Well, the rural barons of Galicia’s PP party wasted no time in coming out of the long grass to flatly reject Miguel Fraga’s plea for an harmonious transition of power from him to some unidentified heir apparent at an undetermined point in the future. So the scene is set for internecine fun and games. Mr Rajoy must be thrilled.

September is exam time for all those Spanish students [the majority] who need to take re-sits. Accordingly, the libraries of Galicia have announced new hours, designed to afford them time for last-minute swotting. In Santiago university these will be from 9am to 2pm and then from 3.30pm to – would you believe – 3.30am. I suppose this still allows ample time for enjoying the afternoon sun on the local beaches. And, with luck, some post-prandial sleep.

Fernando has kindly provided a number of web sites which describe the battle of 1800 between British troops and the local populace in and around Ferrol. The Spanish sources tell of a complete rout of invading forces. This is rather supported – albeit indirectly - by British accounts, which record the capture of the heights of Brion and Balon overlooking Ferrol but gloss over the failure to take the city itself.

Good to see that [rising] Spanish has replaced German as the second most favoured foreign language option for British A Level students, after [falling] French.

Quote of the Day

We don't call it the euro any more. We call it the teuro, from the German word for expensive
A trader in Vienna's antiques market, commenting on recent inflation in Euroland.