Made it to Madrid!

Tapas and pintxos anyone! How can I go past a market named after Saint Michael? It was wonderful returning to Madrid - and having enough energy to go out for an early dinner.

It had been a long day since the Beach Hut morning farewell 😊- in fact it was the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, and was the longest night in Australia as I left. Leaving Nowra, I had half the globe to cross!

The train journey to Sydney airport was scenic and subdued, with only my guitalele for company glancing at me suspiciously from the seat opposite - ‘you’re doing this again, Mike?’
The flight left on time, the service was fine and I watched ‘A Complete Unknown’ a couple more times time before landing in Dubai. Like a Rolling Stone indeed.

Dubai looked a little brighter closer up

The flight from Dubai to Madrid detoured south over Egypt (for obvious reasons) and after ‘seven flying hours’ landed in Madrid. 

The plane was on time - and my pack appeared on the baggage carousel. Thank goodness! 
I trained it to central Madrid and checked in at The Hat hostel close to the Plaza Mayor 

That’s me with the spire sticking out of my head, next to the statue of King Phillip III who cleaned up at the equestrian events at the Madrid Olympics in 1664. Then it was time for a beer.

With the limited energy I had left, I wandered over to the Mercado San Miguel for something to eat. 

I met a bloke from Chicago (also called Michael) He works as a high tech sports photographer/camera programmer - where he gets the cameras to automatically follow the players! He is heading to Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the next few weeks. Turns out he’s also a bass player and he has been a musical director. Entertainers watch out - here he comes, good guy 😂

Here’s an outside shot of St  Mike’s Market. 

It’s good to be back- and feeling even better after having had 12 hours sleep!