The geopolitical theme of our peace-ridden times is surely nationalism. And the tide does seem to be turning in favour of those seeking to break up existing nation states or political unions. Provided things are done democratically, I see no wrong in this but it does raise rather intriguing questions of where it will all end. Will the Orkneys, for example, claim that some Norwegian link gives them a right to secede from a newly independent Scotland? As for the here-and-now, this is an article from a [right-of-centre] UK commentator who believes - as many now do - that the British union is already moribund. For a close-to-home analogy, imagine that a Spanish government full of Galician politicians was giving a subsidy of 10 billion euros a year to a Galicia run by Galician Nationalists demanding independence. Is it is so inconceivable that the rest of Spain would say Adios? Now? Within 10 years?

Talking of national and supranational politics . . . Yesterday, for the thirteenth consecutive year, the European Court of Auditors refused to approve the EU budget. If this happened to a government department, it would be front page news. If it happened to a private corporation, directors would be facing prison terms. But, because it's Brussels, we flex our shoulders in a shrug so disdainful as to be almost Gallic. Yup, the EU is corrupt. Et alors? How long can this go on, one wonders?

To my surprise, a significant minority of Spaniards – 40% - are reported to think the King was wrong to tell President Chaves of Venezuela to shut his gob. Even more of them – 76% - say it was wrong for the Spanish courts to fine two cartoonists 3,000 euros each for portraying the Crown Prince and his wife copulating in the doggy position. Well, 76% of Voz de Galicia readers who bothered to vote on line. I like to think they represent the country as a whole. Possibly even some right-wing fascists. This, by the way, is a tautologous phrase in Spain, where everyone even the slightest bit right of centre is routinely called a fascist. Though not all are given this honour by President Chaves.

Spain is now said to have more cars per capita than France – 501 per 1000 – but to lag behind Germany at 565 and Italy at 596. Spain, though, may well have the fastest drivers. Which reminds me . . . Last year here, a total of 344 people were prosecuted for driving the wrong way down motorways, resulting in 158 accidents and 35 deaths. The peak periods for this kamikaze behaviour were the summer and winter fiesta periods. Along with the early hours of Saturday and Sunday mornings, these are certainly the best times to stay off Spanish roads.

Finally, a new way of cooking lamb that I enjoyed in Toro, after my not-pigs'-ear soup . . .