It’s always impressive [as well as irritating] to see the art of queue-jumping demonstrated with panache. A woman in the Post Office this morning ignored the number system and simply presented herself at the counter. To show he knew what she was doing, the counter clerk pointedly asked what number she had; but when she just waived away this footling enquiry, he promptly went for her parcel. The Spanish love nothing more than a good, vociferous argument but I suspect actual confrontations rank as ‘ignoble’.

Things can be very local in Spain. Even public holidays. When I got to my local supermarket this morning, I found it closed as it’s the feast day of St Juan, the patron saint of the township on this side of the river. Happily, everything in Pontevedra was open as usual. It could have been worse; I believe Barcelona is closed down for 4 days. San Juan is obviously big in Catalunia.

The votes cast by emigrants in the Galician elections have yet to be finally counted. Meanwhile, numerous rumours and accusations are drifting on the ether. It may yet be that the outcome will be determined – doubtless amidst much controversy - by the application of the arcane d’Hont rules. Mr Fraga has confirmed that, whatever happens, he will stay on as leader of his party until he’s at least 87. God permitting. This must thrill his Madrid superiors.

One of our local parishes is petitioning for the replacement of their priest. The final straw appears to have been his starting a Nuptial Mass without the bride. And this from a man who’s [presumably] never lived with a woman. Imagine how impatient he’d be if he’d ever been married.

Quote of the day

Nothing in life matters very much and most things don't matter at all

Arthur Balfour, British Prime Minister and statesman of the late 19th century.