Plaza del Emperador Carlos V

After going to the Egyptian Embassy to complete the first step in the visa process and then a cafe con leche and churros, we walked through El Retiro park. Such a beautiful park to have in the centre of the city! Then strolled on to the Reina Sofia Museum to appreciate Picasso's Guernica another time. At least I think it was the second time, but Bb and I couldn't quite remember! We indulged for the first time (for sure!) in a 'bocadillo de calamares'/deep fried squid sandwich, which is definitely a Madrid thing. It would never grace a Catalan menu. Or if it did, it would be on 'pan con tomate', which I think would add to the already delicious taste! This photo was taken on the square at the entrance to the museum. We're now back near our hotel and have just wandered round the Mercado de San Miguel, which is a beautuful old market building, tastefully done up as a kind of indoor market of tapas stalls. As the sun was out by this time we sat on the terrace in front of the market for a liquid refreshment, a read of the papers and to charge up our iphones. We both still have to back blip for yesterday as we used our big cameras and it's a bit less convenient to blip on the hoof.