Recovery? What recovery?

My favourite economic indicator is the Baltic Dry Indicator, which tracks worldwide international shipping prices of various dry bulk cargoes, as unlike most Govt. issued stats it's not subject to the application of fudge factors - hedonic or seasonal 'adjustments'.

Recovery? What recovery? 

The five year plot is most interesting.

Trololo

There's nothing like a good old Soviet era singalong. Incomparable work from Comrade Eduard Khil, as he skilfully avoids singing the original degenerate Western cowboy lyrics. Extra points for the hairdo, moves and brown suit.

Mr P suggests a jolly.

On Facebook , Mr P suggests I arrange a jolly to Marseilles.

"On the other hand, hey, look, there's David in a funny hats. The old uncle. Why doesn't he arrange some sort of meet in somewhere like Marseille?"

I have to admit that I've become very lazy in this respect, but for the best of reasons. Most people are restricted as to when they can holiday (children, careers, invasions of Poland, etc.), whereas I've been footloose and fancy free for the last decade (Yes, it has been that long since KSA slid into it's eventual inevitable voluntary liquidation. The marvel is that it hung on for as long as it did), and have been free to slot in with other people's plans. 

I shall be happy to look into this, but require interested parties to submit their preferred dates, with alternatives.

I think a gite a few miles outside Marseille would be best, in or near some village, as I would be coming by car, either the C3 or the big Ford as required. I imagine safe parking in Marseilles old town would be even more of a pain, and far more expensive than Lisbon. Marseilles is a comfortable 2 day drive from the Costa Geriatrica with a one night stop at J&A's place near Pezenas. 

As at Lisbon, I would arrive a day early, and then pick people up from the airport the next day, under guidance from the very wonderful Emily, aka "She who should almost always  be obeyed".

Emily says 'In 200 meters keep right onto A9'

Christmas shopping pit-stop in Javea covered market.

Big Meats at Mercadona.

Something about the size, colour, artless arrangement and lighting of the meat products on offer made this large poster at the underground car park entrance of Mercadona look engagingly gross. I asked J & D to step in to provide scale.

Evidently they don't employ Home Economists in Spanish advertising, though I have to admit it is difficult to make morcilla (top left) look like anything other than a dog turd when you photograph it.  Full sized version.

 ¡Viva la diferencia! Vegetarianism is still regarded as some sort of weird perversion or mental illness by most Spaniards.

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