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'
NOTE: Info on Galicia here. Detailed info on Pontevedra coming soon.
Covid
The UK:
1. The pandemic over in Britain, say experts. The vaccine rollout has led to drop in symptomatic infections by up to 90%, data show, leaving virus at controllable ‘endemic’ levels. So . . . what next?
2. Meanwhile, there’s confusion about whether people will be able to travel to, inter alia, Spain this summer. This is because the Ministry of Health and the Foreign Office take differing views and: Most tour operators will refuse to run holidays in countries to which the Foreign Office does not advise travel. Disregarding FO advice also invalidates most travel insurance policies. A mess, then.
Cosas de España
You don't have to be in Spain long to realise the attitude to the risk/benefit equation is different here from, say, Northern Europe. That said, things are inevitably moving towards the French/EU obsession with precaution and the UK’s health and safety. But we still have people with no seat belts, no helmets, and no car insurance, for example. And lots of drivers on their phones. And the police still seem unwilling to enforce laws about idiots on bikes or scooters on the pavements. But, overall, I still prefer the more pragmatic, common-sense Spanish approach. Except when I have to drive at 20km on a country road with no houses and little traffic on them.
Talking of people on bikes . . . This put me in mind of my walk into and out of town, across a bike path along the riverside:-
Here's the Guardian on the celebrity of the week - Florentino Pérez. Who's been forced to realise this week that Spain is different and that things are not done in other countries the way they are here. Which has very much suited him to date.
Spanish wine for under nine.
Cousas de Galiza
Here comes that ‘perpetual rain' myth once again . . . Galicia Noir. You heard it here a hunred times: The rain falls mostly in winter. Or perhaps in spring. And occasionally in summer. But don’t tell anyone, please.
María's Level Ground: Day 20. I get the same question from young Spanish visitors.
The UK
Britain could make millions from cannabis oil as ministers consider ditching EU laws. Well, someone has to/is already doing so.
The Way of the World
A product of which pre-launch consumer research was the worst ever seen for a proposed new product has made its inventor a billionaire. It's the energy drink Red Bull, which I've never drunk and about which I know nothing virtually nothing, as I've only read the first line of this.
English
'Plans going forward' . . . Which 2 words in this phrase would you say are redundant? And what would be the opposite of 'plans going forward'?
Finally . . .
To my surprise, the internet confirmed I can hasten the blooming of some flowers by using a hair-dryer on them, albeit gently. Now I just need to get a hair-dryer. Where are my daughters when I need them?