I had the park to myself as I ran first thing, I competently navigated the streets round the great pond to see the fallen angel and back; sun rising glowing and warming the cool air. At breakfast I tried a tortilla (omelette) competently requesting it in Spanish; really nice. Here’s ends my competence!
We headed to the Prado museum housing the largest collection of paintings and sculptures in Europe. We followed an audio tour around the museum listening to commentary about each masterpiece, its composition history and artistry. Interesting but overwhelming; the masters really are outstanding, amazing, perspective, detail composition, brushstroke, artistry.
I muddled painting, room and floor numbers succeeding in loosing and totally confusing us both! Eventually Simon in control, with an app and a hired audio collection guide we spent hours observing, absorbing lost in the art world, only scratching the surface of the collection! My favourites (3) boys on a beach by Sorolla, perspective of an open door in las Meninas by Velázquez and translucent angels surrounding Mary (title escapes me). Simon to the rescue! It was The Immaculate Conception of Los Venerables by Murillo.
Of course, so overawed we didnt take any photos!
In need of air and a drink we went to a cafe at the great pond in the Retiro park. Whilst I had the uniquely female Spanish experience lining up for the loo in the bowels of the park with immaculately dressed Spanish ladies sharing their snaffled napkins as the outside single paper dispensers were empty! Simon meanwhile enjoyed a cheeky beer!
Barcos closed!
So Simon created a walking tour passing through downtown Madrid. In the busy Puerta del Sol, just as an ambulance rescued a tourist, we saw the famous clock whose bells mark the traditional eating of 12 Grapes to toast the new year, the Madrid bear nuzzling the strawberry tree and found the symbol marking geographical centre of Spain ‘s roads. Apparently why Madrid was chosen to be the capital.
Passing the monument to Miguel de Cervantes with Don Quixote and Sancho in the plaza de España a lovely park lead past the royal palace; the long way back to the hotel!
Admin, blog and packing, or rather absence of packing, preceded dinner. We went next door to a traditional Spanish restaurant.
Early morning run to Retiro park
(Proof I didn't get lost! )
Prado museum, Retiro park
(Las Meninas; Boys on the beach; The Immaculate Conception of Los Venerables;
Our meandering route; Cheeky beer; Galapagos fountain)
Walking tour downtown Madrid
Puerta del Sol
(Downtown; puerte del sol plaza; 12 grapes clock; Madrid bear nuzzling strawberry tree; geographical centre of Spain ‘s roads)
Plaza de España
(Sabatini gardens; Royal palace; monument to Miguel de Cervantes with Don Quixote and Sancho; Don Quixote and Sancho)
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