During Spain’s Klondike years – were they really still raging only a few months ago? – to visit a notary’s office was akin to chucking yourself into the centre of a rugby scrum. This was because the relentless conveyor belt of property transactions meant upwards of six people for each of an endless succession of overlapping deed-signings. In contrast, the two notary offices I visited yesterday were eerily empty and silent. With polite staff and oleaginous notaries – now-wealthy folk who, until recently, appeared to agree with the popular view they were of divine provenance. Sic transit gloria mundi. But hey, it’s not all bad news. Only a week after losing my UK credit card, I’ve received an invitation to take out a Tarjeta Obsidiana Platinum. Nice to know I’m wanted in these straitened times. And interesting to see that jet is the new gold. And possibly the new platinum as well.

In contrast to the placid situation in the country’s notary offices, over in the courts it never rains but it pours. Spain’s judicial system can hardly be said to be a byword for efficiency and speed but in recent months it’s been hard hit by one strike or another. And now it’s being overwhelmed by the actions resulting from the collapse of the construction sector. Including, of course, petitions from realtors, promoters and builders seeking bankruptcy protection. Or defending themselves from law suits. And then there’s the bank repossessions. No wonder there’s despair at the prospect of increased delays in not only getting any case heard but also in the execution of judicial judgments. As someone has written, perhaps there are more important things for the government to worry about than a new way of financing the regions.

If your water company can’t be bothered to explain its price increases to you, it’s hardly likely it’s going to warn you about temporarily cutting off your supply, is it? And so it was both yesterday and the day before. When I called to check, they assured me the cuts were ‘planned’. Unlike any courtesy advice to customers, it would seem.

And talking of customer service – my strategy of dealing direct with Canon over a new printer lies in tatters. After a month of waiting for something promised within a week, I finally cancelled the order yesterday. My guess is they’ll think I’m a mad anglosajon. Anyway, I now have to buy another cartridge of liquid gold/platinum/jet for the new Epson machine that was finally given to me only two weeks ago.

Here’s a surprise – The EU says that Spanish TV companies are flagrantly ignoring the rules which limit advertising to 12 minutes an hour. Most obviously – I suspect – by stopping films after a couple of minutes for a full 15 minutes of anuncios. Not to mention the entire half-time period of soccer games. Brussels says fines will soon be imposed but what’s the betting nothing will change?

Galicia Facts

The Vigo youth who a short while ago was arrested for killing a married couple during an illegal race through the centre of the city was this week stopped for shooting a red light on a motorbike and being three times over the drink limit. Possibly he’ll stay in prison for a bit longer this time. If the courts can find the time to try him.

On a happier note - The Anglo Galician Association – open to all who speak English and who have an interest of any sort in Galicia – now has a web-based forum for those with queries about life here. Click here.

Finally – Testing my elder daughter recently to see if she’d fallen foul of trends in British pronunciation, I gave her this sentence to say – After a battle, Aristotle went to hospital to have a little operation on the total tassel of his castle. This might make more sense if you’re a regular reader but, anyway, it reduced Faye to a helpless heap. So I hope it lifts your day. As someone once wrote:-
Before your mind just drifts away
Reflect a while upon your day
And ask yourself if you can say
‘I brightened up two lives today’.

But you don’t have to worry about people who give your blog only a 3-star rating.