully deployed across all relevant EU borders by April 9, 2026.

Impacted Travelers: All non-EU visitors, including those from visa-exempt countries (such as the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, etc.), will need to record fingerprints and facial images upon their first entry.

No Pre-Travel Action Required: Travelers do not need to register or submit information before travel—the process happens at the border upon arrival.

Transitional Period: There will be a mixed use of biometric and manual systems as the EES rollout progresses, so experiences may differ depending on border crossings during the transition.

All travelers should expect delays during the initial period as border control adapts to new systems.

2. EU European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

How It Works: ETIAS will require visa-exempt travelers to obtain electronic pre-authorization online before traveling to 30 European countries, including all EU Schengen states (except Ireland) plus Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.

Planned Launch: ETIAS is now set to begin operations in the last quarter of 2026; the exact date will be announced closer to the time.

Fee: The ETIAS application fee has been raised from €7 to €20 as of July 2025, subject to confirmation by the European Parliament and Council. Applicants under 18 or over 70 will likely remain exempt from the fee.

Validity: The authorization is valid for 3 years or until the traveler’s passport expires, covering unlimited short-term stays within the 90/180 days rule.

Application Process: Most applications will be processed in minutes; travelers need only a passport and a debit/credit card. Biometric data is not collected during the ETIAS application—only basic personal and passport information is required.

Enforcement: Airlines and transport carriers will be responsible for verifying ETIAS authorizations before permitting boarding.

No action required by travelers until late 2026. ETIAS will only become mandatory several months after the EES is fully operational. There will be a transitional and grace period (together potentially up to a year) where entry may still be possible without ETIAS as everyone adapts to the new requirements.