There's
a terrific BBC Radio 4 program called More or Less. Several
times a week it debunks statistics appearing in the media. Such as
claims that left-handers live 9 years fewer than right-handers. And
that global warming caused 20m people to emigrate in 2008 and that 200m will do so by 2050. These claims were used, unquestioningly,
by the usual suspects and defended by their creator on the basis that
'Science is never 100% accurate' and 'It's better to be roughly right
than precisely wrong.' He later conceded his numbers were 'iffy'. British understatement at its best.
Reflecting
on the fact Xmas flights cost so much more than usual, the question
struck me last night - If they know your DoB, does the computer
automatically up the price for you on the same logic - viz. that you
want/have to fly on that date. If not, they surely will soon.
All
the streets around Pontevedra's town hall are up. It's as if the
councillors need to see they're doing something useful. Which is
debatable. In one of these streets, the slabs have been raised and
re-laid 3 times in 6 years. Why? Presumably because they can be.
Here's a pic of this blessed thoroughfare.
We
are now in our 3rd - possibly even 4th - week of Mediterranean
weather of clear blue skies and constant sun, followed by cold
nights. Of Galicia's famed rain, we've seen none at all during this
period. Global Warming? Maybe but it's had one odd effect. The bars
and cafés around the main square which would normally be packed at
this time of year are empty and those which have an outside terrace are doing a
roaring trade, especially those which get the last of the afternoon
sun. So much so that we've seen the appearance of an unknown
phenomenon - winter musicians. Gentlemen who've normally disappeared
well before now. Plus all the usual beggarly rag-bag, of course. So it's not all good news.
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