Today's photo stars our feet, having walked the length of the beach in the sunshine. Jealous yet?

There has been a lot in the press about unemployment here in Spain. Something like 60% of under 24 year olds are unemployed, but it's the older, Latin American men who are evident, asking for work. Today I had a long conversation with Carlos, who insisted on kissing my hands, arms & both (face) cheeks, whilst I tried to wriggle away. He wanted to paint the house for €500, materials included. He estimated a week for this. I reckon the materials would cost at least €100. I'm slightly ashamed that I told him the house belongs to a friend, who has no money to have it painted. A neighbour told me later that Carlos is a good worker, desperate to get any work, and was, until recently, doing odd jobs for a local estate agent. The agent is now giving the few available jobs to the husband of one of their employees, thus displacing Carlos.