I
discovered today there's a police station secreted behind the foliage
near a large roundabout at the end of the long straight stretch which
starts in Headingley. I immediately realised that one reason -
perhaps the main one - why the police cars drive fast along this road
with their lights flashing and their sirens screaming is that they
want to get back for a cup of tea. One thing's for sure - I won't
miss the noise they make.
Talking
of noise . . . Long term readers may recall that, a few years ago, I
bought a TV-be-Gone - a
key-fob sized remote control which switches off every TV within a
matter of seconds. I used it for silencing the TVs in Spanish
bars and cafés which no one was watching and which contributed to
the noise pollution in the place. Sadly, though, it could never turn
off music. Anyway, I bought a new one this week and will enjoy
(re)experimenting with it in Pontevedra.
I
listened to an interesting BBC podcast today, on the theme of gays
who cease to be gays and become straight. Or bisexual. Of their own
accord, without religious pressure or the like. I was amused by the
clever terms used - Hasbians for ex lesbians. And Yestergays
for both sexes. Creative folk.
Talking
of words . . . I assume Sunday's events in Greece can be labelled
Grelections. I haven't seen this word but am sure someone beat
me to it. Possibly weeks ago.
And
still on words . . . One of my fellow bloggers (David Jackson? Lenox
Napier?) wrote this week that the two English words scatological
and eschatological are both rendered as escatológico
in Spanish. This despite the fact they have hugely different
meanings. As you can see here and here. I suppose that context is
everything but one can still imagine some confusion. And possibly
anger. On the other hand, things could come together on Judgment Day
- "Shit, it's the end of the world!"
I
read today of some bones unearthed recently which may or may not be
those of John the Baptist. The article added these facts to my scant
knowledge on this subject:-
·
Most
controversial of the many saintly relics in medieval Europe was the
foreskin of Christ, also known as the Holy Prepuce. No fewer than 18
of these were in circulation during the Middle Ages. [Perhaps it
wasn't only the loaves and fishes which were converted.]
·
Frederick
III of Saxony acquired more than 5,000 relics in an attempt to
shorten his time in purgatory. These included a strand of Christ’s
beard, threads from the Virgin Mary’s veil and a twig from the
burning bush. [Understandably, Frederick also held the title of Most
Credulous Buffoon in Christendom. And had a lot of friends who were
estate agents.]
·
The
priciest relic was probably the crown of thorns acquired by Louis IX
in 1239 for nearly half of France’s annual budget. One of the
thorns is now in the British Museum. [In a cabinet flanked by those
holding the horn of a unicorn and the Holy Grail].
·
Perhaps the cheapest can be
found at Sacro Monte di Crea in Northern Italy. Among the fragments
of bones from holy men is a glass case relating to an Italian saint
who died in the 1970s. It contains a pair of black cotton socks. [I
wonder if it was these that were used to perform the miracles
necessary for someone to be made a saint. Presumably more than
eradicating athletes' foot.]
Finally
. . . Good to see those old favourites donkey throwing and
brothels in vigo still turning up in the searches which bring
readers to this blog. I'm not proud. I'll take anyone.
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