The events of June 23rd.

Because we have no internet connection in our flat, and also because we were busy organising our regular annual departure for Sanxenxo where Phil will play chess for the next week, we did not discover the result of the referendum vote until about 3.00 this afternoon. 

What is there left to say about it? Almost all my friends are in a state of shocked mourning. Some optimists are saying that it might be all right in the end. The younger ones are left uncertain about the future. The non-British ones are busily pointing out how different the result could have been if EU residents in the UK had been allowed to vote. The newspapers are full of turmoil. We shall wait and see. 

In the meantime, to cheer me up, here is a photo of the nuns who visited the Islas Cíes yesterday. I could not find it to post it last night. 

One of my friends has asked if there will be bonfires and fireworks from now on in the UK on June 23rd. Oddly enough, this would bring England into line with at least two EU countries who do just that. Today is the day of Saint John. In Galicia and possibly in other parts of Spain but most certainly also in Portugal, on June 23rd, the eve of Saint John's day, they celebrate. Bonfires are lit on beaches, in squares, on patches of waste land and at midnight fireworks are set off. 

Traditionally you should leap over the bonfire to ensure either good luck or romantic success for the coming year. The one that was being built near our flats looked as if you would need to be a professional long-jumper to get over it. A student of mine was very worried about this fire-jumping business some ten years ago on a visit to La Coruña. He was reassured when I pointed out that I had signed a health and safety agreement prior to the visit, declaring that no student would be involved in dangerous "sporting" activities. 

Then there are the "hierbas de San Juan", a bunch of particular wild flowers and plants that you keep in a pot of water overnight. All the Vigo florists were stocking them. At dawn on the 24th, you wash your face in the flower water and you are guaranteed a lovely fresh complexion. Personally, I tend to prefer a full night's sleep and rely on my Oil of Olay and Boots Number Seven "Protect and Perfect" products. 

Of course, the whole feast of Saint John thing is another example of Christianity taking over pagan rituals and making them its own. Summer solstice festivals have been subsumed into the saint's day. Mind you, I sort of think the pagan element has come a little more to the fore here.