Yesterday and today have been spent sightseeing. Hop on Hop off bus got us around. Visited the Royal Palace today - as all these European palaces it was obscenely exotic. It's always hard to understand how the people who built these places reconciled their consciences when there must have been the most awful poverty around them. Actually haven't seen much evidence of poverty in Central Madrid - very few beggars. The city is simply overflowing with people doi...

As a sporting fringe dweller, I have to say I've had the best time tonight. As always the best things happen without any planning. We're currently watching Real Madrid thrash the pants off San Larenzo. Arrived in Madrid this afternoon. Went looking for paella tonight. Found a bar and lots of locals watching the game. So.........guess what!! Two hours later we're still here - no paella but great steak and lamb chops - oh....and fairly good red wine! Ain't ...