The army’s No. 2 has put his foot in it by suggesting that, if things go too far with the revision of the constitutional arrangements between Catalunia and the Spanish state, the military forces will have to look to their legal obligation to defend the interests of the state. In a country where there’s, understandably, a high degree of sensitivity to political pronouncements by military personnel, his demotion is inevitable. The Left have virtually accused him of plotting a coup d’etat, though the Right have said he’s merely voicing understandable concerns, widespread amongst the public. Whatever, it seems likely that he’ll now have to de-scabbard his ceremonial sword and fall on it.

In one of those typically parochial headlines which are the fruit of Spain’s intense regionalism, we read that the country’s second largest lottery [El Niño] had ‘ignored Galicia’ and bestowed its bounty on Murcia. What about the other 15 Autonomous Communities, then?

Domestic murders – or ‘gender violence’ as it’s called – are a regular media item here. The good news is that 2005’s total fell to 62, from 72 in 2004. But this year has started badly, with 5 murders in the first 5 days - 4 women and 1 man. In truth, the Spanish rate is no worse than many European countries but the current government is the first to take any real action against it, including special courts around the country. So the hope must be this is a statistical blip. Though this is no consolation for the poor victims and their relatives.

I can finally report I’ve found a small Non Smoking café/bar in Pontevedra. In other words, one where the owner could choose the status and elected for clear air. Strangely, though, this is a place which has always been rather empty when I’ve walked past. So I suspect the owner’s decision is actually a last-ditch commercial strategy. Time will surely tell and I, for one, certainly hope its fortunes are now reversed, however cynical the motivation.