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
Ceuta
- As predicted, Spain’s Interior Ministry said on Thursday it would send additional personnel to help identify migrants, while the government approved 25 million euros in additional funding to help care for unaccompanied minors, who are entitled to special legal protections.
- As expected . . . The crisis has also intensified Spain’s political divisions ahead of a general election expected next year, with conservative and far-right opposition parties calling for the return of all migrants. But the government has warned that each person must be identified to determine whether they are entitled to asylum or subject to deportation. “While thousands of minors require special protection, we have to do it respecting the law.”
I’ve mentioned more than once how confusing it is for drivers to have a flashing amber light when pedestrians have a green one, causing more than one near-accident in my case. So, I was pleased to read that, as of 1 October – and not before time – there will be a ban on flashing amber lights that coincide with a green light for walkers at the same crossing. But the official state bulletin has shut down widespread social media rumours claiming that the DGT was planning to eliminate flashing amber lights entirely.
Sad news re a cold gold heist down South.
Bad ‘good news’ . . . .The president of the Association of Friends of the Portuguese Camino gave a “very positive” assessment of the summer season – especially August, which exceeded expectations. But the increase in pilgrims led to some days when there were no beds available anywhere in Pv city, forcing many to sleep outdoors. In the face of forecasts of continued significant growth in numbers, the president commented: “We want to return a little more to the respect that is being lost, affecting many residents”. Fat chance, I suspect.
The United States of Trump America
More delusional than ever:-
- Trump erupted on NYT reporter Maggie Haberman on social media yesterday, calling her a “stalker” and – can you believe? – demanding that she surrender money earned from reporting about him.
- In the last 24 hours, Trump has shared on Truth Social a chart declaring he is the greatest president, above George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Woodrow Wilson; posted an AI-generated image of himself walking arm-in-arm with Dolly Parton; again declared the Strait of Hormuz ‘U.S. territory’; and announced that the U.S. Geological Survey has officially designated the former Lake Ontario to be renamed as Lake America. He is, as the kids say today, ‘crashing out’ — raging, fuming, lashing out, flitting from one concern to the next, frustrated that so many of his efforts have come to naught. Couldn’t be happening to a nicer guy.
Laurence O’Donnell here on Trump’s duplicitous madness.
Jen Psaki shames America’s tycoons, as their ’embarrassing’ groveling to Trump ages like milk.
Relevant Books
- To be published in October. Can be pre-ordered now: Wtf America?!: The Way Out of This Hell and Back to Democracy. On Amazon or here.
- The final pages of Kurt Andersen’s fascinating run through the USA’s history – Fantasyland: How America went haywire. A 500 year history.
Spanish
- Cruz: Cross. Burden. Downside.
- Arrojar: To throw, throw up. To show.
- Plusmarca: Record achievement.
Did you know?
The Hogan’s Heroes Actors Who Fled Hitler, Fought Nazis, and Survived the Holocaust.
You Have to Laugh
Finally . . .
As expected, readership levels have returned to normal. Perhaps it really was the word ‘sex’, after all. In which case . . .
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 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.
Thoughts from Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain 