061 Spain: Madrid

 Spain: Madrid

Madrid and the surrounds have some amazing, if underutilised infrastructure (the roads are very quiet - everyone must be at the Costa's - Brava, Del Sol etc.). A brand new high speed train links Segovia with Madrid and within 30 mins we are there at only the cost of E12.
It was like being in an aeroplane, with assigned seats. Top speed is 320km/h but we only reached 249. There was an 18km tunnel. Now that has to have cost an arm and a leg to build

The security guard got cross with us for having our camera out. He told us no photos but it was too late as we'd already taken this. There were no signs to say you couldn't plus there are photos on the web. We think this must date back to when there was the bomb on a Madrid train as you also had to scan your baggage\handbag etc.
Better safe than sorry.

Absolutely no idea what this is a photo of!!!
but it is impressive :)

Third most important palace in Europe, according to the guide book. Certainly wasn't the third most impressive - the Habsburgs got everywhere.

Got to love that hat.
and so trim a figure, ha ha

We had an amazing time on a tour of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. 

The amount of silverware was extraordinary.

Frank planning tactics for the next game

So Frank tells me to go down the stairs and take a photo of him. So I do. As we are leaving he checks for his phone and it is gone. It fell out of his pocket during this photo. Well you would not believe the lengths we had to go to to get back in and establish this was his phone. The security at this place could teach Obama's security guards a thing or two!

 and finally in the press room Frank is asked his opinion of the transfer of Di Maria to MU.

While we only spent the day in Madrid we certainly could see the allure. Plenty of shopping. Wide streets. Lots of character. Not one of the great cities of the world but certainly a place to go.