Friday 8 April

10-26C

This morning we went to Toledo, pronounced Tol-ay-do, which is an old walled city above the Tagus river and was made famous in El Greco's painting.It's like a great open air museum of Spanish history and art.Toledo is in La Mancha and has a population of 82,000.It's main produce is wheat, olive oil and wine.El Greco (his real name is Domenico el Achocor (spelling not correct)) lived half his life in Toledo arriving in 1877. He was commissioned to do a lot of art work for the cathedral and has 3 masterpieces - 1 in Toledo, 1 in Madrid and 1 in Amsterdam.The cathedral is the richest in the country with 200 kilos of gold, silver, rubies, diamonds and other precious stones in it.The cathedral is full of El Greco paintings, the crown of Queen Isabella is here and there are many interesting carvings.We had a guide take us around the cathedral (and the town) which was really good because he explained everything as we went along.Much more interesting than walking around yourself and just looking.We were not permitted to take photos inside the church.We headed to a museum where there was a really large painting of El Greco's which the guide explained and pointed things out.It was really interesting.Once again we were not permitted to take photos.Then we went to the Jewish the quarter and saw the Santa Maria Blanca Synagogue which looks like a Christian church on the outside.The reason for this is a while back (centuries) everyone had to become a Christian or leave the country so the Muslims who stayed and didn't want to convert built this church to make it look like they'd converted…..pretty tricky!There were lots of narrow streets, one so narrow you could touch the walls by stretching your arms out.We went onto have a look at a factory where men put gold onto just about anything. It was very delicate work and you'd have to have good eyesight.It was interesting watching them work but it was a bit rushed.Mum bought herself some jewelry.In all of the walled cities we've been into in the last fortnight, all the streets are cobblestones or rock so it's pretty hard going on the feet.Today was no exception…..my feet are so tired.There's a bath in the hotel room so a good soaking sounds like the go.Mum has gone out this afternoon on an included Madrid sightseeing tour but l've opted to stay in the hotel, besides, we did the hop on/off bust tour when we first came to Madrid and this one is not going to be any different.Tonight is our last night with the group and most of the people leave tomorrow but we stay for another night then fly to London on Sunday.There is two women friends who are doing exactly the same thing and they're even staying at Paddington probably just around the corner from us! My cold's starting to get better today.I went to a Farmica (chemist) yesterday to get some antibiotics which they sell without a script.Pretty handy so l'm going back today to get some more to have on hand.Oh, and l've even got one lady who's on the tour, and her family praying and lighting candles for me to get better quickly….isn't that lovely.The weather has been perfect today.