6/7 Sept Madrid - start of organised tour

Arriving at Madrid, we noted a difference in the city and the people.  To us, the Barcelona people were more relaxed, extremely helpful, ready to engage with Jonathan (and Emma) with the Spanish language amid lots of laughter and good humour.

In contrast, when we arrived at the tour hotel, 2 grumpy men told Jonathan to speak English and after checking us in, one said to the other in Spanish (which J understood) "we just have to herd them (tour groups) in like cattle".  While it might be true, it was inappropriate to say that in front of us I thought.  Thumbs down for these staff!  They didn't improve.

Added to that, the room was so small we could only barely walk around the foot of the bed to the other side.  The Internet only worked (off and on ) "more off than on"in the lobby.  

We did some exploring, found a place to have a snack, bought some goodies from the local convenience store and ( being experts on Metro now) bought some tickets to use later.

We met the tour director (Spanish J ) who has lived in England with his English wife for the last 30 years)  and the other members of the group for drinks and a light evening meal.

Sat 7 Sept Madrid

To me, this was really day 1 of the tour - but classed as day 2 by the touring company.  The morning was spent seeing the incredible buildings of Madrid and then stopping for a tour of the Royal Palace where no photographs were allowed.  It was an incredible experience. Each room seemed to be more amazing than the next and I truly thought if I had the private Palace chapel I could quite easily commit to spending hours each day there.  (Not likely to happen!)

The tour of Madrid city and the Palace was included but the trip to Segovia was an optional extra that J decided he didn't want to go on as he wanted to see the Prado museum in Madrid - and he wasn't interested in what was on offer in Segovia.

All of this seems fairly easy and logical doesn't it?

Before I go into "problem zone", I'll show you a photo of J and I outside the Royal Palace at Madrid. I ask that you take particular note of what I am wearing ( even though I think I've put on 10 kgs since J got married again).  I have a Bonds T shirt and shorts on and J has a T shirt and shorts.