Friday 20 September
We were up early this morning and work out how to operate the Spanish washing machine. What did we do before Google? Then a short walk to the nearest train station to purchase a four day pass and into town for our Madrid walking tour. Pretty standard stuff for these “free" tours. A uni student guide, but quite good and a donation at the end, so not really free. Angel (pronounced Angle) our male guide, studied in Scotland and I'm sure you can imagine what a Spanish accented, Scottish English commentary sounded like, but it's true – you can never get rid of a Scots accent. As a keen student of history, Flashy was enthralled throughout the violent and bloody history of Madrid, but Lady P fell asleep and only just managed to appear politely interested. She did however get the first of the tour's quiz question right – “Galileo” and Flashy followed up with the second -"Mercury (Hg)". She also managed to get some ‘window’ photos, must have over 2,000 by now.
The last stop on the tour was a bar and the buxom but very busy solo barmaid rewarded Flashy’s attempt at Spanish with the smoked salmon tapas and a wink. No mere jamon on toast for us. We head home on the metro at 3pm only to find them jam packed. Ah yes, the locals returning to work after the siesta. Luckily, the compartments are air conditioned. We decide a little siesta ourselves was in order too. We awake and dress for dinner and plan a seafood meal. Two restaurants stand out and read well on Trip Advisor. Too book or not to book that is the question. One says nay ‘tother says aye. The first choice is booked out so now a moot point. Nonetheless we make the call and think dos persona senior Roger gracias, will do the job. We train to La Latina, apparently the throbbing heart of the Tapas bar scene and whilst we had covered them more than sufficiently in Logrono, we came up out of the metro to a fairly desolate and dingy neighbourhood. I guess the other metro exit would have landed us in with all the action? Xentes Restaurant, a Galician seafood restaurant was around a couple more dingy corners and we duly arrive right on time at 8.45pm – a late dining time for us Aussies as you will all attest. Yes, we do have a reservation, but the restaurant is in darkness. Only the bar has patrons. They are delighted to see us and we are seated at a classy, made up table, one of about 60 seats and the only restaurant patrons. The automatic lights come on as we ascend the stairs. Not to worry, We have an entire conversation in Spanish and manage to order a jug of sangria, a delightful aperitivo of gazpacho and a share plate of fried sardines in garlic oil and little green fried piquitos peppers. Delicious. The mains are confit cod with a fine veloute sauce on spiced tomato and Monkfish medallions with green asparagus and an onion jus with fried potatoes. Both were excellent. The sangria tinto was a perfect balance of sweetness and spice, which lasted through the whole meal. By now, it's almost 10pm and the other patrons start to arrive for dinner. The kitchen is excited and Mamma is sad to see us go. A friendly farewell again in Spanish and €62 later, we emerge to catch the metro back to our apartment.
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