Spanish life is not always likeable but it is compellingly loveable.
- Christopher Howse: A Pilgrim in Spain.
If you've arrived here because of an interest in Galicia or Pontevedra, see my web page here. Garish but informative.
Matters Spanish
- An interesting development:- A magnificent tapestry commissioned by Henry VIII has been discovered in Spain, long after it was thought to have been destroyed. . . In exquisite detail, its main scene depicts a spectacular bonfire with Saint Paul directing the burning of irreligious books. Experts described it as “the Holy Grail of Tudor tapestry” and “one of the most sumptuous and important Renaissance tapestries”. It will go on public display for the first time in October as the centrepiece of a loan exhibition at the S Franses gallery in St James’s London. After which, an export licence will be sought from the Spanish government.
- Here's something to look out for if you live in Spain . . . In the last week, I've seen 2 or 3 examples of people not only entering details into the computer in front of them but also in a tatty notebook at the side of the latter. As if they don't trust it. Which might be understandable in the garage where I took my car for a service last week. As it took 2 of them15-20 minutes to get the computer to print out my bill.
- Which reminds me . . . Time-wasting. On Tuesday I ordered a battery for my laptop at my local IT shop and was told it would be in by Friday. So, I called in on Saturday morning, to finethat owner wasn't in and his assistant knew nothing about a battery. So I returned on Saturday evening, waited 15-20 minutes and was then told the battery hadn't arrived but should be there by next Tuesday. Not Monday, because that's a public holiday. Not a national one. Nor even a provincial one. Nor even an urban one in Pontevedra. Just in my barrio, Poio, on this side of the river. So, after the big downs of Thursday and the big ups of Friday, a normal unproductive day at the coalface. And the prospect of more time-wasting next week. I've asked the owner to call me when the battery arrives but this is very rarely a successful tactic in Spain. No wonder one of my key pieces of advice for newcomers is: Take reading matter with you wherever you go.
- Here's the link which might have been faulty for you yesterday – The Local on the Spanish word otoño.
Matters British
- Are you up on the latest transgender developments? For example with the attitude of the UK's Fire Brigades Union. If not, see the article below. It's quite hard to credit.
Matters Galician and Pontevedran
- Pontevedra city has an annual Pont-Up event . . .
This gives local entrepreneurs the chance to, literally, set up shop for a couple of days in Plaza de España in front of the town hall. It's bigger this year than last year and I'm impressed. Though not with the fact that all the literature is only in Gallego. As if we didn't live in Spain. But, anyway, given that the event is bigger this year, I guess there was a lot of Pont-Up demand . . . . Sorry. If you got it. Stupid Spanglish name by the way. Based, I guess, on the term 'pop-up' shops.
- Another report confirming that Pontevedra province has the highest car insurance premiums in Spain. Is this due to the incidence of accidents or to the very high level of motoring fines achieved by our various police forces. Either way, the premiums are reported to have risen 20% this year. Nice to know.
- Talking of the police . . . My neighbour, Ester, told me last night that one of the things the local variety are willing to do is help you if you accidentally chuck your keys into one of the large rubbish bins in the street. She couldn't believe the British police would never contemplate doing this. Having more important things to do. Such as arresting people who make comments about trans folk that are perceived to be hateful. The comments, I mean.
- Not sure where this was filmed - can't make out the child's language - but it's certainly amusing:-
© [David] Colin Davies, Pontevedra: 23.9.18
THE ARTICLE
Transgender activists are fanning the flames of misogyny
For female firefighters, prejudice and harassment is often part of the job. Women-only facilities are rare, sexism is rife and the profession is dangerous and traumatic. So how does the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) deal with the myriad problems facing their female members? By passing a policy that supports the right of men to self-identify as women, which, in turn, would enable them to use women’s dorms, washing facilities and lavatories.
Women comprise a mere 7% of the UK’s firefighting force, up from just 4% in 2012. But soon, if we go along with the line taken by the all-male national executive committee, there will be a few more, only these “women” are likely to have penises and Adam’s apples.
The policy was voted in on Thursday, eight votes to three, by an executive committee made up entirely by men. Its statement claims that: “The FBU is keen to ensure, for example, that women in workplaces are fully involved in discussions about the provision of women-only facilities and the impact of the proposed changes on those provisions.” But, according to a number of senior female FBU members I have spoken to, the voices of women have been largely ignored. “Many of us are outraged that a group of men have decided, without any consultation with female members, that a man can self-ID as a woman,” Lucy Massoud, the FBU’s LGBT representative told me.
For female firefighters, prejudice and harassment is often part of the job. Women-only facilities are rare, sexism is rife and the profession is dangerous and traumatic. So how does the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) deal with the myriad problems facing their female members? By passing a policy that supports the right of men to self-identify as women, which, in turn, would enable them to use women’s dorms, washing facilities and lavatories.
Women comprise a mere 7% of the UK’s firefighting force, up from just 4% in 2012. But soon, if we go along with the line taken by the all-male national executive committee, there will be a few more, only these “women” are likely to have penises and Adam’s apples.
The policy was voted in on Thursday, eight votes to three, by an executive committee made up entirely by men. Its statement claims that: “The FBU is keen to ensure, for example, that women in workplaces are fully involved in discussions about the provision of women-only facilities and the impact of the proposed changes on those provisions.” But, according to a number of senior female FBU members I have spoken to, the voices of women have been largely ignored. “Many of us are outraged that a group of men have decided, without any consultation with female members, that a man can self-ID as a woman,” Lucy Massoud, the FBU’s LGBT representative told me.
This sorry tale from the FBU is just the latest in a long line of outrages towards women in the name of transgender inclusivity. For the past year, the proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act – which would allow people to self-define their legal gender – has created a massive ruck between transgender activists and feminists. It’s hardly surprising – there are potentially dire consequences to a law being passed that allows men to just decide they are women, and act on that decision immediately. If the law allowing self-identification passes, it would mean the end of women-only refuges, changing rooms, tents at Girl Guide camps, hospitals and psychiatric wards, and even prisons. This idiotic campaign has even been adopted by the Labour leadership (consisting of macho men reminiscent of the Seventies), who have decided to support having men who claim to be women on all-female shortlists.
Self-appointed “feminist allies” such as the Leftist poster boy, Owen Jones seem to get a thrill out of screaming “transphobe” at those of us who make it clear we do not believe men can be women simply because they say they are. When the world finally wakes up from this Orwellian madness, and the cowards who have so far been silent on the issue finally dare to speak out, it will become as clear as day that – as so clearly illustrated by the case of the FBU – transgender ideology is nothing more than gross misogyny dressed up as progress.
Self-appointed “feminist allies” such as the Leftist poster boy, Owen Jones seem to get a thrill out of screaming “transphobe” at those of us who make it clear we do not believe men can be women simply because they say they are. When the world finally wakes up from this Orwellian madness, and the cowards who have so far been silent on the issue finally dare to speak out, it will become as clear as day that – as so clearly illustrated by the case of the FBU – transgender ideology is nothing more than gross misogyny dressed up as progress.
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