Awake, for morning in the bowl of night has flung the stone that puts the stars to flight.
And, lo, 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

As I’ve said, the Ceuta authorities have their work cut out. It’s now reported that10,000 of the 70-80,000 who crossed the border are still there and causing civil order problems. Those who were cleared from a beach have returned there, rather than report for processing.

Naturally, the Spanish right wing parties and media are having a field day, even accusing the PM – Trump style – of being a traitor. Interestingly, a Ceuta woman has commented that the endless criticism from them about how well asylum seekers are treated by the Spanish government was a factor behind the desire of folk to cross into Ceuta. Given the number of young men ‘camping on beaches and roaming the streets’ it’s not surprising that there’s ‘a sense of insecurity in Ceuta, especially in view of the ten-fold increase in reports to police of offences suffered.

Noémi in Barcelona tells us here about the bizarre Tomatina festival in Buñol.

Here in Pv city, I can only recall one other August week in 26 years as miserably wet as this one is turning out to be. When my daughters were on holiday here with friends. But at least the Atlantic Blanket has lifted this evening.

France

Brittany seems to have the same problem as Galicia and Asturias – the heat is driving capital-dwellers to cooler northern climes. Where they’re not welcome. So, I wonder what the Breton equivalent is for fodechinchos (‘fish-stealers’ in Galician).

The Middle East War

The latest update from Naked Capitalism. Bessant flailing.

The United States of Trump America

The estimable Kurt Andersen talks here about his new novel, set in the USA of 2045. And about which fictional character Ms Harp most reminds hm of.

One good thing about Trump is that he is genuinely ignorant, stupid and evil. None of it is a masquerade. In anything resembling a democracy, he would be sure to eventually lose power. As wotsisname did in in Hungary and as Trump is doing now. Someone once said that The evil that a man does lives on but the good is interred with his bones. And Trump’ evils will surely endure for some time. Not just for the USA. As for his good, one thing’s certain . . . It won’t take up much space in his coffin. And it won’t weigh much in any celestial balance. He’s Hellbound for sure..

Relevant Books

To be published in October. Can be pre-ordered now: Wtf America?!: The Way Out of This Hell and Back to Democracy. See Amazon or here. [I believe there should be a comma after Wtf . . .]

The final pages of Kurt Andersen’s fascinating run through the USA’s history – Fantasyland: How America went haywire. A 500 year history.

Spanish

• Cabaña: Cabin. But also ‘herd’.
• Sofocar: To put out (a fire)
• Chupete: (Baby’s) dummy

English

Binky/binkie: US. 1. Pacifier(= dummy). 2. A stuffed animal, pillow, blanket, or toy that a small child is more attached to than any other, and often sleeps with. [So, Ms. Harp is referred to by some as Trump’s binky]

Did You Know

In the latest edition of his estimable Business Over Tapas, Lenox Napier tells us of a claim that there are 2m Spaniards who believe the world is flat. These folk – 10% of the population – are known, says Lenox, as terraplanistas or ‘flat-earthers’. Logically enough.  

Finally . . .You Have to Laugh

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 X at Thoughts from Galicia. And on Substack here. 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. And this, on the annual costs of owning property here.