Seville Day 5, 30th August 2013

Great sleep last night, really loving a really firm mattress. Today was checkout from our Hotel; Petit Palace Puerto Del Sol and onto Seville. Negotiated Metro easily to the Main Station, Atoche Renfe and as we have found so far, Spanish system on time. Left at 9 for 2.5 hour trip in 2nd class, ( as per our station in life ) which was extremely comfortable. All other train trips to come are 1st class but booked out for this leg. Countryside is very dry due to warm summer and it was enjoyable seeing the various olive, fruit tree orchards dotted along the track with quaint and often dilapidated old buildings and farmhouses. Got a real kick out seeing a number of goat herders with their multicolored flocks in the fields.
Into Seville and short taxi ride to hotel, another Petit Palace which was an old convent, marble etc, beautiful. See the view from the bedroom window, better behave even if it is my birthday.
Off on the trail and this city is more haphazard than Madrid with narrow very windy streets, nearly run down a couple of times by scooters. Finally found a laundry to do some washing but shut, must be working on Spain time:-)
Went to Cathedral y Giralda, third largest in the world, amazing is the only description, words won't cover it have look at some of the photos. The view from the tower, built by the Moors in 1125 was a good view of the city. Then off walking, ending with vino blanc and tapas for dinner. Sat next to 2 retired POM's from Perth, who were on their way from Portugal to France for a month, he was very funny. Then wandered down to the river to catch the 9.30 cruise to end the day and actually found our away back to hotel, a feat in itself.
Till tomorrow, bye. :-)

Train ride

Damm to slow to show

Tapas for lunch

Tower at Cathedral

Inside Cathedral, Chris Columbus buried here.

Incedible ceiling

Famous Goya

View from tower

Great pair knockers

Likewise

Madrid Day 4, 29th August 2013

Off early this morning as we had booked a tour to Toledo, ancient city about an hour from Madrid that contains all 3 major faiths. Sorry not Klingon :-) . Typical coffee, croissant and OJ and hit the trail with José driver and Teresa guide. City and buildings amazing with narrow steep streets and alleyways. Very touristy though which was a tad disappointing but buildings, churches and art work great ( famous for greatest el Greco painting in church). Damm;  charged wrong battery last night, but don't worry people, spare body and battery on hand so no lack of images.
Back to Madrid mid arvo and a bit of lunch with customary cirveza, then off to find laundret which did not prove successful or harmonious. :-)
Hit the road again and visited the modern Caxiaforum art gallery (check out the hanging garden) which had brilliant exhibition on George Melies ( check out Hugo movie, French movie great ) then wound our way back to hotel through alleyways and bars ( just may have stopped at one for more ham, cheese and vino :-) before retiring for the night. Not too late as off on train to Seville tomorrow and a sad farewell to Madrid.
Oh and Paul have I got some knockers for you :-)

Toledo Spire

Toledo Govt office

Alley way

Exit from Toledo

View from Toledo at Tigras river and old bridge

Caxiaforum Museo

Why do I have choices to make when on holidays

Someone couldnt even wait for a photo

15th century knocker

Very classy knocker

Coming to a blog near you soon, utility covers of Spain.

Madrid Day 3, 28th August 2013

Well started as usual by awaking early followed by brekky in cafe. Every place we eat in I'm surrounded by meat,lovin' it. Sorry Michelle,  :-) Getting into habit of pastry, coffee and OJ and then off on the adventure.
Today we decided to follow son Alec's advice, who was here only a couple of months ago, and go to the Museo Sorolla; WOW.!!!! It may:-)  be just Jane and I as we both really like Impression but this little gallery in his original house was just memorable , both for the beautiful paintings and the history of the place and family. A must see for anyone coming to Madrid.
I will do separate post for Sorolla.
It was then onto the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu  ( home of the real Madrid FC ) followed by more coffee , bread and whatever. It was a bit of a grey day so decided to do  the Palacio Real, but a stop too far on the metro meant more walking and we stumbled past the Parque Del Campo Del Moro which was beautiful and gave a lovely view of the Palace. By now the sun was out, so this must mean up hill walking :-)  and we came across the Crypt at Almundena Cathedral which looked cool and inviting. Spectacular inside.
By the time we got to the Palace was time for quick bite and water ( can't believe how much I'm drinking ) and then a couple of hours touring the Palace. Amazing place as you would expect, but no photos allowed inside. The Amoury was unbelievable with amour from El Cid and all through the 1500's and on. Can't believe how interested we BOTH were in it. Not enough time to spend in that one part alone.
By now late arvo so time for cirveza ( great place to drink surrounded by jamones ) and then a siesta, really getting used to this.

After Jane's siesta we went to the tapas market, which is a little tourist orientated but heaps choice in one place. Couple vino's, numerous tapas and a gentle walk back to the hotel where Jane decided to retire for the evening AT 8.30 !!!!!!!! . I then went back out for a few hours and got some good images accompanied by a couple of vino tinto's.  :-) . Love this city.

Of course I haven't forgotten you Paul.

Please let me know if photos aren't good as I'm using mobile version of Blogger and shrinking images for upload. They look OK on my tablet but its screen is only small.

Brekky surrouned by Jamones

Street art

Museo Sorolla

Metro Estadio Santiago Bernabeu

Parque Del Campo Del Moro looking up to Palace.

Crypt at Catheral

Gold, gold, gold ....

amazing

Palacio Real de Madrid

Brick cieling arch from below

Cirveza surrounded by more meat.

Paul's

Tapas market for dinner

More food

Opera House at sunset

Statue in Palace Square

Heaven 

Street Performer

Crazy

Why?, cause I can

Madrid Day 2, 27th August 2013

Got up very early this morning (5.15) after looovely proper sleep. Madrid doesn't start early we have now found out so finally some brekky at a little cafe in Plaza Mayor and then a walk while waiting for sunrise  to take a shot of the Plaza. Jane already sick of me taking heaps of images, but she'll get used to it. :-)   Only 362 today :-) Stopped for at 2nd coffee at StarYUK'S on the way to the gardens, NEVER again.

A lot of walking today especially the 'art' precinct. Went to the Museo De Prado for a few hours in the afternoon after walking around the Botanic Gardens ''Real Jaredin Botanico'' and the ''Parque Del Retiro'' which was enourmous and beautiful with the most delightful and never ending  box hedges and large trees 'everywhere'. It also contained the Palacio De Cristal and a large monument to Alfonso XII.
Viewed the city from the old post office, now restaurants and galleries ,after glass  lifts and finally many stairs. Finally finished the afternoon with another ride on the hop on hop off bus, but this time to different areas, before retiring to room for siesta.

Followed this with tapas and cirveza for dinner followed by more walking around the city. Fantastic fun and just cant see enough.oh well retiring for the night and looking forward to tomorrow.

oh and of course, another knocker for Paul.

Cafe for brekky

Plaza Mayor

Patterns in everything. Old wall.

Botanic Garden

Palacioo De Cristal

Feeding sparrows in Parque Del Rettiro

Lion knocker

Lovely ice cold cirveza

Drying ham everywhere

View of Madrid from old Post Office