Vehículo cortasetos.

On the way back from Mahon we managed to overtake a tractor, only to end up behind this municipal hedge-trimming jobbie, driven by someone obviously new to the job. The cutting arm when extended makes the cab tilt dangerously, and when it gets stuck in some branches threatens equilibrium completely. It was quite a steep hill, and the vehicle began to roll backwards, much to the consternation of the car behind, which also started backing. We had no room to also reverse, being closely tailgated by a string of cars (and the tractor). In the midst of this chaos, the driver of a car trapped behind the aforementioned tractor decided to hell with this, and overtook the tractor, the line of cars, and this maintenance vehicle at great speed, on a hill, just before a sharp blind corner, and crossing double white lines. What could possibly have gone wrong?
Earlier, OH had been going for a doctors appointment in town only the be told the doctor's not in today. Luckily he managed to get a repeat prescription from one of the other medics. Outside the surgery he saw "an old woman" trip on a crossing and fall flat on her face (splat!) with cries of puta! and the like. He ran to help her up, for which she was grateful, and seemed shaken but relatively unscathed. A driver blocked the road from other cars and also came to see if she was ok. This concerned and helpful attitude is the norm here, and one of the reasons I love living on what is in effect a very large village island, with none, or little, of the big town mentality of ignoring the plight of others. When I used to visit the UK I was always shocked at the quantity of beggars and rough sleepers, as if it were a third-world country. None of that here, and older residents get quality care and respect. When I heard what had happened, and congratulated OH of stepping in to help, I did ask what he meant by an "old woman". Turns out it's someone like me. Hmmm.
Final weirdness of the day was in Mercadal to collect the prescription. They are very particular in the pharmacy (as is the law) and insist on masks and hand sanitising. A "chavvy" (I know, I can be a snob) English couple lurched in, unmasked, the woman covered in bites and bruises and coughing up a storm. Luckily the pharmacist prevailed upon them to mask up. We're all doomed...