Madrid and Segovia

So, we arrived in Madrid late in the evening and then queued for over an hour to arrange our tickets to Barcelona. They really don´t get queuing in Spain. So, to make it fair in the stations they have a number system. Of course this only works if those serving pay attention to it and not the loudest and most persistent person in front of them. Anyway that and the heat in Cordoba just about finished us off. We found our hostal and flaked out in front of the football. Wandering around Madrid we were struck by its youth - much younger than roman Cordoba etc. Surprising that it is the capital. It feels like it would be a better place to live than to visit. We wandered all day on Saturday, found a market and bought provisions, found a nice park for lunch and then went to the Reine Sophia gallery in the evening and saw Guernica and assorted Dali´s, Miro´s and Picasso´s. Then out into the teeming streets to find tapas and cañas - tiny little beers. Madrid is packed on a Saturday night, especially Plaza Santa Ana which was just near our hostal, with everyone from locals to American tour groups and English bucks nights. Sunday we explored the beautiful old botanical gardens and then the lovely park just next to the Prado. Lazed around reading and people watching until the free session at the Prado where we were very impressed by the el Greco´s and lots else besides. They also had a really interesting exhibition on renaissance portraiture. Some excellent Tapas and cañas rounded off a very nice day indeed - especially the grilled asparagus.

Segovia, an hour and a bit on a bus from Madrid, is a stunning town. Mainly due to the most awe inspiring roman aqueduct running from the walls about a kilometer off out of town. Absolutely amazing engineering. The only down side was the rain. First day of bad weather we have had and did it rain. Turns out the arches of roman aqueducts provide insufficient shelter in heavy downpours. We got a bit wet. But not before we had explored the town and seen the astounding cathedral and the Alcazar which is a real sleeping beauty castle with witches hat turrets. We headed back early due to the rain, which followed us back to Madrid. More early morning high speed train adventures the next day - on to Barcelona.