SPANISH LIFE/CULTURE
Enjoyment: More than 80% of Spaniards say their preferred way of achieving this is in bars. Or, putting it the way it was: I prefer to spend my free time in a bar. Resulting, says the survey, in an average annual spend on booze of €709. Or €1.94 a day. Cheapskates, then.
Education: I think I've worked out that the governing PP party proposed replacing the existing university entrance exam (the Selectividad) with a new exam called the Reválida. But they've now scrapped this idea. They might also have wanted to get rid of preguntas test - multiple choice questions. Or put them in. I'm not sure. Academic now.
Fuel Prices: Spain has the 5th highest electricity prices in the EU, after Denmark, Germany, Ireland and Italy. For gas, Spain ranks even higher, at 3rd after Sweden and Portugal. Maybe this is why the solar industry was undermined by the removal of subsidies and the imposition of a 'sun tax'. Profitably vested interests.
Fuel Prices: Spain has the 5th highest electricity prices in the EU, after Denmark, Germany, Ireland and Italy. For gas, Spain ranks even higher, at 3rd after Sweden and Portugal. Maybe this is why the solar industry was undermined by the removal of subsidies and the imposition of a 'sun tax'. Profitably vested interests.
SPANISH POLITICS
The PSOE Party: This left-of-centre party has put itself on the rack and the Presidenta of Andalucía (Susana Díaz) is pitching to be the person who grasps the poisoned chalice from the stand-in leader who replaced the one who was defenestrated by her. In this she's supported by ex-president Felipe González. The one with all the relatives employed in the Andalucian agency I mentioned yesterday. It seems that both he and Tony Blair are keen to get back into politics in their respective countries. God forbid.
THE EU
President Juncker: He has a fine collection of what look like silk ties. I know this because I've been searching for the foto I say yesterday in which the thin part of his tie is very short. I was going to say that a man who can't do his tie properly shouldn't be a president of anything. But I can't now.
Italian Banks: Another worrying survey from Don Quijones.
GALICIAN STUFF
The Wine Harvest: This year's was one of the best but whether this will mean a reduction in (retail) prices remains an open question. These don't always mirror bulk grape prices. White wine represents 84% of Galicia's output, of which much the major part is the albarino grape.
Suicides: Sadly, Galicia suffers 10% of the national number, despite having a population which is only 6% of the total. I have no explanation for this. I doubt it's the (regularly misrepresented) cooler, wetter weather.
LOCAL STUFF
Tax Evasion: The Hacienda's inspectors are hitting bars, discos and restaurants in a concerted campaign against VAT and income taxfraud. This can only mean that prices will go up.
Not Just Wild Boars: In nearby Moraña and Cuntis, wolves are said to be attacking sheep in broad daylight. What puzzles me is that the dead animals were not eaten. I thought it was only foxes who killed just for pleasure. And domestic dogs.
LOCAL STUFF
Tax Evasion: The Hacienda's inspectors are hitting bars, discos and restaurants in a concerted campaign against VAT and income taxfraud. This can only mean that prices will go up.
Not Just Wild Boars: In nearby Moraña and Cuntis, wolves are said to be attacking sheep in broad daylight. What puzzles me is that the dead animals were not eaten. I thought it was only foxes who killed just for pleasure. And domestic dogs.
THE GALLERY
FINALLY
My New Dashcam: I installed this yesterday and, within just a few minutes, I'd captured a guy taking a selfie of himself while negotiating a narrow bridge with one hand. I'd love to show you a clip but I've yet to learn how to cut the video down to a size I can upoad here.
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