Waking early, I had one last early morning jog to the end of the golf course and home. Comforting to run the familiar route through Rotherwick buffeted the storms remnants as the sun was contemplating rising. I'm not sure what the unexpected traffic made of the mad woman running, thankfully I'd donned my reflective band.
Chauffeured in style to the airport by our son, we we're grateful our carefully packed luggage breezed through checkin. Unfortunately at security the official kept asking me for biscuits. Thinking I must have secreted a cereal bar in my backpack or handbag we looked, checked, then rescanned and checked my bags again and again; chaos causing contraband turned out to be SIS electrolyte tablets!
We had great seat pods on the flight. Much to everyone's amusement I had great fun pressing all the buttons trying the various seat positions from upright for take off to fully reclined! A hidden table discovered, just in time for a lovely meal with great chocolate torte (my hi-light). Not sure the steward thought so as I took too long eating!
After a bumpy descent we tried our Spanish in the back of the taxi to downtown central Madrid. I regreted my inattentive student ways as Simon conversed fluently with the taxi driver!
Room secured and hand bag retrieved we wandered out to visit the famous park El Parque del Buen Retiro. Originally a royal hangout, created in the 17thCentury (1640) it was the stage for garden plays, reinactments and concerts. We found the strawberry tree that the bear leans against on the Madrid crest. Hopefully we will return to enjoy a row on the great pond; especially as I managed to enquire in my best Spanish!
Wandering the streets we stopped for tapas outside watching Madrid walk buy. I thought of mum, today marks her first birthday since she passed. The rain held, but despite sweaters the falling chilly dusk sent us scarpering back to the hotel, in search of warmth and rest for a dodgy sprained ankle. Hopefully a distant memory of a strenuous tennis match by Manchu picchu!
Iberia airlines funky seats!
(We are off London airport; Seat pods on iberia airlines; Seat settings!)
El Parque del Buen Retiro
(Strawberry tree from Madrid crest; Estanque grande boating lake as was; And now; Fountain in Retiro park)
Madrid
(Congreso de los Diputados; Neptune's fountain; Monument hindering fallen against Napoleon; Stain glass window in our hotel!)
We stayed at Catalonia las Cortes in Madrid near the old town.
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