Thoughts from Heald Green, Cheshire, England: 15.10.19

Spanish life is not always likeable but it is compellingly loveable.   

                  Christopher Howse: A Pilgrim in Spain

Spanish Politics

• I'm sure that the majority non-Catalan Spaniards will disagree but it's hard not to have some sympathy with the view that the Catalan trial sentences are political in nature. Though this might be going too far, given that the laws exist and provide for these sentences.
• The (acting) Prime Minister has called for 'a new chapter in Cataluña'. Fine, but does anyone have any real idea of how this is going to be brought about? Or will this sore continue to fester for possibly decades?
• Does Spain need a jeringoza and will she get one after the November elections? Yes and No, I fear. Things are still too tribal here, I fancy.
• I see that Germany and France are to curb arms sales to Turkey, but not Spain. I'm still wondering why not.

The Spanish Economy

• The inflation news is good, though I do wonder how they can be so accurate.

Spanish Life

• It's reported that more than 4m Spaniards are vegetarian or vegan and that the number is growing rapidly. Having seen 3 vegetarian restaurants close in Pontevedra over the years, I'm dubious about this. 
• El País says this is the most exclusive place in Spain in which to live. If you can call it Spain. As you can see here, I don't regard that coastline to be worth this compliment. That was written when I visited the place some years ago but I doubt it's got any more authentic since then. That said, beyond the coast, Andalucia has some truly wonderful places to see. Unless you crave solitude.

Galicia/Pontevedra life

• As I keep repeating, Galicia has 3 small 'international' airports, each of them uneconomic. Vigo's has 1.1m customers a year but no international flights during the winter. It used to have a weekly flight from Paris - because of the Citroen factory in the city - but lost this to one of the other 2 airports in the endless game of Play-off that goes on between the 3 of them and the airlines. IGIYSTS

The UK 

• A staggering 77% of Brits have no confidence that the House of Commons can take the right decisions on Brexit. So, they should be grateful they have Brussels to do this for them.

The USA

• Allegedly, it's going to be a bad week for Ffart. Not that he would necessarily perceive this.
• Someone who's no admirer of the man, fears that impeachment will drive a desperate Ffart to initiate his own coup, aimed at making him the dictator he really isn't but would like to be. Thought-provoking. Hard to rule out, given everything we've seen.

Spanish

• Phrases of the Day: 5 old sayings, with their English equivalents.

Finally . . .

1. As you may or may not know, (North) Americans don't use cutlery the way others do. Specifically, they don't use the knife and fork at the same time but, rather, first cut up stuff, then lay down the knife, before shifting the the fork to their preferred hand, so that they can shovel everything into their waiting mouths. As Stephen Pinker writes, this way you end up chasing peas around the plate with your fork in pursuit of purchase. Brits, on the other hand, use cutlery simultaneously and solve the pea problem by using the knife to force them onto the back of an overturned fork. I've always regarded the latter as pretty stupid but now realise things could have been stupider. 
2. Yesterday, I saw a reference to an interesting-looking new book - 52 Times Britain Was A Bellend: The History You Didn’t Get Taught At School’ by James Felton. To be published this week. I was reminded of this conversation with my younger daughter:.

Me: Han, what's a bloody bellend?
YD: Dad, are you joking???

Those still ignorant should click here. And show some sympathy for the folk of this place. Where there's an unfortunately named 'Bell End service station'.