Spanish life is not always likeable but it is
compellingly loveable.
-
Christopher
Howse: A
Pilgrim in Spain.
Cataluña
- Here's news of developments in a major case of corruption there. Not much different from any other part of Spain in this respect, of course. Except, perhaps, that it's small beer. Laughably small in the case of Andalucia,
Spain
- Here and here is the latest news on the Rajoy-Puigdemont stand-off. Pretty predictable. And unpromising.
- It's not only Fart who's cheesed off with the Mexicans, it's reported.
- Yesterday, it seems, was Blue Monday. When we're all supposed to feel more depressed than on any other day of the year. Perhaps because I know quite a bit about real depression, it passed me by. And I found myself agreeing with this article this morning.
- We may be only 16 days into 2018 but here's The Local's 7th list of the year. This time on reasons to be happy you live in Spain.
Portugal
- It seems to be a feature of Portuguese towns and cities that solitary men above, say, 40 stand/sit around the centre doing nothing but chewing the cud and gazing at passers-by. Where are these lonely men in other cities around the world?
The EU
- There's been a meeting of the Med members of the EU to discuss matters of common interest. The nations involved are Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Italy, Malta, Portugal and France. They're all worried about the reduction in subsidies after a Brexit. So there was naturally a lot of talk about solidarity. This, of course, is EU-speak for 'other peoples' money'. I couldn't help noticing that, with the possible exception of France, the word 'corruption' springs to mind in every case.
Spanish and English
- Here's another short-long comparison: English: The slip road. Three syllables. Spanish: La carril de incorporación. Ten syllables. No wonder Spanish speakers talk fast.
- By the way, as I was approaching one large roundabout on the way out of Oporto yesterday, the Spanish voice on my satnav barked out instructions not 3 but 5 times in rapid succession. Grrrr.
Social Media
- News of a potenially useful app, at least for university students.
- The most dangerous stretch of motorway driving in Spain turns out to be on the A55 between Vigo and Porriño. This is a 60-80kph section which snakes up/down hill through several sharp bends. Worried about the accident statistics, the Galician Xunta a few years ago constructed a spur of the A9 which goes across the top of the hils and so bypasses this invitation to incidents. As you drive through one of the bends on the A55, you can see it above you on the skyline - totally empty. This is because it's a pretty expensive toll road. Possibly useful if you want to bear right to go to Bayona on the coast but not essential for getting to Porriño. Nor, indeed, Tui, Ourense, Madrid or Portugal. This is all a prelude to me saying that I've read that - facing up to the reality of their stupidity - the Xunta is now planning a tunnel. Presumably to be paid for by Madrid. Or maybe Brussels. I wonder if they've considered the possibly cheaper option of lifting the toll fee.
Finally
- Driving into Oporto on Friday evening, I entered the right hand lane of a major road ahead of turning right. The cars in the left hand lane moved rapidly past me while those in mine were virtually stationery. I assumed there was a filter light which only worked briefly. But, after several frustrating minutes, I realised I was in the queue for a bloody MacDonalds drive-through. On a main road! Where are the Spanish traffic police when you really need them?
Today's Cartoon
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