In the UK, the first choices of those who want their own business are mobile hairdressing and window-cleaning. Strangely, neither of these seem to exist in Spain. This surely says something significant about the different cultures, though I’ve no idea what. Perhaps it’s just a reflection of the fact most Spaniards live in flats in cities and have at least a cleaner, if not a full-time maid. They can walk to the nearby hairdresser and don’t need to have their windows ‘professionally’ cleaned. Likewise, there’s no place for newspaper delivery. Except up here on the hillside, where there are no shops. But still no newspaper delivery.

Even after 5 years, the Spanish timetable continues to cause wonder at times. One of the members of the English Speaking Society of Pontevedra is a lawyer, with her own office in the centre of town. Having acquired an English boyfriend, she’s decided to get some formal lessons and was last night complaining that this would mean she’d have to get up at 8.30. ‘What time do you normally get up?’ I asked. ‘About 9.30’ she replied. I assume she walks to her office for a 10 o’clock start. More or less. At the other end of the day, it’s not at all uncommon for people to still be working at 9pm, before going home for supper at 10 or even later. No wonder TV viewing peaks at 1am.

I see that the even-lovelier young sister of the lovely Letitia is walking out with that idiot Prince Albert of Monaco. Damn. Another one off the list. Letitia’s sister, I mean.

The latest wonderful bit of Spanglish I’ve stumbled on – Liftar – to loft or lob a ball.

For new readers – If you’ve arrived here because of an interest in Galicia or Pontevedra, you might find my non-commercial guides interesting – at colindavies.net