I am not quite sure why I remember this story from a few years ago, but industrial action (or non-action) is currently very much on my mind. It is a hot summer, we already have a hosepipe ban and many unions are, quite rightly in my opinion, in dispute with Government for failing to address their demands for increases in pay and improvements in their working conditions. Teachers, nurses, doctors, university academics, postal and railway workers are all taking industrial action, and there are more strikes to come.

Once upon a time there was a Spanish civil servant, an engineer, who was asked to collect an award after 20 years of loyal service to the Spanish state. On further investigation by his superiors, it turned out that he had not appeared for work for the last six years, although this could possibly be as many as fourteen years, no one is quite sure. Someone seemed to remember him popping out for lunch one day, but then all recollections of him after his siesta appear rather hazy.

The 69-year-old engineer ‘worked’ for a Spanish municipality, but was later seconded to the local water board where he was asked to supervise a waste water treatment plant - quite an important job given that the good people of the municipality rather appreciate having clean water. Fast forward to 2012 when the engineer was due to collect a long service award. This was when the deputy mayor, who had recruited him in 1990, wondered where he was. He hadn't seen the engineer for some time, yet he was on the payroll. Maybe he had died?

No, the engineer had not died, but was living quite happily and continuing to draw his annual salary of around 27,000 euros. The engineer was eventually found and challenged, but could not answer a few basic questions, such as “What did you do yesterday?” or even “What did you do last month?” The engineer, who was suffering from depression, was stuck for words.

This week, a court fined the engineer the equivalent of one year of his annual salary, since it seems that he had not occupied his office for at least six years, although it could be as many as fourteen years. No one had noticed or, it seemed, cared.

In his defence, the engineer claimed that he might not have kept business hours, since he was the victim of workplace bullying; he had a family to support and felt that he would not get another job. In their defence, the council thought the engineer was the responsibility of the water board, whilst the water board thought that he was the responsibility of the municipality. It was rather a grey area.

Meanwhile, I am wondering who was the engineer’s line manager, and whether they skipped work as well? Of greater concern to the good people of the municipality, I imagine, is whatever happened to supervising the waste water treatment plant? Maybe the water quality in that area has been a little suspect for the last fourteen years?

Anyway, readers will be pleased to know that the engineer put his spare time to very good use. He spent it by studying philosophy and is now an expert on the works of Spinoza, the Dutch philosopher to whom we give thanks for laying the foundations of the Enlightenment. That’s all right then. I always did like a happy ending, although I really cannot say whether the engineer received the long service award, and yes, this is a true story. Now, back to all these strikes in the UK…

© Barrie Mahoney 2023

Join me on Facebook: @barrie.mahoney

To find out more about Barrie and his books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/

My first encounter with a squirrel was not a happy one. I was about five years old, and we had just arrived for my first holiday in Bournemouth, staying with my elderly great aunt in her Victorian home. I still remember entering the old house through a small conservatory that housed many glass cases in which were collections of stuffed birds and animals. I clearly remember several small birds trapped in a frozen, lifeless state behind glass walls; a beautiful fox with its mouth open ready to devour whatever the taxidermist had imagined when preparing the poor creature for display. To me, this later became the stuff of nightmares.

The one creature that I still remember in considerable detail, was a small red squirrel holding an acorn in its claws staring at me with its lifeless, glass eyes. This squirrel haunted me for my entire holiday and it got to the point where I could not bear to look at the poor creature; I ran whenever I had to pass by to avoid its sad stare. My great aunt's home represented a time when killing and sticking pins into butterflies for display, and installing birds and small animals into glass cases was seen as acceptable. Thankfully, some things have changed for the better.

Several years later, I had the opportunity to become acquainted with red squirrels that have become synonymous with Brownsea Island; that small, enchanted island strategically placed in Poole Harbour, Dorset. Brownsea Island is currently one of the few places in England where red squirrels thrive, although sadly I understand that many are now infected with a form of squirrel leprosy. As a visitor, and later as a teacher escorting hoards of children through the island’s woodland, the squirrels' playful charm and shy curiosity always entertained and amused us, but only if the children were silent. They are cautious creatures and only occasionally would they appear, much to the annoyance of my pupils.

When I lived in the UK, I often used to walk through woodlands, as well as more populated areas, such as the seafront gardens in Bournemouth where squirrels of the grey variety, who are even bolder and more curious than their red cousins, would compete with pigeons for pieces of sandwiches, crisps and any other goodies that visitors would offer them. In short, over the years I have fallen for the subtle charms of squirrels, of whatever variety. When we moved to the Canary Islands, I thought I would not see any again. How wrong I was!

During a recent holiday on the Canary Island of Fuerteventura, we came across many squirrels close to Caleta de Fuste, also known as Squirrel Mountain. These squirrels certainly put the UK’s grey squirrels to shame in their cheeky boldness as they deftly scamper up the arms of visitors to collect a tasty treat. These squirrels are the Moorish Squirrel or Barbary Ground Squirrel and use their many charms to endear themselves to both the locals and visitors to the island. Due to their trusting and endearing nature, they have become a considerable tourism asset for the island.

Fuerteventura Squirrels, or to be correct Barbary Ground Squirrels, are not native to Fuerteventura, but were accidentally introduced to the island in 1965 as escapee pets. The two pet squirrels quickly bred, the climate and food sources were acceptable and these endearing creatures have now successfully colonised much of the island. Indeed large yellow and black signs imploring visitors 'Not to feed the squirrels' are now becoming commonplace around the island.

In recent years, there have been serious university studies investigating the environmental impact that these illegal migrants have upon the island; I guess it could be described as a kind of Brexit plot against squirrels. I recall a time when university 'Media Studies' courses were regarded as frivolous and not 'a proper degree', but it seems that any subject can be the focus of degree status nowadays, and a degree in squirrelogy is clearly highly desirable.

In true human compassion, initial conclusions indicated that these delightful creatures should be exterminated and considered as pests. However, at the time of writing, I am pleased to report that after costing this 'remedy', it appears that it would be too expensive, if not impossible to carry out. The focus will now be upon ensuring that these squirrels do not develop a taste for the other Canary Islands and measures are in place to ensure that the more athletic squirrels do not paraglide into the other islands.

For these squirrels, the impact of the global economic crisis has been positive, since it seems to have secured their future in Fuerteventura. Might I also suggest that if this growing population becomes a problem, then some kind of non-harming birth control provided in their nuts might be the way forward?

There is no doubt that, despite squirrelogy, the Fuerteventura squirrel has won its place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike. Officials are only now becoming aware of the publicity value to tourism that these furry migrants bring to the island. Indeed, many are now suggesting that the squirrel becomes the official logo of Fuerteventura.

© Barrie Mahoney 2023

Join me on Facebook: @barrie.mahoney

To find out more about Barrie and his books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/