Up and away to Madrid

Day 1

We woke up early to a fine day and were deposited at Heathrow by Harriet and Terry, thank you both very much.  The flight was great, we had a very nice lunch, yes really... And before we knew it landed in a bright and sunny Madrid.

We couldn't have asked for a better placed hotel, slap bang in the centre, between Calle Mayor and the Gran Via. We dumped our luggage and went out for a walk.  At 5pm we sat outside a cafe drinking coffee, it was 16 degrees and still light ..heaven.

Where do we start, they are all obsessed with food over here, it's great.  Everywhere you walk there are restaurants, wine bars, cake shops' chocolate and churros..yum. For those ladies who like shoes, it's heaven. Shoe shops on every corner, and the sales are on.  But of course Rod steers me away every time, which is probably good as I haven't got any spare room in the suitcase.

Thought it might be quietish seeing it was Sunday, but no, everywhere was heaving.  Slightly older ladies promenading in their fur coats, not PC but is Spain. Families running around, kids on scooters, youths making lots of noise, all enjoying themselves a lot.  People eating and drinking, and obviously not worrying that work was coming up the next day.  We found ourselves a fabulous tapas bar, chomped through various favourites and returned full. To the hotel quiet early, it had been a long day.   A lovely start to the trip.

Sitting outside 5pm having a coffee