Puntos de vista - a personal Spain blog

May Day, May 1st, is also known as International Workers' Day, and is a global celebration of workers and the labour movement. The day is celebrated worldwide, honouring the contributions of workers and advocating for workers' rights, fair wages and safe working conditions.

May Day is also a day for celebration of the arrival of summer with, for example, Maypole Dancing and dressing up.

[Reader's Digest]    

In addition "Mayday! Mayday!" is the international radio call sign for ships and aeroplanes in distress. It is a corruption of the French "M'aider!" meaning "help me!"

    [Science / How Stuff Works]

May Day is celebrated differently in different countries. Let's look at three:

Spain

May 1st is a dia festivo in Spain, so banks, offices and businesses close.

In 2026 it is this coming Friday, resulting in a three-day weekend for many.

If May 1st falls on a Tuesday or a Thursday, many workers will take a "puente" giving them a four-day break.

Also the Dia del Trabajo, it is unlikely to be celebrated by the unemployed!

[The Olive Press]    

United Kingdom

May 1st is no longer a Bank Holiday in the UK, as in the past, unless it falls on a Monday. Instead the nearest Monday to May 1st is the May Bank Holiday. On that day there are fetes, Maypole Dancing and Morris Men.

May 1st remains International Workers' Day (Labor Day in the USA).

[National Today]    

Germany

May 1st is a Feiertag (= bank holiday) in the whole ¡ of Germany. If May 1st falls on a Saturday or Sunday, hard luck! German workers do not get a day in lieu.

May 1st is also Der Tag der Arbeit, in common with the rest of the world. There are often marches and demonstrations demanding better working conditions.

[myloview]    

© Paul Whitelock

Images:

myloview, National Today, Reader's Digest, Science How Stuff Works, The Olive Press

Thanks:

Bing, Copilot Search, Paul Whitelock, Wikipedia

Tags:

Bing, Copilot Search, Der Tag der Arbeit, Dia del Trabajo, dia festivo, Feiertag, international radio call sign, International Workers' Day, Labor Day, "M'aider!", May 1st, May Bank Holiday, "Mayday!", May Day, Maypole Dancing, Morris Men, myloview, National Today, Paul Whitelock, Reader's Digest, Science How Stuff Works, The Olive Press, Wikipedia,

The Andalucia Bird Festival came to Montejaque for its 3rd edition this weekend. The opening session on Friday followed the format of previous years with speeches by dignitaries from the Junta de Andalucia, the Diputacion de Malaga, as well as Montejaque Town Hall and the Andalucia Bird Society.

After this welcome the exhibition was declared open and the visitors were able to enjoy the contributions of societies promoting birds and the environment from far and wide, including Portugal.

As for this attender, I bought a rather fine T-shirt commemorating 50 years of andalus, the wildlife and environment society; a mug; a fridge magnet and was given a super straw hat to add to my collection.

There was a complimentary paella for those attending, as well as a bar serving a range of drinks, including coffee and delicious cakes.

The programme of activities continued throughout Saturday and Sunday.

Supporters and Sponsors

Note:

I am publishing this now so that interested folk still have time to attend today and tomorrow.

Links:

Montejaque “gets the bird” (festival)

© Paul Whitelock 2026

Pictures:

Paul Whitelock

Thanks:

Andalucia Bird Festival, Diego Sanchez (Mayor of Montejaque), Peter Jones (Chairperson, Andalucia Bird Society

Tags:

Andalucia Bird Festival, Diego Sanchez, Montejaque, Paul Whitelock, Peter Jones, 

"I have had the privilege of visiting over 70 countries and Andalucia is my home of choice: it is one of the most beautiful places in the world. We were impressed by the culture, the old traditions and the sheer quantity of monuments and historic and archaeological sites ....."

So says Chris Chaplow in an interview with Tony Bryant for SUR in English, on the 30th anniversary of his website andalucia.com.

A civil engineer by training, Chaplow settled in Estepona in 1991 and in 1992 married his partner Michelle, a professional photographer. Around the same time Lookout Magazine commissioned an article about foreign residents who were using the internet. They found just four English-speakers in the whole of Andalucia with an internet connection and Chaplow was one of them.

Chris Chaplow [andalucia.com]    

Humble beginnings

Via Tizz.com, a compendium of Spanish links built with university friend Chris Mason, Chaplow launched andalucia.com in 1996.

Chaplow remarks: "At that time even Yahoo ... had ... zero (references) for Andalucia."

While Michelle was pursuing her career as a photographer, Chris was developing his idea of creating a website about Andalucia.

    Michelle Chaplow [MC]

Three decades later andalucia.com is the go-to website for comprehensive information about Spain's second largest region. The English edition comprises over 11,000 pages and the Spanish edition, launched in 2006. has some 3,500.

Recognition

Andalucia.com, the leading portal for information about Andalucia, received yesterday the award for best company of the year, which the regional government presented in collaboration with the Málaga Chamber of Commerce. The award ceremony, which took place at the El Fuerte Hotel in Marbella, was chaired by María Gámez, government delegate in Málaga, and coincided with the Business Day for Foreign Residents.

    María Gámez [Photo: Salvador Salas/ Ñito Salas/ SUR]

"For all of us who make Andalucia.com possible, it is a great honour to receive this award," said Paz Rosado, editor of the website in its Spanish version. Rosado also did not want to forget the award organisers, whom she congratulated on the initiative.

Chris Chaplow, managing director of andalucia.com, in his acceptance speech said he felt "flattered to receive this award from the Junta de Andalucía and the Malaga Chamber of Commerce" and added, "it is a recognition of 12 years of work promoting Andalusia." Chaplow wanted to thank especially "the dedicated team at andalucia.com, our advertisers who support us, and the 350,000 unique visitors per month from all over the world." 

In 2009 Chaplow received the Innovator of the Year award from the Costa Press Club, the association for foreign  journalists and media people based in Southern Andalucia.

    Chris Chaplow, 3rd from right [Costa Press Club]

Footnote:

Andalucia.com (www.andalucia.com) is one of the first websites providing information about Andalusia in Spain, and a leader in website visits. It offers clear and concise information, mainly aimed at tourists, foreign residents, and the investment market. The first English version started in 1996, and the Spanish version was launched in 2006. Over the last 12 years, its growth has placed it as the most visited site about Andalusia.

Happy birthday to andalucia.com and congratulations to Chris and Michelle Chaplow.

Links:

www.andalucia.com, www.costapressclub.com, www.diariosur.com

© Pablo de Ronda

Pictures:

andalucia.com, Costa Press Club, Michelle  Chaplow, Ñito Salas, Salvador Salas, 

Thanks:

andalucia.com, Chris Chaplow, Costa Press Club, Diario SUR, Michelle Chaplow, Paul Whitelock, SUR in English 

and with special thanks to:

Tony Bryant

Tags:

Chris Chaplow, Costa Press Club, Diario SUR, Maria Gamez, Innovator of the Year, Junta de Andalucía, Malaga Chamber of Commerce, Michelle Chaplow, Ñito Salas, Paul Whitelock, Paz Rosado, Salvador Salas, SUR in English, Tony Bryant

World Parkinson’s Day is observed annually on April 11 to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease and honour the legacy of James Parkinson, who identified the disease back in 1817. The date chosen is his birthday.

The day aims to increase global awareness of Parkinson’s disease, highlight the challenges faced by those living with it, and promote research, support, and advocacy. 

[Wikipedia]    

History

The observance of this day was established in 1997 by Parkinson’s Europe in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). The inaugural event also launched the Parkinson’s Europe Charter, outlining the rights of people with Parkinson’s and advocating for better care and understanding. Over the years, the day has grown into a global movement, with organisations from over 80 countries participating. 

(Source: Wikipedia)

[www.parkinsonseurope.org]    

Purpose and Themes

World Parkinson’s Day focuses on:

• Raising awareness about Parkinson’s as a fast-growing neurological disease;
• Breaking stigma and encouraging people affected by Parkinson’s to speak out and unite; 
• Advocating for better care and support, addressing gaps in healthcare and social services for patients and caregivers;
• Promoting research and funding for medical breakthroughs. 

[WPD]    

Unlucky 13 - some notable cases

1. Michael J. Fox

    [El Mundo]

One of the best-known celebrities with Parkinson’s and also one of its biggest advocates, Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991 at age 29. He finally publicly revealed his diagnosis in 1998.

He launched the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which has become the world’s largest non-profit funder of Parkinson’s drug research and development, funding $800 million in research since its inception.

2. Rev. Jesse Jackson

    [Libertad Digital]

Civil rights activist and two-time presidential candidate Rev. Jesse Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2015. Revealing his diagnosis in a written statement in 2017 (he was 76 at the time), he said he and his family had begun noticing “changes” three years earlier. He said he views his diagnosis as “a signal that I must make lifestyle changes and dedicate myself to physical therapy in hopes of slowing the disease’s progression.” His father also had Parkinson’s disease.

3. Muhammad Ali

    [Vox]

Legendary boxer Muhammad Ali was one of the first major celebrities to go public with a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. He was diagnosed in 1984, in his 40s, three years after he retired from boxing. Ali became a fierce advocate for Parkinson’s awareness and treatment. He helped found the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1997, and also created Celebrity Fight Night to raise money for research.
Ali died in 2016 at age 74 of sepsis, which is not typically linked with Parkinson’s but could have been exacerbated by his physical condition.

4. Linda Ronstadt

    [Video courtesy of TikTok]

Singer Linda Ronstadt, best known for tracks like “Desperado” and “Tracks of My Tears” has progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) — a form of parkinsonism that causes similar symptoms to Parkinson’s disease but is a distinct condition. Whereas the defining feature of Parkinson’s disease is the loss of dopamine in the brain, PSP is characterized by the accumulation of a type of protein called tau in nerve cells in the brain. This accumulation causes cells to die. PSP symptoms are more severe and progress quicker than Parkinson’s symptoms, and PSP does not respond to Parkinson’s medication.

Now 73, Ronstadt has been open about the challenges of her condition, which requires her to spend most of her time at home since she has difficulty standing and moving.

5. Alan Alda

    [AARP]

Actor Alan Alda, best known for roles in “M*A*S*H,” “The West Wing,” “The Blacklist” and “The Aviator,” revealed in 2018, at age 82, that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s three and a half years earlier. 
Alda has been open about the steps he’s taking to treat his symptoms, including exercise like boxing, tennis and juggling.

6. Neil Diamond

    [Biography]

Singer-songwriter Neil Diamond shared his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2018, at age 76. He retired from concert touring due to the physical challenges caused by Parkinson’s.

However, Diamond said that he would like to try performing again, in a format he can handle.

“I’m doing pretty well. I’m active. I take my meds. I do my workouts. I’m in pretty good shape. I’m feeling good. I want to stay productive. I still have my voice. I just can’t do the traveling that I once did, but I have my wife there supporting me (and) friends,” he told The Associated Press.

7. Janet Reno

    [IMDb]

Janet Reno served as the US Attorney General from 1993 to 2001 (the first woman to hold the position) and discovered she had Parkinson’s disease in 1995 at age 57. She continued her work in politics and was on the board of the Innocence Project after her tenure as attorney general ended.

Reno died in 2016 at age 78, due to complications of Parkinson’s disease.

8. Paul Sinha

    [Evening Standard]

Paul Sinha, British comedian and star of the game show “The Chase”, revealed in a blog post published in 2019 that he had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He explained that his symptoms began in 2017 with a “frozen right shoulder” and a limp on his right side. He now has a treatment plan in place and plans to continue performing. Sinha is 49 years old.

9. Billy Connolly

    [IMDb]

Scottish comedian and actor Billy Connolly, who has appeared in movies like “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events,” “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” and “Brave,” was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013 at age 71. At the time, he was in treatment for prostate cancer.

“It takes a certain calm to deal with [Parkinson’s], and I sometimes don’t have it. I sometimes get angry with it, but that doesn’t last long, I just collapse in laughter,” he said.

10. Pope Francis

    [The New York Times]

Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936 in Argentina) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City from 13 March 2013 until his death from Parkinson's in 2025. He was the first Jesuit pope, the first Latin American and the first pope born or raised outside Europe since the 8th-century Syrian pope Gregory III.

Throughout his papacy, Francis was noted for his humility, emphasis on God's mercy, international visibility, commitment to inter-religious dialogue, and concern for the poor, migrants and refugees. 

(Source: Wikipedia)

11. Helen Mirren

    [Wikipedia]

Helen Mirren, the acclaimed British actress and Oscar Winner, has publicly revealed that she has Parkinson's disease and actively supports awareness and advocacy efforts through Parkinson's UK. 

In an interview with The Guardian newspaper Mirren described Parkinson's as a "slow and inevitable process", emphasising the daily challenges it presents.

She is actively involved with Parkinson's UK, supporting campaigns to raise awareness about the disease, promote early recognition of symptoms and encourage equitable treatment for all sufferers. 

12. Ozzy Osbourne

    [Instagram]

Musician Osborne was diagnosed with PD a few years back. He performed a 5 July 2025, farewell reunion concert with the band he co-founded, Black Sabbath, weeks before his death. The event raised over $190 million, some of which went to Parkinson's disease research.

(Source: MightyTogether)

13. Adolf Hitler

    [Wikipedia]

The German Fuehrer is believed to have had PD, and the condition may have partially influenced his decision-making.

Personal

Heather, my half-sister, suffered from Parkinson's for years and eventually became bed-ridden. She was cared for by her loyal husband Eric and son Cerith. Heather died aged 83. I attended her funeral, which was very moving, yet positive, followed by a splendid wake to celebrate her life.

Paul is a near neighbour and friend. He has been suffering from Parkinson's for a few years, but continues to live life to the full. He still drives and travels extensively with his wife.

Epilogue

A brief summary in Spanish for those who can or those who want to .....

Día Mundial del Párkinson

Este día se celebra cada 11 de abril, fecha elegida en honor al nacimiento de James Parkinson, el médico londinense que en 1817 describió por primera vez la enfermedad que lleva su nombre. La primera celebración se llevó a cabo en 1997 y estuvo centrada en la promoción de la Carta de Derechos de las Personas con Párkinson. Desde entonces, se ha convertido en una fecha emblemática para organizaciones de todo el mundo, que desarrollan una variedad de actividades, tales como campañas de concienciación en línea, conferencias, eventos de bienestar y recaudaciones de fondos.

[ANAFARMEX]    

© Paul Whitelock

Pictures:

AARP, ANAFARMEX, Biography, El Mundo, Evening Standard, Facebook, iNSTAGRAM, IMDb, Libertad Digital, New York Times,  Vox, Wikipedia, WPD, www.parkinsonseurope.org

Thanks:

Bing, MightyTogether, Paul Whitelock, RTVE, Wikipedia

Tags:

Adolf Hitler, Alan Alda, AARP, ANAFARMEX, Billy Connolly, Bing, Biography, El Mundo, Evening Standard, Facebook, Helen Mirren, INSTAGRAM, IMDb, Janet Reno, Jesse Jackson, Libertad Digital, Linda Ronstadt, Michael J Fox, MightyTogether, Muhammed Ali, Neil Diamond, New York Times, Ozzie Osbourne, Paul Sinha, Paul Whitelock, Pope Francis, RTVE, Vox, Wikipedia, WPD, www.parkinsonseurope.org

A STORY ABOUT THE MOON has knocked Trump's illegal attack on Iran and Netanyahu's war crimes in Lebanon and Gaza out of the headlines.

For the first time in 57 years man is to attempt to land on the Moon again.

Three male and one female astronauts from the USA are on their way as we speak, following the take-off of their spaceship Artemis II on Wednesday.

[Wikipedia]    

The human race is fascinated with the MOON. The word appears in so many phrases, idiomatic expressions and titles of songs and films that to list them all would be impossible. The same applies to the Spanish for Moon, ie LUNA.

But, let's have a try .....

THE MOON

In connection with the current activity of the US astronauts, there is a whole vocabulary attached: for example, MOON RACE, MOON LAUNCH, MOON LANDING, MOON BUGGY.

They are headed for the DARK SIDE OF THE MOON, which is of course a famous musical album by PINK FLOYD, and my personal favourite album of all time (see below).

There are different types of Moon: HALF MOON, FULL MOON; HARVEST MOON, BLUE MOON, CRESCENT MOON, WAXING MOON, WANING MOON.

1969 Moon Landing [Britannica]    

Oddly, there is a verb TO MOON, which means to drop your trousers and wave your bum around, and a MOON FACE describes a particular shape of a person's face.

In the world of entertainment there is the aforementioned PINK FLOYD album. "THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON" was the eighth studio album by this English progressive rock band, released in the UK in March 1973 by Harvest Records. Developed during live performances before recording began, it was conceived as a concept album that would focus on the pressures faced by the band during their arduous lifestyle, and also deal with the mental health problems of the former band member Syd Barrett, who had departed the group in 1968. It was recorded at the EMI Studios in London, later re-named Abbey Road Studios.

Album sleeve [Amazon]    

Pink Floyd - The Dark Side Of The Moon [Full Album]

The song "MOON RIVER" by Andy Williams, released in 1962, has become a modern standard. Composed by Henry Mancini with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, it was originally performed by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 film "Breakfast at Tiffany's", winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song. The song also won the 1962 Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. 

Henry Mancini "Moon River" (Official Visualizer)

"FLY ME TO THE MOON" sung by Frank Sinatra was released in 1964. Arranged by Quincy Jones and accompanied by the Count Basie orchestra, it was a massive hit. To date there have been over 300 versions recorded by other artistes.

Fly Me To The Moon (2008 Remastered)

In the world of film, we have the 1979 James Bond movie "MOONRAKER" with Roger Moore as 007, and "PAPER MOON", released in 1973 and starring Ryan O'Neal and his 10-year-old daughter Tatum O'Neal as two con artists. Tatum won an Oscar for her performance. Directed by Peter Bogdanovich.

moonraker film - Búsqueda

paper moon film - Búsqueda

Ryan and Tatum O'Neal in "Paper Moon" [Britannica]    

LA LUNA

Apart from the same phrases in English, also in Spanish, we have several idiomatic expressions, as well as some other uses.

On a car, LAS LUNAS are the windows and LA LUN(ET)A TERMICA is the heated rear windscreen.

LA LUNA can refer to plate glass, a window pane and the lens of spectacles.

[El Debate]    

Some modismos are:

estar de buena/mala LUNA - to be in a good/bad mood;

estar en LA LUNA - to have your head in the clouds;

hablar de LALUNA - to talk nonsense;

estar en LA LUNA de Valencia - to be in a dream world;

quedarse a LA LUNA de Valencia - to be disappointed; to be left in the lurch.

[Lingoland]    

© Paul Whitelock

Pictures:

Amazon, Britannica, El Debate, Lingoland, Wikipedia

Thanks:  

Bing, YouTube, 

Tags:

1969 moon landing, Amazon, Andy Williams, astronaut, Audrey Hepburn, Bing, "Breakfast at Tiffany's", Britannica, Count Basie, Dark Side of the Moon, El Debate, Fly Me to the Moon, Frank Sinatra, Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer, Lingoland, Luna, Moon, Moonraker, Moon River, Paper Moon, Paul Whitelock, Peter Bogdanovich, Pink Floyd, Quincy Jones, Roger Moore, Ryan O'Neal, Syd Barrett, Tatum O'Neal, Wikipedia, YouTube