I forgot to mention that, while we were dining so well during the night of San Juan/Xoán in Combarro last Thursday, a chap of advanced years appeared with about six large rockets in his hand. With ne'er a care for either us or his fingers (assuming he had any left) he then proceeded to light them, wait for them to fizz for a few seconds and then launch them into the ether. After which he nonchalantly wandered off, while we mentally counted how many crimes he would've committed in the UK.

The other thing I was reminded of by the short drive to Combarro was that I'd written about ugly new buildings in and around Pontevedra. The worst of these – in the modern toilet style – just happen to be on the outskirts of this port. Click here for the fotos.

I'm still fascinated by the Iranian version of news from PressTV. Or, as it should be called, All-the-bad-stuff-we-can-find-about-the-USA.TV And I was stimulated to check out the conference on the prevention of terrorism recently held in Tehran. According to the Tehran Times, the subjects covered included “The roots of terrorism, the roles of international and regional organizations in the campaign against terrorism, and the view of divine religions on terrorism.” It must have been tremendous fun and you can read the end-of-conference press statement here. Though I don't suppose you will. Sadly, there seems to be no definition of 'terrorism'.

Talking of organisations with a poor public image . . . Since it does such a good job itself, how can Ryanair possibly sue someone else for defaming it? Should make for an interesting judgement.

We were down by the community pool yesterday evening, where there was a British family who were staying with a neighbour and whose son had clearly run in one of the weekend's triathlon events. There were eight of us in all, seven Brits and one young Spanish girl of around 19. Everyone was reading but the difference was seven of us were reading a book and the eighth was reading texts on a Blackberry. So a qualitative as well as a quantitative difference.

Incidentally, I'm told that Blackberries (Blackberrys?) are all the rage with the kids of Pontevedra. Not done to be seen without one, apparently. And, as a fashion item, they come in all sorts of colours. Spoilt brats.

Finally . . . If you're a bit confused about evolution or subscribe to the Creationist school, click here for a marvellous strip cartoon. And an interesting set of Comments.