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/Galiza

Spain’s odd borders.

Almost 100 years ago, Gerald Brenan claimed – in The Labyrinth – that the Spanish were not very entrepreneurial. This is no longer true but it is a fact that the state and the Tax Office (La Hacienda) have long given self-employed folk (autónomas) a hard time, taxing them before they have any income – never mind make a profit – and forever treating them all as tax cheats. However, there’s been a recent reduction in this burden, with the flat rate for beginners being reduced for a period and then a sliding scale based on net income being introduced. On the other hand, a tax return is now required regardless of income level. So, lower charges but more bureaucracy. As you might expect, many autónomas give up not long after starting out on a business career.

BTW: It is, of course, true that some large companies try to get away with treating their employees . e.g. food deliverers – as self-employed when they aren’t. These are a legitimate target of the Hacienda. But the little folk are the low-hanging fruit.

The wild boar season has begun in Galicia, where you can now hunt them without restrictions/limits in most areas. They say that, if an adult of either sex takes exception to this and heads for you, it’s best to climb a tree.

Well, they certainly got that one right. The rain forecast several days ago duly arrived last night and will be with us for a while. But at least it’s not the Atlantic Blanket and I could see the city from my eyrie at 6 this morning. But, as expected, most traders didn’t turn up for the weekly flea market in the old quarter. So, I went to see what was on in the museum instead.

ALICE IN MAGAWORLD

Katherine Leavitt has outdone herself with a claim that the Democrats mainly comprise Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals. Does she really believe this nonsense? Or is she bent on making millions by doing whatever her insane boss orders her to do in his attempt to justify the use of the military on all US streets and to ‘postpone’ the mid-term elections?

Jared Kushner’s ‘enormous conflict of interest’.

Trump’s anti-immigrant crusade . . .

Given his comments to date, I wonder if Vice President J D Vance would go along with these statement re the role of women in society:-

• 1. We do not consider it correct for the woman to interfere in the world of the man, in his main sphere. We consider it natural if these two worlds remain distinct. To the one belongs the strength of feeling, the strength of the soul. To the other belongs the strength of vision, of toughness, of decision, and of the willingness to act.
• 2. The mission of the woman is to be beautiful and to bring children into the world. . . The female bird pretties herself for her mate and hatches the eggs for him. In exchange, the mate takes care of gathering the food, and stands guard and wards off the enemy.

1. AH. 2. JG. Teutons both.

Gaza: Does any individual in the world really know the full history of this part of the world? Anyway, this is the latest episode of the Empire podcast. Faced, in 1936, with a violent Arab revolt over high levels of Jewish immigration – from Germany in particular – the British proposed partition. But they were told by the League of Nations that this wasn’t acceptable and that they should fulfil their mandate by responding with greater repression. With which instruction they certainly obliged. Which didn’t turn out at all well, of course.

So, the proposal of a two-state solution is nigh on a century old . . . . It’s hour must surely come some time.

Spanish

• Un after: Nightclub (after dinner and drinks)
• Dar la lata: To nag
• Peinar cañas: To grow old, get on (in age). Lit. To comb canes/reeds (=grey streaks)
• Jabali. Wild boar.

Galician

• Xabaril: Wild boar.
• I’ve mentioned that Rúa Pechada mean ‘Road Closed’. I now know that pechar comes from Vulgar Latin pesclum, itself from pessulus, meaning ‘bolt/bar’ used to secure a door. The Spanish word cerrar, however, comes from the Latin serrare (To bolt/lock). This difference is said to reflect more Vulgar Latin in the West of Iberia than in the East.

Did you know?

The (relatively minor) expansion of wolf packs has provoked fierce debates over livestock and public safety in Denmark, one of Europe’s most intensively farmed countries.

You Have to Laugh

Finally . . .

Some nice aphorisms from Austin O’Malley’s 1914 book: Keystones of Thought:-

• Revenge is often like biting a dog because the dog bit you.
• Education is only a ladder to gather fruit from the tree of knowledge, not the fruit itself.
• Humility is the sister of humour.
• Think what you have to say, and then don’t say it.
• People who believe only what they understand can write their creed on a postage-stamp.
• A fallen lighthouse is more dangerous than a reef.
• The best blood will at some time get into a fool or a mosquito.
• Comedy smiles from a neutral intellect; humour laughs from a favouring intellect.
• An essential quality of beauty is aloofness.
• The picturesque is the romantic seen.
• The worst miser is the learned man that will not write.
• To laugh at yourself is real life, never acting.
• Put your purse in your head and you will not be robbed.
• A critic at best is only a football coach.
• A gentleman seldom meets rude persons.
• It is yesterday that makes to-morrow so sad.

And: A little learning striving to explain a great subject is like an attempt to light up a cathedral with a single taper, which does no more than to show for an instant one foolish face.

Finally . . . Finally

An article that’s accurate enough to amuse me . . . Two nations separated by a common language . . .

British ‘compliments’.

We Brits have a way with words, and sometimes we deliver insults so subtly that they can sound like compliments, especially to Americans unfamiliar with the nuance. We’re probably not really trying to offend, but even if we were, our inherent passive-aggressiveness prevents us from being overtly rude. That’s okay, though — we still get the message across and make a little dig, just in a more subtle way. Here are some classic British jabs that might leave Americans saying “thank you” without realising they’ve been roasted.

• 1. “Oh, bless.”: Brits use “bless” in a way that’s deceptively sweet, but it often carries a tone of subtle condescension. It’s typically deployed when someone’s effort or behaviour is endearingly naïve or slightly pitiful. For instance, “Oh, bless, they tried their best.” The tone makes all the difference here. While it might sound kind to an outsider, it’s usually a polite way of acknowledging someone’s struggle or failure without being outright rude. It’s the ultimate British way of saying, “Nice try, but no.”
• 2. “You’re keen, aren’t you?”: Being called “keen” might seem like a good thing — it implies enthusiasm, right? But in the UK, it’s obviously a subtle way of saying you’re trying too hard or being a bit over-eager. Delivered with a raised eyebrow or a smirk, it’s not exactly a glowing endorsement. Brits value understated effort, and being “keen” can sometimes cross into cringeworthy territory.
• 3. “How brave.”: While Americans might interpret this as a nod to courage, we use “how brave” to deliver a masterclass in backhanded compliments. It’s often said about questionable outfit choices or bold but poorly executed ideas. The tone is everything—dripping with feigned admiration, it’s less about bravery and more about wondering why anyone would make that choice.
• 4. “That’s different.”: To the untrained ear, “that’s different” sounds neutral or even complimentary. But here, it’s a polite way of saying, “That’s odd, and I don’t like it.” It’s often used to comment on things like unusual decor or experimental cooking. Brits excel at softening our disapproval, and this phrase is a prime example. It’s the verbal equivalent of raising an eyebrow and politely smiling through discomfort.
• 5. “You’re very confident.”: Confidence is great, but when we say, “You’re very confident,” it’s often a dig at someone being overly self-assured or obnoxious. It’s a way of pointing out that they might be overstepping without directly saying so. The phrase can be especially cutting when paired with a knowing glance. It’s subtle, but the underlying meaning is clear to anyone who knows the tone.
• 6. “Good luck with that.”: In America, this might sound like genuine encouragement. In the UK, it’s often used sarcastically, implying that whatever you’re attempting is bound to fail spectacularly. It’s usually reserved for overly ambitious plans or poorly thought-out ideas. The message? You’re on your own, mate, and it’s not looking good.
• 7. “You’ve made an effort.”: On the surface, this might seem like a kind acknowledgment. But in British culture, “You’ve made an effort” often means, “You’ve tried… and failed.” It’s frequently heard in response to questionable fashion or over-the-top gestures. It’s a classic British insult: polite enough to avoid outright confrontation, but sharp enough to leave you second-guessing your choices.8. “Interesting.”: When we describe something as “interesting,” it’s rarely a compliment. It’s a diplomatic way of saying, “I don’t like this at all, but I’m too polite to tell you outright.” The vagueness is the point — it leaves the recipient wondering whether their idea, outfit, or suggestion was genuinely intriguing or quietly judged.
• 9. “Not bad.”:To an American, “not bad” might sound like understated praise. Over here, it often translates to, “It’s not good either.” It’s the most lukewarm acknowledgment possible, leaving plenty of room for implied criticism. It’s a favourite for discussing everything from performances to meals, where the message is clear: better luck next time.
• 10. “You’re full of surprises.”: While this could sound like a compliment, we often use it to describe someone unpredictable in a way that’s less endearing and more baffling. It’s a polite way of saying, “What on earth are you doing now?” When delivered with a knowing smile, it’s less about admiration and more about being bewildered by someone’s choices or behaviour.
• 11. “You’ve got character.”:To Americans, this might sound like a charming way to highlight someone’s uniqueness. For us, it’s often code for, “You’re a bit odd, but we’ll tolerate it.” It’s usually said about someone who doesn’t quite fit in. It’s a backhanded way of pointing out quirks without directly calling them out. The tone is key — it’s not entirely unkind, but definitely not glowing praise.
• 12. “That’s ambitious.”: On paper, this might seem like encouragement, but when we call something “ambitious,” we’re usually hinting that it’s unrealistic or over-the-top. It’s a subtle way of saying, “Good luck, but don’t get your hopes up.” This phrase is a favourite for commenting on overly grand plans or ideas that are doomed to flop. It’s a classic British way of tempering someone’s enthusiasm with a dose of doubt.
• 13. “Could be worse.”: What sounds like cautious optimism is actually a backhanded dig. “Could be worse” means, “It’s not great, but at least it’s not a total disaster.” It’s rarely said with much warmth. The implication is that things are far from ideal, but we’ll take what we can get. It’s a quintessentially British way of expressing dissatisfaction without getting overly dramatic.
• 14. “It’s fine.”: Brits excel at saying “fine” when we mean the exact opposite. It’s the verbal equivalent of a passive-aggressive shrug, often masking annoyance, disappointment, or indifference. To an American, “fine” might sound reassuring, but over here, it’s more like the politest way of saying, “I’m tolerating this, but barely.”

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.

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.