Day 10. Monday 17 March.

A freezing, damp day (max 7)…a rest day of sorts: but we did have to pick up our lease car. We travelled by metro and bus across town to near the airport. 

Contrary to advice, our travel card couldn’t be used for the bus trip part, but we were able to pay cash. We worked out later it was probably because we were going out of zone: we did know there was a three Euro extra charge for metro to the airport. D was surprised that all the other passengers boarded to the back of the bus. The possible answer came once we took off: the driver steered mostly with one hand, used his mobile and not once kept to the speed limits! Fortunately, T couldn’t see this.

The pickup was in an underground car park, and we received a comprehensive brief before heading off – well, far enough to stop to input our destination. Our navigation aid was sometimes a bit tardy and a bit vague, so several times we missed turns. It was a bit off putting to be told to turn left at the next roundabout – you actually, of course, go right and take (usually) the third exit. But T picked that up very early.

So we arrived back, ready to tackle the underground parking. Key inserted to open the gates, but by the time D had returned to the car they started to close. T then stood at the gates holding the key in. A second key opened the doors to the lift, and the car just fitted in. Doors closed as a staff member frantically waved about (as we eventually discovered) ‘emissions’. He arrived in the parking lot with more gesticulations as D was trying to do a three point turn (it would have actually needed about ten turns) to be able to drive straight out rather than reverse. More waving, and the penny dropped: the concern was CO build up, so engines are stopped in the lift and as soon as you enter the car park.

So now the rest day can start – well, after a shop for some supplies and a coffee at Monkee. And planning for the next stage(s) begins.

Dinner: Salmon tail baked in lemon and butter (wrapped in foil), potato, carrot, Brussels sprouts, fresh peas with a Carrizal Reserva Rioja 2018.

Magic moment: And of course D had serious ‘charging equipment’ at hand (love it the way this guy has most bases covered).

A few reflections/observations on our time in Madrid.

Our apartment was just fine – small but adequate. It was mostly quiet, and we felt secure. We were proximate to a housing apartment complex of several buildings of about nine stories, but the environment was likewise orderly and sedate.

We became very comfortable traveling on the Metro. It is a fabulous system, and was clean and felt safe. On only a couple of occasions were the carriages full, and we were often offered seats when there were none free. Our local metro station, Canal, was just a sort walk from the apartment.

Language was not a major issue, although we – and our interlocutors – occasionally struggled. But we got by, and there was usually a smile or giggle.

In the area we were in there was no big supermarket like Woolies. The closest was a Carrefours, which more more akin to an IGA. There were also a couple of smaller supermarkets – say, like a 711 – within easy reach. Fruit and vegies were a bit problematic but there were small Fruit and Vegetable shops that had a good range, and available in individual pieces (eg one carrot, rather than 2 kg prepackaged).

Traffic seems to have its own set of rules but is at the same time quite orderly. We’ll see!

As a guesstimate costs are not dissimilar to Australia, or perhaps slightly higher in some cases – except for wine. We have enjoyed a range of very acceptable reds with prices as low as three Euros (about $5.50).

And lastly, the locals have been very friendly and helpful when we’ve interacted, and have left us alone otherwise. A couple of times we were offered help when it was obvious we were bemused (directions and using the Metro card top up system, for example).