15th - 27th June 2008 - Madrid; the Bathroom Trip

Two weeks is quite a long time without a bathroom. OK, maybe not for a student or an Eco-warrior, but for most people, having to go about their daily business with no ablution facilities at home presents a substantial challenge. It also presents quite a challenge to anyone unlucky enough to have to work, travel on the tube or share a restaurant table with you. So when John, our excellent plumber and all round good egg, told us it would take approximately eleven days to rip out and re-fit our (only) bathroom we had to come up with some kind of work around. When he told us his daily rate plus VAT we had to come up with a small lottery win.

What could we do about going to work and being allowed into public spaces generally when we hummed like dead dogs? The solution was quite clear; get out of the house for a fortnight while John smashed it up. How though? Just go and lie low somewhere for two weeks in June. No problem, have a holiday. The real issue then; how to go on two weeks holiday when all the spare moola we had, and a good deal we didn't have, was to be used to pay for the very reason we needed to get away? Enter Frank and Ana on white chargers.

During our last trip to Madrid a few weeks earlier the dilemma was discussed and they stepped in with the solution – come stay with them. And so it was that for the second time in about six weeks, we were packing our bags and once more heading for Madrid, this time for the best part of a fortnight.

‘But it's Euro 2008’ said Lynda, ‘and football is your life. Will you be OK going away’?
‘Worry not my beloved’ I reassured her. ‘Spain is in the tournament, Frank and Ana have a rather large Panasonic TV, and my favourite Italy shirt is very portable’.

We were beginning to get pretty good at this problem solving lark.

So early on a Sunday morning, cases stuffed with an assortment of goodies for everyone and a few bits of clothing for ourselves, we once again rolled into Barajas Airport still half asleep from getting up in the middle of the night. Frank, good on him, once again provided the transport facilities and he, Sofi, Andy and Carla were waiting for us as we stepped through arrivals with our pantechnicon-like baggage trolley.

Lots of hugs and kisses with the rest of the family blew away any sleepy cobwebs and very quickly we got down to the business of a cold beer on the terrace and catching up on the doings of the last few weeks. The briefest welcome was from Pablo, but not through any lack of affection, rather because he had been and needed to remain for at least another week, closeted with his school books and Mum as they crammed and crammed for his exams, which he was in the middle of. They were very important exams and it's no exaggeration to say that his academic future at his school depended on good results. This was then the tone for Pablo and Ana for the first five days of our stay; a hasty hello followed by a disappearing act into the dining room for hours of study. Thank goodness I don't have to do that anymore. I hated school and the work involved and just watching Pablo made me shudder.

After our last trip Lightning and I chatted about the possibility of getting a special surprise 'something' for the kids, from him, Maz, Lynda and me - specifically a trampoline. Frank and Ana have enough garden to more than easily accommodate a fairly sizeable one with room to spare. So in the weeks between the two trips, I got on with tracking down a trampoline deal and Lightning took care of logistics. The result of this activity was that on the Tuesday following our arrival in Madrid a lorry arrived bearing a seventy-five kilo package, which was left on the drive for when the kids came home from school.

Tension and curiosity become intense

The excitement was high when the kids got back that afternoon and they skipped around the box, trying to guess its contents. Eventually it all got too much and the ripping and cutting kicked-off, revealing the 10 feet diameter surprise. We knew it meant that Lynda and I would be assembling the thing straight away but it was well worth the effort. A couple of hours later the trampoline was up and getting seriously bounced on - by those under the one hundred kilo weight limit that is, ie everyone except Frank and me, both of whom are a few grammes over the odds. The kids were delighted though (including some of the big ones - Lynda, Ana, you know who I'm talking about!) and it was all we could do to get them off it that night. The next day the safety net was successfully installed and we all felt a bit more comfortable knowing that the twins were unlikely to fire themselves backwards onto the ground whilst performing some terribly technical manoeuvre.

Let the bouncing commence

That coming weekend Ana and Frank had planned a visit to Valencia, Ana's family home, mainly to celebrate Ana's mum's birthday along with Ana's many brothers and sisters. It would also provide an opportunity for a short stay at the seaside for us all. The few days leading up to our departure were taken up with Ana and Frank working, the kids going off to school, albeit on reduced hours, Pablo and Ana continuing their studies, Pablo sitting exams and Lynda and me taking care of a range of domestic activities including painting Sofi's new bedroom, and a bit of washing and ironing. And of course there was a lot of bouncing !! The highlight that week was Italy seeing off the French in the Euros. The tournament had been a good one so far, although Italy's slow start and aging team were concerning me a little. Spain, Holland and the Russians were looking very tasty and it was starting to look like they could well produce the eventual winners.

Friday afternoon came and with it our departure for Valencia. When Ana got home from work the cars were loaded, walkie-talkies tested, everyone had a wee and we were off. Although Ana passed her driving test several years ago she hasn't driven since. For some time though she's been talking about buying a small automatic car and using it for pottering around locally. Well she'd got around to it and on the drive and at our disposal for the duration of our visit was a sparkling Citroen 'Plurial'. Convertible, automatic and great fun, this was to be mine and Lynda's transport to Valencia, following Frank and the rest of the family in their monster-sized Nissan. It was also for us to use for the duration of our stay although we didn't make much use of it to be fair. In all honesty these two weeks was 2008's holiday for us and so we had come out planning to take things a little easy and spending some much welcome fun time with Frank, Ana and all the kids following a very, very busy year to date both at work and at home. We weren't too worried about day trips and excursions (other that the trip to Valencia which was great) and hoped really just to laze around as much as possible with the family.

The 'Plurial' - our transport for forseeable future trips to Spain

The drive to Valencia was a bit of a pain in the arse. The first day of the school holidays had predictably brought hoards of Spaniards onto the Autovia Del Este (A3), one of the main arterial roads out of Madrid and route to Valencia and points south - Alicante, Benidorm, Javea, etc. A normally three and half to four hour trip took us closer to seven. Apart from being able to watch a few minutes of one of the quarter finals on a TV screen, the jam-packed “travellers’ rest” - type motorway stop wasn't particularly restful and certainly not gourmet! Never mind, it almost filled a gap.

We reached Valencia gone eleven that night feeling hot and very tired. The hospitality of Ana's sister Bea and her best friend (also called Bea) was very welcome. The two Beas have back-to-back apartments on one of Valencia's beaches, which they'd kindly offered to us for our stay. They've given us use of the apartments on a previous stay while they de-camped to a small village in the hills above Valencia where Bea also has a lovely house, also their destination for this visit. That night then we flopped and slept like logs.

All of Ana's family are the most hospitable and generous people you could hope to meet. Nothing is too much trouble for them and they are great company too. Lynda and I were really glad then that we could be part of a gathering of them all, and their thirteen kids for this weekend's festivities. Before that though we had a Saturday on the beach to enjoy, and enjoy it we did. The sun shone, the water was warm, the playing about was great fun and the Fideua (a typical dish from Valencia where noodles are used instead of rice in a paella-like dish usually made with seafood and fish) at a beachside restaurant (Ristorante Llevant at Alboraya Beach) was spot-on. A pretty perfect day.

A welcome ice-cold aperitif in anticipation of the Fideua

The next day, Sunday, was the party and the venue was Ana's brother Pepe's house, normally twenty minutes drive from Valencia, but on this occasion closer to an hour and half, partly due to its fairly hard to find location and partly because of our navigator, Ana's youngest sibling Maloles. She is an extremely likeable and funny girl that has the advantage of speaking good English and not taking things too seriously - especially directions!!

When we arrived the music was already playing, the pool was full of kids and the smells of delicious food were wafting from the kitchen. Pepe has a lovely family and an equally lovely home. He, his wife Mara and their children Daniel and Julia are warm, welcoming and fun, which was pretty much the tone with everyone for the whole day. Pepe and Mara had very kindly organised two enormous Paellas for us all, which everyone set too appreciatively, the adults around a large table under Pepe’s new veranda and the kids scattered around various tables in the garden. Try as we might there was so much wonderful food that we couldn’t finish all of it, and after a rousing thirty-voice rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’, munching birthday cakes and present opening, we all ended up in Pepe’s pool. The events were rounded off with a charming violin recital by Daniel and then lots of pictures of Grandma (‘Abu’ is the affectionate Spanish expression) and her many grandkids. What a really lovely day.

Fun times at Pepe's house

A very lucky family - and that's not all the grandkids !

That night though was reserved for more serious matters. Football. Frank had negotiated for him, me and Pablo to watch the game at Maria (Ana’s sister) and her husband Coco’s apartment, who as well as being extremely nice people with two sweet young boys, have the added attraction of a 43inch Plasma TV. Their apartment is in an excellent location near to the Port, a modern shopping centre and overlooking the new Valencia Formula One circuit, currently still being built. We were well fed and watered and enjoyed the game together. A really great end to a great day. Before we left though, Coco kindly invited us to come back the next night for the big match as far as we were concerned; Spain –v- Italy in the Quarter Final.

The Port and new Formula One Circuit as glimpsed from Maria & Coco's balcony

A beautiful sunset on Alboraya Beach

That day was spent having a good look around Valencia’s port area. The last few years has seen billions of euros poured into the city and the results are spectacular. The science area with its opera house and sea life centre and much more are really amazing. Stunningly innovative architecturally and beautifully executed they could so easily have been out of place amongst the more traditional apartment blocks. Instead the whole thing works really well. We also spent time looking at the huge boat hangars, built for last year’s America’s Cup and now likely to be permanent features.

Valencia's modern port area

Later that evening, decked out in Italy shirts and loaded with beer and snacks we arrived for a tense but enjoyable match, joined by Max (more about him later), another of Ana’s brothers, Pablo and a sister, Angeles. The game eventually went to extra time and then a penalty shoot out. Trying to be quiet so as not to wake up two very young sleeping children during a penalty shoot out between your respective teams in the quarter final of a European Championships is, to quote today’s management-speak, a challenge. We failed, as too did Italy who missed two of their five penalties, thus ending their challenge and the hopes of millions like us. For two years anyway – see you in South Africa in 2010. The girls meanwhile had spent the evening wandering around the refurbished seafront, stopping at the evening craft market and diving into a restaurant in time to catch the penalties!

The next day was yet again gloriously sunny, perfect for wandering just a few minutes away from the apartments to Port Saplaya, a complex of Italianate painted apartments with balustraded balconies; bars and restaurants. It was built some thirty years ago but cleverly constructed to look much older and all gathered around a calm and beautiful port. We parked the car and immediately bumped into Max, who when not being architect indulges his real passion by teaching sailing and board surfing at the Port’s school. He kindly offered us a trip in a sailing boat which we arranged to come back and take him up on at the end of his teaching day later on.

The beautiful Port Saplaya

Frank, Pablo and I re-appeared at the port at five, Lynda and Ana having stayed behind at the apartment to keep an eye on the three remaining kids plus Pepe’s two. Having never sailed I was really excited at the prospect of going out in a boat, although to be fair it had always looked like really hard work to me. The prospect of an engine has always been more appealing. It was however a really lovely experience with Max patiently talking us through everything and making sure we all had a turn on the tiller and the various controlling ropes. He never did tell us where the swords were kept though. An hour later we sailed back into the harbour puffed up with pride at our nautical success rather like latter day Drakes, Chichesters, or even Jack Sparrow. Wet but really delighted with the experience we packed away the sails, secured the boat and had a celebratory beer.

It has to be said, we were brilliant at sailing

Frank - the Tiller girl

Packing up afterwards

That night was the feast of San Juan, when local tradition is for everyone to hit the beaches in the late evening to picnic around bonfires. These are no ordinary picnics though. We saw tables of people tucking into Paellas they’d cooked on the beach, barbecued sausages and other meats, breads, cheeses and all manner of wonderful goodies. The smells were fantastic and so were our rolls, which we greedily tucked into as we sat around our own improvised bonfire. As the evening grew darker so the bonfires became more beautiful and soon we were holding hands, singing songs and laughing as we ran around the fire. Things got a bit more hairy when the kids started jumping over the fire although I had a go too and luckily none of us were in the slightest bit singed. The kids kept disappearing and returning loaded up with bits of wood, which we thought it better not to ask where they were finding it. Eventually way past midnight fatigue, the smell of smoke and the vast quantities of sand in our underwear got the better of us and we dragged ‘home’ for our last night’s sleep in Valencia.

Toasting the tootises around midnight

The next morning we re-packed the cars and drove back to Madrid. This time the traffic was light and we made it back in time for lunch.

Where the first week had been very much dominated by Pablo and Ana’s marathon exam prep, the second was very much taken up with holiday plans. Frank and Ana had decided to book a last-minute break the start of which would coincide with our last day in Madrid. Various destinations were being considered but eventually a Danube cruise won the day, which was duly booked. It was all a bit confusing but luckily Ana seemed to know what was going on so she was left to it. The packing frenzy then began in earnest.

Lynda and I occupied ourselves very much in the same way as the previous week, much to the delight of Sofi in particular whose new bedroom was finished very much to her satisfaction. This week’s highlight was the children’s exam results. A huge whoop of delight from Pablo’s bedroom on the Wednesday morning confirmed that he’d done well; his grades being more than enough to meet his school’s requirements and his, Ana and Frank’s expectations. To celebrate, Lynda and I invited the family to a bit of a treat that evening – a kebab. Later on then we met Ana from the train and fell into the favourite kebabbery and gorged ourselves senseless on bits of lamb and chicken washed down with carafes of wine and shandy.

Kebab Queens !

The next day was once more all about football. That night’s huge match was Spain –v- Russia in the second semi final. A place in the final against Germany on Sunday was at stake and we were not going to miss this game. The tension had been rising as much as the temperature in Madrid and it was on a baking hot evening that we settled down to watch the clash. I don’t know what we were nervous about as Spain trounced the Russians three-nil. It was a walk-over, the Spaniards driving into the final in the same excellent footballing manner that they’d got through the competition so far.

Friday morning was packing day – a ten minute job for us but a deal more difficult for Frank, Ana and the kids who were packing for Valencia, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Vienna and many other European cities, the itinerary for which is far too convoluted to mention here. It was so hot again; even standing still out of the shade was hard going. Ana got home nice and early from work and by two o’clock Lynda and I were waving the family goodbye as they sped off on their epic journey in a car stuffed to bursting with bags, DVD players, personal stereos and people. A couple of hours later Lynda and I made the trip to Barajas airport using the excellent public transport network and having got there and checked in a fair bit earlier than we really needed to, settled down for the wait till take-off.

Despite having been delayed an hour making our arrival into Luton a very late-night one, the place was heaving with people. Luton Airport has for the last thirty years felt and looked like a building site that constantly struggles to cope with the volume of passengers travelling through it. It certainly can’t cope at the minute, and the twisty turning passage ways and stairs you’re forced to drag your cabin baggage along make it feel more like a nineteen forties airstrip than a modern twenty first century airport. The operators should be ashamed of themselves, as too should those charged with processing the passengers on arrival into the UK. Endless queues await those landing here, and to think we used to criticise US Immigration for making us hang around to be let in!!

We fell into our house at around one thirty in the morning and rushed in to admire the luxury of our new bathroom. We realised all hadn’t gone completely to plan when we saw John’s note on the stairs advising he hadn’t got on as well as he’d hoped. That was a fair assessment really. He’d done a huge amount of work, and what he’d done looked great but finished he certainly wasn’t. At least he’d left us in a state that literally if not financially, we had a pot to piss in. But he was back in bright and early the next morning to do some more and is there this week as I type getting the remaining few things sorted. We’d had visions of getting home and needing only to worry about what towels we’d use so we were understandably a little disappointed at it not being finished. That’s no reflection of John and his abilities though as even a DIY idiot like me can see that there’s a mountain of work to get through and perhaps he’d simply underestimated the scale of it. Never mind, it’s going to be lovely.

And the European Championship Final? Spain saw off the Germans one-nil. A great victory not only for a great young team, but for football generally. They were by far the best team in the contest, and one that other countries should not only look to emulate, but also to fear in the next World Cup.Thanks to Ana, Frank and family for their love, fun and hospitality; only a few weeks till we’re next together again and we can’t wait. And thanks also to Ana’s Valencia-based family for once more extending their warmth and generosity to us. We very much look forward to seeing you all again soon, either in Spain or in England.

Goodbye Len - 4th May 2008

The common theme through all these blog entries is the fun that Lynda and I have had with our great friends and family. We were devastated then when one of the noisiest and funniest of everyone we've spent time with, invariably in the company of Sandra and Bryan, finally succumbed to to a bastard disease that he and Angie had fought bravely against for the past three years. Sadly that illness meant that neither he or Angie were able to join us in our most recent trips, which explains their absence from these pages for some time.

Much has been said since you left us Len; tributes, poetry and the re-telling of very, very funny stories involving you, all of which have really said everything there is to say. We won't forget you and you'll live forever in the endless recollections to come. So all we can add then is "Goodbye mate and thank you. It's been a privilege".

30th April - 6th May 2008 - Kebabs in Madrid

Regular visitors to this blog will know that we visit Madrid a lot, and, splendid place that it is, the real draw for us, once again regulars will know, is the fantastic time we have with our marvellous family based there. We never go to Madrid expecting to laze around toasting in the Spanish sun for days on end. Nor do we want to. On the contrary, four kids, all high on ‘e’ numbers and the adrenaline of youth guarantee a better work-out for us than any we could get from any gym or personal trainer. Crafty blighters that they are, the kids, realising they out-grow traditional piggy-back rides, being swung around in circles, held upside-down, etc, are constantly coming up with new ways of torturing our aging bodies. This trip introduced their latest physical punishment, innocently called ‘Dodgeball’ – a kind of tag but with missiles. The kids threw everything they’ve got and we took it all, but our most tested and abused muscle, the one that took the greatest punishment by a long way, courtesy of Ana’s cooking, the local restaurants and our abnormal appetites, was most definitely the one that holds are guts in and our trousers up. Am I complaining though? Am I hell !!

To share the experience with us we were really lucky to be joined by Lightning & Maz, who at Frank and Ana’s invitation were making their first trip to inland Spain. So at a time when normal people are asleep, we were heading to the airport with cases and bags jammed into every available space – the car’s not ours. Although it was Lynda’s birthday, it was so early that the celebrations had to be put on hold till later on. Much better to do it with Ana, Frank and the kids anyway.

Despite us having a hire car Frank still drove up to meet us at Barajas Airport, and it was great to see him once we cleared Customs. Apart from leading us back to the house Frank’s vast car also made light work of the luggage, which piled up outside arrivals must have looked like Victoria Beckham had popped back for a few nights. Painful though the early start is, the pain is completely outweighed by having a full day when we arrive, even if we were only good for eating and drinking. Back at the house we ditched our bags and cracked a few beers (and coke for Maz) on the terrace where shortly after Pablo pitched up and joined us. What a handsome and strapping young man he’s turning out to be. Bright, funny, articulate and bi-lingual – at 13 years old he already makes me sick !! Actually, all of the kids are lovely - beautiful, great senses of humour and wonderful company. But it's no real surprise really when you consider who their Uncle is.

Pablo's the one not wearing a hat

A splendid lunch marvellously prepared and served by Frank followed, after which Lynda and me went with Frank to the school to collect three quarters of the female contingent – Sofi, Andi and Carla. Three lovely girls who can look like butter wouldn’t melt in their mouth, they are not to be under-estimated in their capacity for fun and mischief – and long may it continue. Back home and a couple of hours of messing about with kids later, Ana turned up to make the reunion complete. The kids must have been bursting with the thought of getting into our cases, where they know from experience would be several packets of goodies for them. They are really good though, although in the past we have found them head first in the luggage.

As Ana busied herself in the kitchen later on, Pablo and I sneakily decorated the dining room with ‘Happy Birthday’ flags and banners to surprise Lynda with. Another splendid meal, birthday cake, wish-making and terrible singing later, it was into the lounge for some frenzied wrapping-paper ripping. Buying presents for the whole family is easy; they love everything you give them, especially the kids who were soon modelling their new clothes, decorating their hair or trying to jam new films into the DVD player. Frank by this time was straight into the iPhone we’d bought out for him – they’re not yet available in Spain – but rapidly discovered that despite being unlocked and checked in the UK, his Spanish sim gave him all of the phone’s functionality except for the tiny matter of making and receiving calls. More on that later.

Happy Birthday Lyndy

Lightning can't bear to look ......unlike the kids with their presents !

Nice shirt Sophie. Not so sure about the hat Lightning

The following two days were public holidays, the first a national traditional Labour Day-type thing, the second a Madrid specific day to mark the bicentenary of Napoleon and the French being lobbed out of Spain. Whatever the reasons, it meant that the whole family would be around until Monday, which was great news, and we all made the most of the time off.

Who needs an alarm clock?

Thursday morning’s breakfast done and cleared away, we loaded the cars and despite fears of Bank Holiday traffic jams we had a relatively straightforward run out to the granite palace of El Escorial, now in fact a world heritage site. This amazing former monastery in the countryside half an hour or so North West of Madrid has been the final resting place of the Spanish kings for years and years. http://www.travelinginspain.com/el_escorial.html has the details. Despite the building itself being closed – there’s logic, public holiday + world heritage site + marvellous weather = close a massive tourist attraction – the sunshine and surroundings still made for a great day out. We picnicked in the hills above El Escorial, feasting on a wonderfully improvised lunch which just kept coming and coming out of Frank and Ana’s cool box.

The weather was still glorious on Friday morning, which boded well for the festivities planned in Madrid that day and night. After spending the day running ourselves ragged in the garden with the kids, we spruced up and drove into the city to join the thousands and thousands of Madrillenians swamping the streets. Plaza Mayor was completely packed with people enjoying a re- enactment of some Franco-Spanish argy bargy accompanied by a very loud band, cannons and firework display. Overcome with excitement we fell into a bar and decided it was time for dinner. Considering how many people were around we were very lucky to get into one of chain of ‘Museo De Jamon’ restaurants for a very enjoyable selection of typical Spanish dishes, as well as even finding Bacon, egg and chips on the menu for two of our number. Have a look at http://www.boo.com/madrid/restaurants/Museo_del_Jamn for reviews and an indication of prices, etc. Full and very contented we made our way to Cibeles, one of the city’s main squares and watched a display of acrobatics, giant mechanical people and fireworks (the Spanish love fireworks and do them so well) before a pleasant stroll back to the cars, then home.

Some splendid Hams

Two more

A Saturday morning ritual at Frank & Ana’s place is a trip to the local swimming pool. There is in fact a fantastic set of outdoor swimming pools and bar only about ten metres from the end of their garden, but as these have been closed for a re-fit for at least the last year it’s been a case of heading into town to one of the municipal places. Equally excellent but indoor. Today the girls were going for a dip whilst the chaps (minus Pablo who was busilly cramming for exams) took care of the grocery shopping. So, whilst the ladies trotted off loaded with towels and cossies, we jumped in the car and shot off to a nearby hypermarket.

Despite having a reputation to the contrary, blokes are actually rather good at shopping, preffering to shop according to what they like rather than what’s needed. Ever the multi-taskers though, we managed not only to pick up (almost) everything on Ana’s list but also managed to top up the trolley with some very scrummy nibbly stuff, some interesting looking wine and a couple of cases of beer. Our return to the house coincided perfectly with the girls coming home, so after a bit of preening, blow-drying and careful application of lipstick we boys were ready to walk into town for a beer. There’s a really lovely outdoor bar/restaurant about ten minutes walk from the house, the name of which I’ve never actually found out. It has the advantage of being located between a kids’ play area and several roller skating rings, all of which observable from the bar’s tables and chairs. Whilst the kids enthusiastically skated, swung and shouted we equaly enthusiastically drank freezing cold beer. Amazingly though the kids became very tired and needed to come and sit with us just as the tapas nibbles we ordered arrived at our table !!

That evening we took another walk into town, this time for a bit of local shopping. In the Madrid equivalent of “Poundstretcher” Lightning managed to find the most amazingly tacky electronic bingo game. We just had to buy it, and that night after another superb Ana dinner, we settled down with the kids for a session. Having been a bingo caller in a former life, Lightning relished the chance to relive his past and sooner had us all whistling at “Legs Eleven” and quacking at “Two little ducks”. So much pleasure from so cheap a bit of plastic.

Ana and Lyndy reviewing the day

The fine weather continued into Sunday and after a relaxed morning around the house and a splendidly cheffed BBQ – well done Frank, we loaded the cars and drove to El Pardo about twenty minutes out of town. Former hunting land of previous Spanish kings and latterly a country retreat of General Franco, El Pardo is a beautiful sanctuary from the capital with formal and natural landscapes, stately homes and pleasant restaurants. A drink and a walk, then posing for some silly photos and we were ready for home. I usually do some small domestic chore when visiting Frank and Ana, be it cut the grass or put up a shelf or something similar. I wasn't quite prepared though for Ana's request that evening. Andi had a school project - would I help her to make a musical instrument? Stick to what you know best I thought and so having scoured the house for various components it wasn't too long before Andi had a splendid guitar to show off at school. And the verdict? "Looks like a robot" was what one of her chums thought. Make your own mind up when you see the picture below.

Real Madrid relaxing on their day off

Monday morning was beautifully warm, and Lynda, me Lightning and Maz had promised ourselves a trip into the city centre. The kids were at school, Frank and Ana at work so it was an ideal time to go for an explore. We always take the open bus rides when we go away if they’re available. Taking in the sights and being able to jump on and off as you like is a real bonus when exploring any city, especially when it's hot, as Madrid can be. One of Lightning’s favourite games though is switching the laguages on the commentary when you’re not looking. Bored with just annoying us though, this trip saw him doing the same to other passengers, including some French tourists who naturally thought the whole thing was so hilarious. I have to admit it was very funny and it tickled Lynda and me, leaving us giggliing like school kids for some time. Lunch was once more at Naturbier. I know we always go there, but it's so good. We had a great tapas-style lunch including far too much seafood platter and possibly a beer too many? The beer in fact is too good, after three I was barely able to walk to the loo!! Go to http://www.naturbier.com/en/presentacion_en.html to find out more.

That bar !!

That night was to be a special one. The kids, particularly the twixies had been looking forward for ages to 'teaching ' me how to eat a kebab properly. You may know from a previous blog visit that one of the family's favourite treats is a visit to the town's local kebab shop for a splendidly cheap and delicious meal. Truth be told, after our last visit, we were really looking forward to going. Well I needed to know how to eat one properly because using a knife and fork on my last visit had made me something of a kebab-pillock in the eyes of the girls who were now determined to educate me, Lynd, Lightning and Maz. We're quick learners and very soon our faces were decorated with garlic sauce, bits of onion and poorly aimed pieces of lamb. The girls were proud of us. They even made syre before we went out that their dresses were appropriate and made them look the part for kebab munching, and look it they did. What a really lovely evening. The food was great but the company and the laugh were fantastic.

The next day being our last we decided to do a bit of shopping. So Frank chucked us in his wagon and took us to a nearby retail park. Whilst the three of us drank coffee, discussed Plato, science and the meaning of life, and arranged a football match for later in the year in the UK, the girls shopped till they dropped, which with our girls isn't very long. They need to learn that all day shopping requires a great deal of physical training, such as in the picture below.

The manly approach to shopping

Sadly, there was barely time then to get home, pack, collect the kids, give them a huge goodbye hug before Ana scuttled home from work and we were making our way to the airport for the trip home. We'd had a great time as always with Frank, Ana and the kids. Thank you so much as ever for looking after us so well and for being such a joy to spend time with. Having Maz and Lightning with us was a real treat and for their company too we're really grateful - must do a few more trips like this soon. It's always really sad for us to be leaving Madrid, but this time we had the consolation of knowing we were going back in two month's time. We can't wait !!!

And the iPhone? Well luckily for Frank he has low friends in high places, one of which laughed at our feeble un-locking attempts and in no time was able to get it doing exactly what it's meant to. I was very relieved I can tell you - for a while I really thought I was going to have give Frank his money back !!