It was counter-intuitive to read yesterday that “In 2006, Britain spent ₤497m [then c.€750m] on cosmetic surgery – more than any other European country”. But there you are. It’s in the press so it must be true. No wonder British women look so good . . .

I learned yesterday it’s the law in Spain that you must leave 30cm [1 foot] between you and the next car when you park. I had thought the rule was 2cm in town and at least 2 metres where it’s slightly less difficult to park. In what might be a typical Spanish approach to the application of a law, the police in Pontevedra say they’re now going to fine anyone who leaves less than 20cm. So I guess both men and women will now be asking what 8 inches looks like.

On a more serious note – A columnist in the Voz de Galicia yesterday addressed the story of the Spanish [Basque] fishing boat ransomed by Somali buccaneers. His opening salvo went – “Socialists are famous for the masterful management of information. They know how to establish priorities, to dominate the news agenda, to stress what they want highlighted, to hide what is inconvenient and, as a result, to create opinions which suit the party and the government. The only problem with this [no less when they are responsible for governing] is that they frequently confuse information with propaganda, just like other parties when they govern. And over the last 3 days they have confused it with transparency”. Too much Orwell, I suspect. But surely correct. In this instance, at least.

Returning to frivolity – My use of an alternative word for ‘pirates’ has reminded me of an old joke which featured Bluebeard shouting “Where’s me buccaneers?” and receiving an insolent response from his crew. Which I’ll leave you to guess at. The usual prize for the winner. Though the competition is not open to Scousers.

At first glance, the UK and Spanish papers appear to agree that, offensively, Barcelona were the superior team last night but that Man United were more dangerous. Defensively, there was no contest and, unconstrained by fear, United would surely have scored more than Scholes’ solitary but brilliant goal. As someone wrote – “United weren’t the better team but they had better tactics”. That said, I agree they were “worryingly lax in possession”. Which seems to be the English disease. Why do keepers persist in booting the ball upfield? And, while you’re at it, what on earth is the purpose of life?

After 20 or 30 years, my credit card company and I parted company yesterday, when I took exception to their refusal to waive a late payment fee which arose because of my absence from Spain last month. True, they haven’t made much money from me in all those years, but I guess their willingness to accept my cancellation is a sign of the times. If you’re a credit card company, you really want your customers to live off credit. Assuming your parent bank has got the money to lend them in the first place.

Galicia Facts

I read yesterday that “There are many theories as to why complex cookery did not take off in sub Saharan Africa, away from the Arab-influenced coasts. None are entirely satisfactory but one plausible theory is that cuisines tend to migrate along latitudes, or climatic belts”. Which may well be the best explanation for the absence of spices/sauces in Galician cooking. Other than the bloody ubiquitous paprika, of course.

Events in Scotland are followed closely here in Galicia, as they are in Cataluña and the Basque country. So it’ll be disappointing for our Nationalists to read that – after a year of rule by the Scottish Nationalist party – the populace is even less interested in independence than ever. Only 19% say they want this, maybe because 81% of them are smart enough to smell a rat when the English are insisting they shove off and tax themselves. Not stupid, those Scots. At least not when it comes to money.

Finally, I hope someone enjoyed the Encyc. Brit. link while it was there. I decided this morning it was too intrusive. And distracting from the Google ads which will make me rich . . .