It's a funny business, banking. While the rest of the world seems to think something really serious might be happening, Barclays in Spain are phoning my visiting daughter about her interest in a 21,000 euro loan 'at only 5%'. And it may well be that things actually are hunky-dory here in Spain and that we've got absolutely nothing to worry about. For the President of the Spanish Confederation of Savings Banks has insisted the financial system here is the best in the world and it won't be affected by the ‘toxic actions’ which have caused problems Stateside. Whether he stuck his neck so far above the ramparts before or after the news of Lehman's bankruptcy, I don't know but, either way, investors were obviously more than a tad sceptical as shares in Spanish banks shares fell sharply yesterday. And possibly again today.

The other optimist on the block is the Minister of the Economy, Sr Solbes, who's appealed for calm and rejected the view of some 'experts' that there could soon be solvency problems in Spain's banking sector. It may be that this view is countered by that of Charles Butler over at Ibex Salad but I have to admit I find his comments a little impenetrable this time.

I see Damian Hirst made even more money than he predicted he would at the auction of his stuff. I guess it all goes to prove that money can buy you a golden calf but not taste.

Galicia

They painted white lines outside my house today - apparently to show us where we can and can't park. But, as they hadn't told us in advance, this meant they had to leave gaps where the wheels of parked cars got in the way of their intentions . . .



More interestingly, as they didn't paint anything if front of the garage gates, this left open the question of whether anyone - even the owners - could park in front of these. Within minutes, though, my next-door-but-one neighbour had kindly answered this question by parking in front of mine. Plus ca change . . .