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

Political stasis.

Good to know . . . Spanish becomes the most studied language in British schools at GCSE – overtaking French for the first time.

Lenox Napier has a productive day. . .

• On religion.
• On flagging.

I posted a foto of this the other day . . . British tourists have been warned of a potentially fatal sea creature that has forced multiple Spanish beaches to close this summer. The so-called blue dragons (Glaucus atlanticus) feed on other poisonous animals, such as jellyfish, and store their venom in concentrated doses. Coming across one can be deadly as they can trigger a severe allergic reaction to a single sting, causing severe pain, skin irritation, vomiting, and fever. Until 2021, they hadn’t been spotted off the coast of Spain for over 300 years, opting instead for the warmer waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. I guess it’d be good if orcas enjoyed eating them, along with the precious octopuses . . .

Cousas de Galiza

The VdG today . . . Why is Ourense burning? In 1956, a US military plane flew over Ourense province, taking photographs. These images, compared with those seen today, serve to demonstrate part of the reasons why a high percentage of Ourense’s forests succumbed to the devastating fires that month: what in the 1950s were farms used for agriculture and livestock farming became forests and scrubland. The depopulation caused by migration to the cities left the forest untended. Added to this is the climate factor and a particular fire culture, as flames are used to aid in agricultural work, increase pasture, and eliminate weeds.

It looks increasingly like Vigo will become a centre of olive cultivation. It does, after all, have the nickname of Olive City. Which I will explain one day.

Dynamic pricing/profiteering . . Flying from Galicia to Madrid this weekend could cost you more than 400 euros. But considerably less if you take a bus to Oporto. Going by bus from Galicia could cost you a mere 200 or so. Four times more than usual. The fires haven’t helped.

Europe

France is said here to be dying, a little ahead of the UK in this.

THE USA and THE MAGA REALITY TV SHOW

Trumpisms

Three ‘pressers’ yesterday. None of these statements is true. As to how many he really believes are true, who knows?

• The cost of energy in the UK is through the roof because of the use of wind energy.
• I am being called the President of Europe.
• Under my leadership, the USA has become the most respected country in the world.
• I released all the Israeli hostages.
• A lot of people are saying ‘Maybe we need a dictator’. I’m not a dictator. I’m just a man with great common sense and I’m a smart person.
• We’re taking in a lot of money from China.
• Foreign countries are paying hundreds of billions, trillions, of dollars into our country via tariffs.
• I don’t know anything about the raid on John Bolton’s house.
• Not many Red cities and states don’t have high crime.
• I will be reducing drug prices by 1400, 1500 percent.
• I have the right to do anything I want to do. If I think the USA is in danger, and it is in danger, I can do anything I want to do.

Vanceisms

Both WW1 and WW2 were ended by negotiations which involved land swaps. [Either staggering ignorance or bare-faced lying. Both were ended by the absolute defeat of Germany and the loss of some of its territories imposed by the victors. Is he really saying Ukraine is the equivalent of Germany, who started both wars? Is this how insane you have to be to stay in Trump’s Cabinet?]

Quote of the Day

Trump and Putin are working together to make the world safe for autocrats. Especially those with urinary incontinence.
Spanish

• Desdoblar: Break down. Widen. Divide. Double. Unbend.
• Suertudo: Lucky, fortunate, jammy.
• Espolear: Urge, spur on, encourage.
• Extraviar: Misplace. Mislead, Lead astray. Mislay.
• Afanarse: Strive, toil

Did you know?

The most popular fish in Galician markets right now is said to be the pez miudo, or mola mola. Wiki advises: The ocean sunfish (mola mola) is one of the largest bony fish in the world. Adults typically weigh between 247 and 1,000 kg. It is native to tropical and temperate waters around the world. It resembles a fish head without a tail, and its main body is flattened laterally. Sunfish can be as tall as they are long when their dorsal and ventral fins are extended. I have never seen one in the market and find it hard to believe it’s so popular. Maybe it’s sold in slices.

Finally . . .

Be warned . . . .

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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.