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

Several far right organisations – including the Vox party – have appealed against the regularisation of immigrants. The Supreme Court will next week consider whether it should be halted as, I guess, being unconstitutional.

In respect of a major corruption case currently before the courts, an editorial in the Voz de Galicia today suggested that the trial demonstrates the strength of the Rule of Law where there is a failure of preventative measures against abuse. Which has to be right. But sad.

Brits continue to lose their pre-eminence as regards the purchase of Spanish properties, with the Dutch rising in importance and (US)Americas coming up on the rails. Particularly, it seems, here in Galicia. I assume the Camino has something to do with this. And the cooler weather, of course.

As everyone knows, Christopher Columbus (Cristóbel Colón) was born in Poio. There were to be local celebrations on O Día de Colón today and tomorrow but these have been postponed for 2 weeks because of the cold and rain which is predicted. I’m not sure CC would have been impressed by such a nesh response to a change in the weather.

I continue to be disenchanted by notaries. After the signing of the poder 2 days ago, I was told I couldn’t take it away and would have to come back the next day to collect it. I deliberately delayed until today but was told it wasn’t ready, as the notary hadn’t taken a second or two to put his signature next to mine. I was offered the chance to wait but declined and asked them to call me when it’s ready. Which will probably be some time next week. I was presented with the bill, which was as high as I’d expected (for a minimal amount of work), but I said I’d pay this when I picked up the document. I might take a rifle.

A street in Pv’s old quarter has seen many closures over the years but 2 which have survived are dedicated to, shall we say, the conservative older woman. Perhaps they dislike the brash shops of the shopping precinct in the new quarter. Or simply aren’t catered for there. The shops actually face each other in the narrow street:-

Europe

Brussels has admitted that the EU fishing policy has been a failure. While stocks in shallow areas haven’t improved, profitability in the industry has significantly fallen and led to large scale job losses. It was possibly formulated by a committee.

Unemployment rates by counry. Lowest in Russia?

The Middle East War

The latest update from Naked Capitalism.

The United States of Trump America

You couldn’t make it up. Classic Trump, in just the last 24 hours, as inspiringly diplomatic and presidential as ever:-

• Iran’s leaders are lunatics.
• Everyone loves the ballroom. It’s extremely popular.
• She’s a bitch for asking about the ballroom
• I’m concentrating on the ballroom because beauty and cleanliness are what made America great.
• The Iranians want a deal more than I do.
• The ceasefire hasn’t ended despite the exchange of fire.
• The retaliatory strikes on Iran were just a love tap*.
• If the Iranians don’t accept my deal, there’s be a huge glow coming from Iran.

*Love tap: A colloquial English term for a gentle, playful punch, pat, or touch meant affectionately rather than to cause harm. But might just destroy ships and the people in them. Affectionately, of course. Codicil:  Culturally, it’s positive but can be misinterpreted if the recipient doesn’t welcome the contact.

Commentaries

The Melania comparison that Trump won’t like Podcast Video

Trump and his team try (and fail) to defend the escalating cost of the ballroom project. [Click on the video to learn of construction awards that smell].

The latest Last Word from Lawrence O’Donnell – on ‘stunning defeats’ for Trump, falling into traps set by himself because of his total ignorance of what he was getting into.

The NY Times on the degree of Trump’s corruption.

Spanish

• Catenaria: Overhead power cable
• Amaño: Rigging. Match fixing.
• Burnout: Burnout. A concept that possibly didn’t exist in Spain until the 21st century.

English

Athleisure: A style of clothing that is comfortable and suitable for exercising but also fashionable enough to be worn for everyday activities. It combines elements of athletic wear and leisure clothing, making it versatile for various occasions. Fashionable dressing down, I guess.

Did you know?

Matthew Prior

It is remarkable that they
Talk most who have the least to say.

Francis Bacon: He that talketh what he knoweth, will also talk what he knoweth not.

TBH: I’m not convinced this is always the case. . . .

You Have to Laugh

Finally . . .

I’m now getting the bloody tai chi ads in Spanish as well as in English . . .

My thanks to those readers who take the trouble to Like my posts.

The Usual Links . . .

The US commentators I follow, all on Podbean and/or YouTube for free:-

• The Daily Beast Podcast/Video
• Inside Trump’s Head Podcast/Video
• The Daily Blast with Greg Sargent Podcast
• The Rest is Politics US Podcast/Video
• The DSR Network Podcast
• The Politics Girl Video. Amusing
• The Daily Show Video. Very amusing

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 X at Thoughts from Galicia. I no longer post 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 there.

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

My thanks to those readers who take the trouble to Like my posts.

The Usual Links . . .

The US commentators I follow, all on Podbean and/or YouTube for free:-

• The Daily Beast Podcast/Video
• Inside Trump’s Head Podcast/Video
• The Daily Blast with Greg Sargent Podcast
• The Rest is Politics US Podcast/Video
• The DSR Network Podcast
• The Politics Girl Video. Amusing
• The Daily Show Video. Very amusing

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 X at Thoughts from Galicia. I no longer post 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 there.

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