Spanish life is not always likeable but it is compellingly loveable.
Christopher Howse: A Pilgrim in Spain
Spanish Life
- Here's a question to which the answer is a resounding Yes.
- The mayors of Zamora and Salamanca have distanced themselves from the Leonese proposal that they all quit Castilla y León and form their own separate region. Possibly because it's pretty inevitable that it'd be called León. In honour of the old (powerful) kingdom of the same name.
Galician Life
- Will this survive Brexit . . .The Falklands’ main export is the Loligo squid and 90% of that — 80,000 tonnes this year — goes to Vigo.
- I mentioned that owners of flats here invariably belong to Communities of Owners. More and more of these in Santiago de Compostela are formally changing their rules so as to forbid tourist rentals. Hardly blameworthy, given the nefarious impact of Airbnb and the like.
- The last few days have been welcomingly sunny and hot in Pontevedra. But, as the wind is from the north, the shadows can be pretty cold. This would explain the hats, jackets and overcoats of many of those enjoying the weather. But I did find it hard to understand why one of the woman sitting on a terrace yesterday - where many outer layers had been divested - felt it necessary to wear a bobble hat, a (leopard skin) overcoat and a thick roll-neck jersey. It was hard to tell but pregnancy might have been a factor . . .
- Lots of folk liked the fotos of Pontevedra's old quarter. So here's a couple more, though the church - La Peregrina - is actually just outside one of the old gates - the Portuguese - of the casco viejo. It's widely thought to be dedicated to one of Spain's countless virgins, in this case La Virgen Peregrina. But I believe it's really dedicated to the city's patroness, La Virgen del O. I've no idea who she is/was. Other than Mary, of course. They're all about Mary:-
The USA
- Here's one of the many conspiracy theories that weave their way around that polarised country Allegedly an accurate one.
Spanish
- Words of the Day:- Candado: Lock, chain. Bastidor: Frame, chassis. From an article on the rising incidence of bike thefts in Pontevedra.
- All my Spanish, German, Dutch and Irish friends use this construction - If I would have gone to the meeting, I would have seen him there. You'll never hear a Brit use it but I've certainly heard some Americans do so, perhaps because of Irish influence. This is what we say:- If I had gone to the meeting, I would have seen him there. Or, colloquially and more usually: If I'd gone to the meeting, I'd 've seen him there. Of course, the 'wrong' construction is perfectly understandable. But 'wordy. Too long for real Anglo Saxons, who love brevity.
- If you haven't yet bought your wine for tonight, here are 3 recommendations, all of which I've enjoyed in the last 2 weeks:-
This is one of the bottles of Rioja bought when I mis-read the offer in a Carrefour outlet in Madrid last week. Costs a lot, at €22, but is a lovely tipple. But, then it is a Gran Reserva not just any old reserva. Despite years of practice, I can't tell you anything about its 'notes' or its life on the palette, etc., etc.
Finally, this is a Ribera del Duero wine which I've enjoyed every tine I've drunk it over the years. Again it's (very) expensive by Spanish standards but worth it from tine to time, especially when you want to share a bottle with friends. The basic cosecha is around €17 ; The crianza will set you back around €20-25 And the reserva upwards of €30. I think. But will check today:-
NB: Tune in tomorrow for a special treat . . . .
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