Among the roses

We had planned to spend the morning looking at modern art at the Reina Sofia. Somehow nether of us could face it. We decided to forgo the pleasure and to seek some green space to calm our home sickness. Rather than the obvious Retiro, we headed for the Parque del Oeste.

The Temple of Debod, donated by Egypt to Spain before it got flooded by the Aswan, was unfortunately closed.

It sits overlooking the Casa Campo

We wandered around, enjoying the trees and calm and found ourselves in the rose garden. well past it's spring prime but still some lovely flowers. It was good for us to be wandering among the roses, so we spent a bit of time doing so.

We eventually had had enough, bought some picnic makings and headed for the Campo Del Moro. Named after an event in the 11th century....names stick.

Again we enjoyed the peace....

and the gardeners riding around in carriages....

we found a picnic spot and lunched...

followed by more trees...

Finally we left the way we had come and walked up to the more formal Sabatini gardens.

and managed to catch the end of a changing of the guard....

Later we met Marga and Pablo for chocolate and churros. They took us to the top of the Corte Ingles where you get  a view of the city. Lovely way to finish our last full day in Madrid.

Travel day tomorrow, probably a goodbye for now.