Tuesday July 14th

Different city different language different climate. Actually found the airport OK from Oxford, it was well signed and Rebecca’s map spot on.

Hertz! Returned the car with the minor scratch on the plastic strip attached to the door, put through the third degree like a criminal and then told the charge would be 125 UK pound. Suggested this was ridiculous as it was not the door just the protection strip. Made to look argumentative as it was all in the computer. This required a phone call which went unanswered (obviously to put us under pressure, although and from our first experience we knew calls went unanswered for ½ an hour). In the end we just with a warning that we disputed it and for them not to just put it on our card. Won’t be using Hertz again!

The Plane‘s business class was not much above Qantas domestic cattle when the middle seat is free.

As soon as the plane flew over the Spanish border it was obvious that it was hot dry and brown and the taxi ride confirmed this.

As we had booked an apartment without a lobby we had to wait for ¾ hour for the girl to come and let us in and first impressions were average at the best. The complex only had a door way entry which although freshly painted was bland and the cafe next door, outside where the taxi drew up and where we went into to catch a bite whilst we waited; was dingy, greasy and full of smoke. Silly us, on leaving the café, I noticed the deli on the other side of the door way, clean neat full of wholesome food and a smoke free zone.

Senorita (pretty) arrived and showed us inside and up to our attic apartment; astonishingly well appointed roomy and almost brand newly renovated. Michele was amazed and Geoff again took all the credit. Kitchen, living room, bathroom, and generous outdoor patio (too big to be called a balcony), down stairs and large mezzanine bedroom upstairs. The only minor dilemma is the head height, or lack of, Geoff’s side of the bed.

Had a walk around the centre of town, we are close to both the main downtown plaza’s, Sol and de Mayor. Time is different here as the afternoon seems to start at 4.30 pm and runs to 9.30 pm after which everybody goes out to dine. So our 4.30 start rather than being late-ish was spot on. A lot of construction work underway including the Plaza de Sol, just like King George Square. A number of the streets running off the square are malls and most of the others are traffic constricted, it all very pedestrian friendly. Dined (early as it turned out at 8.30) in the Plaza, de Mayor, which reminds us of the Plaza san Marco in Venice for size and arrangement of restaurants.

Wednesday July 15th

Slowish morning and made use of the pasteria next door for breakfast and awaited Lesley’s, Michele’s sister, arrival from New York. Quick dash upstairs for the cab fare as she did not have any Euros (*!*for those who know Lesley).

By the time she settled in it was 3.30pm before we ventured out and we quickly learnt about siesta time, it was bloody hot and nothing was open. We won’t make that mistake again.

As Lesley went to bed early Michele and I ventured out to dinner looking for all the al fresco restaurants we had passed on the way home the night before. Where were they? All we could find was a few open. Lesson two, at 9.00pm precisely, tables and chairs materialised out of nowhere and the streets (laneways really) quickly filled. Tomorrow night we will dine later.

Found Madrid fascinating, all the windows with wrought iron balustrades, and enormous wooden or metal doors at building entrances. Impressive public and commercial buildings and a generally happy and carefree atmosphere. You have to watch for cars creeping up the laneways and streets and also for the scooters some of which are actually bigger than the motor bikes.