Got up and did on off tour of Madrid.Madrid is a very beautiful city incitfully noted by C its similarity to Paris and found that the architech of modern Madrid was influenced by Baron Hausmann who designed alot of Paris .It was the worse tour we had had because the taped commentary was in tune to where we were.This only was an irritation as the city did its own talking.I knew we had been climbing but Madrid is at 630 meters and has spread to 550 sq kms so a massive city.
However we were only concerned with a relatively small area.As mentioned before we are situated right in the center. Madrid and Spain of course has a huge artistic history and alot of this captured in small area called the Callee de Prado ,where there are three of best art galleries in the world ,with goyas picassos etc and you probably have guessed ,yes closed on Monday .Madrid is a real city of two people the ordinary shops close around 7.30-8 after 2 off for siesta. At around 8 ish the other market starts and the various street performers come out .A great city at night also.
Had 2 great meals ,tapas at a tapas bar then a great meal near our hotel that included 3 fantastic different opera performances.C still struggling with bloody cold,so hard getting going for Valencia today.The drive out of madrid was trouble free even though pretty busy and roundabouts with I presume about 5-6 lines but no markings but the driving quite good.The drive to Valencia pretty boring for 2 hrs all cropping and very tough looking villages then suddenly changed to vineyards and then the famous Valencia oranges.We discovered that our hotel is a sort of hostel for men from over Europe working in Spain. We didn't venture out after getting here ,C had a much needed rest after little sleep the previous night.There is a huge project going on ,with a brand new fast rail line going in between Valencia and Madrid ,so that was some thing to gawp and gasp at on the drive.
In the information about Valencia we found that moto GP is on this weekend can you believe it.

 
 
 
 
Madrid plaza Mayor some random chick 17th century frescos

 
Guggenhiem abit like te papa all talk and no do

 
livind dog at Guggenhiem Bilbao

 
beach groomed for day

 
be good at Ngawi

 
 
 
 
prominade Biaritz and cool sand sculptures