Thoughts from Galicia, Spain: Some text and many pix.

Spanish (non)Government: We're all treading water here until, probably, a second go at general elections in June. With the awful prospect of another stalemate. Meanwhile, the politicians with nothing to do but collect their salaries and expenses are getting bit antsy. Poor things.

Cultural Differences: Here's a picture of one of the victims of the Belgian bombings, from a British newspaper. I rather doubt that his bloody left leg would have been obscured in a Spanish newspaper. Gore is a staple fare of the hardier Spanish media.

A False Friend: In English, 'prevarication' means: Deviation from what is right or correct. Or Transgression, perversion. Or Evasion of the truth; deceit, evasiveness. But most of us won't know that it also means: A secret abuse in the exercise of a public office. Here in Spain it only seems to mean the latter – A crime in which someone in authority, a judge or a civil servant hands down a judgment which is known to be unjust. It's something judges are regularly accused of, either by politicians or by people who've been charged and who, I suspect, want to slow down an already snail-like process so as to increase their chances of getting off because of the statute of limitations. But I'm happy to be corrected on this.

The EU and Turkey: This is the best explanation – indeed, the only explanation – I've read for the arrangement cobbled together between the EU Grand Committee and Turkey: Europe, for the sake of its credibility and unity, desperately needs a deal – however legally dubious and ugly – to stick. Anyone got a better rationale for something that seems inexplicable to me?

Galician Businesses: Last week I came across 2 references to these – Showcooking and PersonalShopper. I thought the first might be a new market niche but it turns out to be an events company in La Coruña, providing personalised gastronomy. Possibly what we used to call 'catering'. The second is an established business in the Anglosphere, of course, but in this case the reference was to a course at some higher education institute. This place also offers an introduction to Coolhunting. Wikipedia tells us WTF this is here. We used to call it 'trend spotting'.

Retirement: Have you got a million quid and a hankering for something unusual for your autumn years? Then, click here for a modern option.

Finally . . . A Challenge: What is most bizarre about this sentence?: The acclaimed artist, Tracey Emin, wearing her father's funeral shroud, has married a rock in her garden. Yes, you're right; it's the word 'acclaimed'. I would have said 'artist' but these days art world experts – or at least those who buy and sell works of 'art' – tell us that an 'artist' is anyone who thinks that the work he/she/ze produces is art. Quite. Who could possibly disagree with that?

And . . .

Fotos of Monday night's Semana Santa procession here in Ponters. One or two aren't entirely in focus but you get the picture. It might not be Sevilla but it's colourful - and eerie - enough. I believe this is where the KKK got their bad habits from . . . And - suggests my New Orleans friend, Rick - the Mardi Gras costumes there.