Two interesting court decisions were reported yesterday, both of which will come as a huge relief to the local/national government . . .

Firstly, the appeal court in Tenerife has reversed a lower court’s decision to suspend the imminent fiesta. The view was this question had already been decided – against the anti-noise petitioners – in 2006. So life there can now return to its raucous normal. Which is no great surprise, given the sums of money at stake.

Secondly, the Supreme Court has reduced the [additional] sentence of a hunger-striking ETA terrorist from 12 to 3 years, meaning he could be released within months. The man in question had originally been sentenced to 2,000 years in gaol, or merely 18 in practice. The additional 12 had been imposed for sending threatening letters to judges from his cell.

Just as I decide to jump on the global warming bandwagon along comes the news that “Man-made climate change may be happening at a far slower rate than has been claimed. Scientists say that cosmic rays from outer space play a far greater role in changing the Earth's climate than global warming.” Now I just don’t know who or what to blame for everything.

At 45 million, Spain’s mobile phones now outnumber its population of 40 million. As yet, though, I’ve yet to see anyone with a phone at each ear. Whether driving or just walking.

Galicia Facts

Spain’s high speed train [the AVE] is forecast to connect Galician cities with Madrid in 2013, earliest. This is fully 3 years after connections to every other region.

Thanks to poor coverage [and an ageing rural population?], 24% of Galician families can’t/don’t avail themselves of a mobile phone.

Is it any wonder Galicians feel hard done by?

In an article about accidents involving Portuguese citizens working in Galicia, I came across the useful word gallegoluso. This has joint Galician and Portuguese connotations but it’s not in the dictionaries and even Google doesn’t recognise it. As I’d hesitate to hazard a definition, perhaps Xoan Carlos or Carlos could oblige. And give an opinion on whether it really should be galegoluso.


House for Sale

Some friends of mine are selling a property in a lovely rural spot 10km outside Pontevedra. Here’s a brief description. Anyone interested can email me at colindavies@terra.es
Plot of 4,700m2. House of 323m2, with 7 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. Perfect for a B&B business. Price: around 460,000 euros.