Demonstrating in the streets is very much a Spanish thing and there are several gatherings planned around the country this weekend, most of them against the government’s decision to accede to the demands of the hunger-striking ETA prisoner, De Juana Chaos. Meanwhile, as I expected, President Zapatero has shifted his rationale from ‘humanitarian reasons’ to a desire to deprive ETA of a martyr and to avoid turning the Spanish government into a recruiting sergeant for Basque terrorists. Not something that over-worried Mrs Thatcher in the 80s, of course. Interestingly, I read somewhere recently it was this stance that convinced the IRA they’d never achieve a military victory and would have to rely on negotiations to break the impasse. Perhaps President Z thinks his leniency will have a similar result, though few seem to share his confidence.

Matters Moroccan loom large in Spanish politics. For example, this week the Spanish Prosecutor General authorised a senior judge to investigate a claim of genocide by members of the Moroccan government. You’d have thought, though, he could have waited until President Z got back from a state visit there. Must have made for an uncomfortable final dinner.

I forgot to say yesterday that – after the discussion on whether Spanish women were being degraded by beauty shows – the key question put to me by the 5 females was – Did I find Spanish women more attractive than British women. . . As if there was more than one answer.

El Mundo’s Sunday magazine seems to be the natural home for full-page ads of dubious morality. A couple of weeks ago it was a miracle slimming pill. This week it was an amazing cream which would “Rapidly increase the size, volume and firmness of your breast without medication or surgical intervention. And without making the rest of you fat”. Needless to say:- 1. there’s nil evidence for these extravagant claims; 2. no details are given of the composition; 3. the number you have to call is premium rate; and 4. the company selling the product [the Star-Bust-System] is based in Andalucia, a region whose government is famous for it financial rectitude. Of course, there are glowing testimonials from Eva, Erika, Leticia, Cristina, Maria, Juana and the mysterious ‘JC’. Enough, surely, to put any sceptic’s mind at rest.

On a morning when I received a record number of overnight spam messages [67], I was pleased to read some chap in the UK has won 2,000 euros compensation from a company which illegally used his address. And he’s set up this web site for those who want to take similar action. All strength to his elbow.