Night’s candles are burnt out, and jocund day stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops.
Spanish life is not always likeable but it is compellingly loveable.
- Christopher Howse: 'A Pilgrim in Spain'
Cosas de España
The hit on the economy gets personal for Don Quijones of Wolfstreet here.
I've long wondered why empty, boarded up - and, so, ugly - retail outlets at ground-floor level of (relatively) attractive flat blocks aren't fitted out as homes, so it's good to read this might now be happening, At least in Barcelona.
There are thought to be 2,200-2,700 Iberian wolves in Spain, mostly up here in the North West. There's a ban on hunting them down where they're few in number, but not up here. This is about to change, as the government is proposing nationwide proscription. Almost inevitably, this is opposed by the governments of Galicia, Castilla y León, Asturias and Cantabria. More on this here.
If you're new to Spain, these translations might be useful to you, on the subject of Spanish time-keeping:
Estoy a punto de irme: Lierally: I'm about to leave. Actual meaning: I should be ready to leave in 15-30 minutes
Estoy llegando: Literally: I'm arriving, Actual meaning: Although, I'm already 15-30 minutes late by your standards, I'm just leaving my place for our agreed meeting place
Estoy subiendo: Literally: I'm coming up. Ditto, in respect of a get-together at your place. Or at least mine, on top of a hill.
Cousas de Galiza
Because the pressure on hospitals has now eased, as of today we'll be allowed to travel outside Pontevedra's health area. To Vigo or Santiago de Compostela for example. Time for a short camino? And will this freedom last until Semana Santa, so that some of us can enjoy a road trip up into our beautiful Ribeira Sagra/Ribera Sagrada. Or to Os Ancares.
The first fly of the year was swatted today. I like to look on this as giving someone the chance of re-incarnation.
Maria's Tsunami: Days 34&35. Aa bit more on our old stones.
The USA
This column probably reflects the majority British view of that interview, though it's accepted in the UK that things will be seen very differently in the USA, where the British stereotypical image will be strengthened. But nothing can stop that. Anyway, a wonderful last paragraph.
The Way of the World
A friend of my younger daughter has sent me this, with the comment: They could have ironed it:-
He's a comedian in his spare time as a teacher. But I doubt he'll be using this line on stage tonight.
Finally
Lenox Napier ruminates here on the aftermath of death. Maybe, when he eventually has an answer to his questions, he could do us all the favour of letting us know what they are . .