Had to slip another aqueduct shot in. Marjan decided that the sign in the gardens outside the Alcazar would be perfect for home to stop the dogs peeing on the lawn
I had to explain that it just means "keep off the grass".
We had a final cuppa....where else.....
And headed out of town. Within minutes we were at the lovely town of San Ildefonso. There is a Royal Palace here that is well worth a visit...from memory. We passed it by as we wanted to leave ourselves plenty of time for Madrid traffic. It was a lovely drive though through the yellows and red of the autumn trees. We were soon heading up into the pine covered higher areas to the Puerto de Navalcerrada. It is 1880 metres above sea level and so the pass would be the third highest point in Victoria. It did not seem that high because Segovia is about 800 metres and Madrid is not much less.
On the way down we kept seeing Guardia Civil traffic guys, one followed us for a while. I was getting very nervous that I was doing something wrong. Needlessly in the end. We had decided to drop the car off at the airport rather than Chamartin railway station. Not sure how Chamartin would have been but the airport was fine. Well it was after we got to the well signed rental drop off area and had not found a petrol station to fill up, so out we went and did a lap of the airport to come back with a full tank.
Barajas is huge now. The metro at the airport is fantastic and we got tickets and boarded. Well at least Marjan boarded and I was left on the platform. Whilst waiting for the next train, a mere five minutes, I remembered all the stuff I had not shared with Marjan; my spanish mobile number, the names and addresses of anybody in Spain; the place we were going to stay at; the location of my last will and testament...well you get the idea.
Sense prevailed and Marjan got on at the next station, much to our mutual relief.
We had a couple of line changes, which went fine and a five minute walk to our apartment. Madrid made an awful impression. It is a dump. Seriously smelly, rubbish everywhere. The cleaners/rubbish collectors are on strike and the place is truly awful.
Amalia, our landlady, met us at the apartment and showed us around. It is actually her house and she moves out to her mother's place, a few doors up, whilst we pay the bills. Both she and the apartment are lovely. We are only two minutes walk from Plaza Mayor.
We dumped our things and Marjan had a chocolate and churros in Madrid. We then walked....to the San Miguel Market, Atocha, along the Paseo del Prado past all the museums to Civeles, up Alcala to Sol and back to La Plaza Mayor. Our feet ached.
On the way Marjan spotted another sign she wanted for home.
Anyway, we found the supermarket near us, bought some supplies and had a home cooked meal. Greens....yummy greens......I of course had some morcilla to go with it, but there were lots of greens.
Anna arrives tomorrow, so that should be fun. Might switch the telly on to see if the strike is over. I hope so, because Madrid does not deserve to remembered like this.
Adios. Por favor dejar feedback (do the accent), nos gusta leer vuestros comentarios de nuestras aventuras.
Ps. All this cured meat, wine and three course meals means I have lost 2Kg. Thank you Amalia's scales.
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