The is nothing like a day

 Yesterday was the Dia de Ceuta.  In so many ways this is a Spanish regional holiday that isn’t.  Apart from the fact Ceuta is in North Africa we have the fact we are celebrating a Portuguese.    Let us go back in time to where this all began.



Ceuta is a useful place if you are keen on having a hold either side of the Strait of Gibraltar.  Various people both sides of the Straits have been interested in it. Abu Said Faraj, governor of Malaga, conquered the place in 1306 and then the Marinids captured the place with support from an Aragonese fleet.  Enter King John of Portugal - in 1415.  



The Portuguese invasion, when England was all busy giving Shakespeare copy for Henry V - saw victory and the problem of who to make governor.  Lots of young bloods suggested themselves when up stepped Pedro de Meneses with a choca stick - think hockey - in hand.  The older nobles were excusing themselves the job.  Pedro was up for it and since then the zambujeiro stick has been a symbol of the governor’s office.



The enclave remained in Portuguese hands until 1578 when the crusading spirit saw King Sebastian killed at the Battle of Alcacer Quibir.  Portugal became another glittering gem in the crown of Phillip II.  So it remained, even after Portugal regained its independence in 1668. It was not always peaceful asMoroccan forces got involved in the longest siege in History - 1694-1727. During the Napoleonic War Spain allowed the British to occupy the place.




What of Ceuta.  It is 18.5km2 of land, with a population of 83,179, making it small, overall, but very dense. Since 1995 Ceuta has been an autonomous city. It exists as a free port within the EU, which is helpful.  It has a 25 seat assembly, being 18 PPs. 3 PSOEs and 4 regionalists. It sends someone to the Cortez.



What else can we add?  The population is mixed, with Christians, ethnic Sindhi Hindus, Muslims and Sephardic Jews.  It is surrounded by a 3m fence with two entry checkpoints.  Apart from Spanish. French, Berber and Arabic is spoken.  It is dead important for birds.


So ends the Ceuta gossip and so ends our days, rising 129m.

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