We are trying to be cultured today

We set off for the Reina Sophia contemporary art gallery to see Picasso's Guernika. Took us a while to get there to find it closed hurrumph.  Never mind, instead we looked in on the Atocha railway station.  As with every other building here, it is massive, with a small botanic garden in the middle, and a lake with terrapins.  Wild.

There is a lot of police activity going on in the city. Not surprising really with what happened in Paris, and of course here a few years ago.  I do wonder if they know something we don't as the civil guard are out on the streets.

We spent the two hours walking through The Retiro park. It's called the lungs of the city, and well needed with all the traffic.  The park wasn't at it's best being January. But still a lovely walk, I can imagine what it is like on a Sunday with everyone and their aunt promenading through.

It has a crystal palace based on the British one and of course the famous boating lake. Also an art gallery with a brilliant sculpture exhibition.

Chueca and Malsana are two hip (that's what the guide called them) areas, slightly north of city centre.  We spent the afternoon wandering around these areas, really enjoyed them and it would be a good place to stay if you were spending any time in the city.

On the way back to the hotel we discovered the mercado St Martin at the back of us. A foodies paradise, where you can have wine or coffee and graze the stalls full of seafood, empanadas, tapas and cheeses.  Oh we had to stop for a bite.

Oh my poor feet are throbbing, we have walked miles and miles today.