Cont....
Monday 22nd March 2011
Caught the 8.44am train from San Sebastian to Madrid. Superb scenery over the mountains for the 1st hour. Plenty of leg room on the train even at a table with 2 other people. Train surprisingly busy!! 84euros each first class which included breakfast - how good a deal is that for a 5.5 hour trip? British trains take note!!
Arrived Madrid to find at some time a second half of the train had been added so a very long walk into station, and quite cold!
Taxi to hotel which was nice as this was our first visit to Madrid so gave us a chance to see small part of the city.
Hotel Melia Gran Fenix - very nice it was too and pleased I had managed to get a great deal through Trip Advisor. Hate to think what the rack rate would have been if we had just turned up. Only disappointment with the "superier room" was the bathroom which was quite small especially using the loo for a big lad like me!!!
Great bar, one of the best we have been in!!
Had a wander round the local area doing some window shopping and admiring the beautiful buildings. On way back to hotel I asked the present Mrs Scott where she would like to eat that evening - her reply was that she fancied a burger, so "Hard Rock Cafe" it was then!! Don't know what I am going to do with her!!!
Wednesday 23rd March 2011
Raining & cold!! So brolly up, overcoat on and off shopping as nice and warm in shops!! 1st stop was for another large holdall bag (2 now) then off in the general direction of Plaza Major. Beautiful buildings all over, terrible traffic!!
Bought another bag full of clothes and a couple of watches. I was the winner for a change, about equal now!!!
Eventually get to Plaza Major, which was a little disappointing as not nearly so nice as the one in Salamanca where we watched the final of European Championship a few years ago!!
Back to hotel for a couple of drinks and lo and behold we find a "friend" from Sotogrande there, Sandro (the mad German) how spooky is that???
Thursday 24th March 2011
Big re-pack of cases now we have 2 extra holdalls for all the shopping!!!
Check out of hotel and leave bags there (6 including our rucksacs) as train to Malaga not until afternoon, so another wander round local area (different half). Found the local market and was very impressed with the quality and range of fish, fruit and vegetables on offer. Not so impressed with property prices in the area - 650,000 euros upwards for a 2 bed apartment!!!
Final bit of shopping was a jewellery shop next to hotel - Mrs Scott in front again!!
Off to train station for final leg of trip to Malaga to find standard class, 1st class both full!! Managed to get two seats in club class!! Amazing how popular and on time trains are on the continent!!
to be continued......
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