Ah, Madrid!

Down for some work in Madrid tomorrow. I boarded the high speed train at 3 pm, after a lovely lunch with Dd in a new place (Tika-Trac) near the station on Numancia, and was unpacking in the hostal where we always stay at 6pm.

Shorts were the order of the day with temperatures just below 30c. The degrees lingered into the evening, here in Plaza Dos De Mayo, and everything that has always made Madrid one of my favourite cities was present . . . the spilling of its people onto the streets, the informality, the camaraderie, the openness to strangers, the alegría. It's so uncomplicated after independence-torn Barcelona.

Only six days until this year's 2nd of May! Won't be here though!

Plus a Madrid Malasana self portrait in extras!