El Pais is dismissive of what it calls the ‘ludicrous’ claim in yesterday’s El Mundo about the evidence-laden backpack not initially recorded as being on one of the trains blown up in March 2004. ‘It’s only too easy’ it stressed ‘to imagine any number of simple errors which could have led to discrepancies in the recording of witness statements’. Unfortunately, this is only too true. But I guess the police are never going to say ‘We weren’t being criminal, just as inefficient as ever’.

In contrast to the snow and ice of the UK, we’re experiencing temperatures in the 20s. These have naturally allowed the women of Pontevedra to give us a hint of the likely fashion for the real summer. This turns out to be skimpy tops, plenty of bare midriff and tight jeans. So, much the same as last year/decade. Except the jeans are knee length and finished off with either stiletto-heeled boots or long socks with flat shoes. God knows what it would take to get a young Spanish woman into loose trousers. Certainly not the allegedly tyrannical fashion industry. As I always say at this point, this is not a criticism; just an observation.

I received an odd bit of spam today. It purported to be from a woman seeking an au pair job in Madrid but I have my suspicions. An extract from her CV:-
Mother tongue?
- Portugues
How good is your English
- Good
Do you speak any other language?
- Spain (Fair)

Quotes of the Day

There is no opinion, however absurd, which men will not readily embrace as soon as they can be brought to the conviction that it is generally adopted.
Schopenhauer, quoted by the writer of an article on the superstitious beliefs about climate change.

As France shrinks further into its protectionist shell and declines to address issues key to it long-term future, the question arises – Is the country actually governable?
Me, after reading about the student riots against measures aimed at increasing their employment prospects.