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

The Voz de Galicia this morning: A horrible week: Spanish rail transport is experiencing its worst week of the year following a series of accidents that began with the derailment and collision of 2 trains in Adamuz, where 43 people died, and continued with the commuter rail accident in Cataluña, where a trainee driver was killed. Both incidents have generated a strong sense of insecurity. The deaths of the train drivers has led to a planned strike by train drivers in February, demanding greater safety and infrastructure maintenance. The continuous alerts issued in recent days have resulted in constant changes to speed limits, especially on the Madrid-Barcelona line. The hypothesis of track failure in Adamuz is gaining traction.

The total of 43 will surely rise. Possibly to double that, as there are 45 people still unaccounted for.

Funeral plans big thing in Spain. They aren’t cheap but might make sense if you can’t speak Spanish and/or don’t want to have to deal with the rigorous law re burial/cremation within 24 hours. Expats face regular ads on YouTube which pluck at your brain strings but here’s news of one company whose (over)statements should have been ignored.

A reminder . . . The legal requirements for driving in Spain.

Talking of vehicles . . . As of this month, several obligations have been imposed on riders of e-scooter and e-bikes. But things aren’t entirely clear, as introduction seems to be phased and might well be different from region to region. What I’d like to know is when the police are going to routinely deal with electrified folk weaving rapidly through pedestrianised areas.

Just in case you’re in the area . . . An upcoming national event here in Pv city. . . . The Premios Feroz is Spain’s prominent film and television awards. The 2026 gala is scheduled for Saturday, marking the second consecutive year Pv city hosts this event. Preliminary events in November included free film screenings and feminist-themed talks in the Teatro Principal, with nominee announcements on November 27. On gala day, invited guests will enjoy guided tours of historic sites starting at 12:00. I might try to crash that but don’t expect to learn anything new. Last year’s event.

Tarted-up folk attending the ceremony on Saturday night might well have to contend with high winds and lashing rain en route to the venue. It’s been a bad January so far and another (4-day) storm is about to hit us. Hurricane winds at sea will mean fewer shellfish as the dinner. Maybe.

Europe v The USA

Just in case . . . I’ve published 3 separate posts on Trump’s antics in Davros and their consequences in the last 24 hours. Here, here and here.

This columnist is less than impressed by how the Democrats are responding to Trump so far.

Quote of the Day

We live in weird times.

Russia

A good podcast and related book: How the West lost Russia – From Yeltsin to Putin, the Story of a Vengeful Kremlin.

Spanish

• Muesca: Notch, groove, indentation.
• Mojarse: Lit: To get wet. Fig. To get involved, interfere, stick your nose in.
• Solo ante el peligro: Alone facing danger. The film High Noon.

English

Possibly Trump’s greatest achievement – of hundreds – is to make the phrase ‘big, beautiful’ mean, at best, nothing at all or, at worst, the opposite of what it seems to mean. And then there’s ‘concept’, ‘framework’ and ‘plan’. Generations from now, folk will laugh themselves silly if a politician is foolish enough to announce “I have a big, beautiful concept of the framework of a plan”. Which could, of course, be shortened to “I just did a trump”.

Finally . . . You Have to Laugh

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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 there.

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