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

Up to 80% of new jobs in Spain may be replacement roles as the ‘baby boomer’ generation starts to retire. The challenge is clear: while Spain is still creating jobs, most new opportunities in the coming decade will not expand the workforce but replace those left empty by retirement.

I long regarded September as the best month in Spain/Galicia. Still warm/hot but with few tourists, at least in Pv city. This article explains why I’m having to question this belief. Now May or October?

María writes on the fires here. What stands out is the unpreparedness of the regional governments. And the politicking, of course.

Talking of politics . . . Spain’s age-old regional tensions have once again reared their head as historically poorer Andalucía leads a rebellion against plans to forgive the debt of wealthier Cataluña. And see here.

Cousas de Galiza

Back in 2000, Saturday’s Feira Franca (medieval fair) in Pv city consisted of one hamburger and beer stall in about 10m of one street in the old quarter. Now it takes over all the latter and much of the new quarter. A staggering success, which will involve this year 170 dining tables, 100 artisan stalls and 55 food stalls. The price at all the restaurants has risen from 25 euros a head not so long ago to 45+ this year. Big business. I’ve said a few times that enormous effort goes into this one-day event, including the erection of several old city gates and facades. Here’s one of the former.

And here’s one of the latter – new this year – hiding the eyesore of a derelict house near the market.

Just what we needed . . . Owing to a dispute with AENA, Ryanair is cutting back on the already inadequate flight options to Vigo and Santiago de Compostela.

Portugal

Oporto/Porto’s airport won’t be affected by Ryanair’s move, which is good news for the very many residents of Galicia – and all my visitors – who use it, despite it meaning a 1-2 hour drive to their destination in Galicia. Madness, born of local politics. But great for the Portuguese economy. And for the hotels near the airport. In which, I suspect, Ryanair has a shareholding, given the timing of their arrivals. But maybe the lateness of these is just a coincidence.

Europe

Talking of flying . . . These are the 10 European airports most likely to suffer travel chaos when the EES kicks in next month . . . Spain doesn’t feature in the list but airports like Malaga, Alicante and Palma de Mallorca – with their high volume of UK holiday flights – are watching the rollout closely.  . . And, while the Madrid and Barcelona airports are designed to absorb large surges of international arrivals, regional airports face a different risk. Again, I doubt there’ll be a problem at Oporto airport.

THE USA and THE MAGA REALITY TV SHOW

Trump wants the Chinese to be grateful for something that has never happened – the ‘shedding of American blood’ to help China gain victory over some unidentified invader. His message to Xi ended with Give my warmest regards to President Putin and President Kim. Fears for his mental health are not exactly receding.

On a lighter note . . . wonderful ads from the age of Art Deco. This is/was the Zonite Products Corporation.

Spanish

• Tomar el relevo de: To take over from.

Maria tells me that ‘Garden’ appeared in the English translation of the Gallego weather forecast because orto means both sunrise and vegetable garden. Huerto, in Spanish. Where I don’t think it has anything to do with the break of day.

• Huerta: A big huerto. Or vice-versa. I can never remember . . . Also ‘orchard’.

Did you know?

Updating Latin . . .

Finally . . .

In place of my elder daughter and my grandson, I now have an old friend visiting for a week. His €80 car hire turned out to cost nearer 400, once the obligatory small-print add-ons had been charged. Like leaving Portugal and the very expensive CDW insurance. Despire having the correct address, the satnav/GPS in the car sent him to a church 5 miles away, up in the hills. It was fun ‘talking him down’, as it were. At least it wasn’t to the island my street is named after, as has happened in the past.

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The Usual Links . . .

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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.