Last week I was going to advise how in Spain you could be almost killed by the same driver twice in less than a minute. But, under my new Minimise Negativity policy, I thought it best to spike the item. Well, it happened again today and so I’ve decided to suspend the new policy. It’s possible to face death twice in quick succession when you’re using the zebra crossings on parallel roads near a roundabout [circle] and an imbecile turns and goes back the way he came. A sort of macabre paso doble. Without the music. And the girl.

So, while I’m in this mood – The opening of Madrid’s terminal yesterday was a chaotic farce. 40% of flights were delayed or cancelled; the shuttle buses were conspicuous by their absence; hundreds of passengers missed their flights because they couldn’t check in; and the escalators didn’t work. The relevant minister said these were just little teething problems and offered a very Spanish solution – ‘Arrive earlier than you would normally’. Like a day or two, perhaps.

And ….. The government has said it will introduce tough measures to counter the various frauds being committed by all the ADSL operators. Apart from making false claims re prices, these specialise in sending you bills for a line you haven’t requested, usually after a call from a telemarketer. Contracting for phone lines is Spain is one for the few things you can do verbally and without copies of your identity card and parents’ birth certificates. If this isn’t an invitation to abuse in a country not famous for commercial integrity, God knows what is.

But to be more positive . . . Prospect Magazine also advises that, apart from reducing gas emissions in the last 5 years, the USA has made ‘astonishing progress’ over the last 30 years in reducing air pollutants, toxic emissions and sulphur dioxide and airborne lead levels. All this despite economic growth of 150%. A wicked place, the USA.