OUR LAST VISITOR

The LegsyBoys' earlier than expected departure from Iberia has caused a few  headaches when it comes to visitors. Sister-in-law Nereda had planned to visit us in July en route to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo (I guess she likes drummers!), and thus Nerrie became our last guest at Casa LegsyBoy. From the minute she arrived at Barajas until her departure 10 days later, we gave Madrid - and Barcelona - a good going over.

Can you spot the happy tourist?

Fancy that, it's Nereda...

Tapas in the Casa LegsyBoy sunroom

We eased her into things with a night of family revelry before hitting the tourist trail. The weather was glorious as we strolled past Madrid's famous landmarks - Plaza de Santa Ana, Sol, Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace and the Mercado de San Miguel.

Spectacular Madrid wall ceramics

Plaza de Santa Ana

Kilometre Zero

Plaza Mayor

 

Mercado de San Miguel

Madrid's Coat Of Arms

Legends Of Flamenco

Nerrie got to experience a Spanish lesson with a difference; we all met Angela (our tutor) at the newly re-opened Museo de Archaelogico and for a couple of hours she explained the museum to us in Spanish before we all retreated to one of Madrid's funkiest eateries - La Gabinoteca - to celebrate. It was great company, great food and great fun.

Angela, Nereda and Team LegsyBoy

The gang

The house specialty

Yep, it comes in a baby food jar!

La Gabinoteca's famous hot dog

 Nereda had 2 wishes, firstly - not too many museums, and secondly, was there any chance of getting to Barcelona for a GAUDI EXPERIENCE. I reluctantly planned around the first and we all excitedly headed off to Barca on the AVE fast train (a mere 330kph!) for a 3 day visit.

Waiting to board the AVE to Barcelona

Atocha (Madrid) Station - simply magnificent

I have to say that Nereda is always great fun to be around, she's such a positive person, but in Barca we struggled to wipe the smile off her face! Our apartment is nice and central, an easy walk to wherever, although looking out from the balcony reminded my somewhat of a Hitchcock movie!

Like an extra in a Hitchcock movie - but which one??

We strolled up La Rambla (as one does) where she got her first glimpse of Gaudi - the 'dark period' Palau Guell.

Outside Palau Guell

Joan Miro footpath art, La Rambla

 We swanned around the fantastic fresh produce market and popped into Escriba,the fabled 190 year old chocolateria and patisserie, for morning tea.

THAT's what I call a cake

Mmmm, mmmm

Check out the price!

Fresh zuma anybody?

Where are we??

We wandered up to Casa Batllo to whet the Gaudi lips before catching the metro to the great man's masterpiece - La Sagrada Familia. The cathedral is a jaw dropping sight as you exit the metro. We didn't go in when we first visited, so this time I'd booked and if it is breathtaking externally then inside is just as spectacular. (TRAVEL TIP: If you wish to go into the cathedral - and you do! -and up one of the towers, it is ESSENTIAL you book online beforehand, otherwise you'll spend all day waiting in a queue). We climbed (in a lift) one of the spires for magnificent views over the city. The man was a genius!

Don't even ask!!

Tribute to Ned Kelly!

 From the cathedral, we strolled down to the beach for dinner al fresco - a perfect day.

Parc Guell overlooks the city and is magnificent. The fact one needs to be a mountain goat to reach (even allowing for escalators to help with the climb) it didn't detract from the experience, and Gaudi's innovative use of ceramic tiles is striking. (TRAVEL TIP: Only 400 people at a time are allowed into the Parc, so once again it is ESSENTIAL to BOOK ONLINE well beforehand. AND - allow plenty of time to get there and take a bottle of water with you!!).

 Nereda's Gaudi experience has been a great success, but we've saved the best for last. We drop her off on the doorstep of Casa Batllo.

Meanwhile, the LegsyBoys head out to Camp Nou to do the Barcelona FC tour. The kids are in their element and have their photo taken with golden boy Messi. The arrival of Fang, aka Luis Suraez, has gripped Barca and his merchandise is everywhere. The tour is good but not in the same class as the Bernabau (Real Madrid) tour.

Home team's race

Waiting to be interviewed

Gun and future gun

Victor Valdes' gloves - WOW!!

 

Painting a thousand words!

 

Superbly merchandised...

...but what an appalling away strip!

We catch up with Nereda and, as expected, she has been left agog at the sheer outrageousness of Casa Batllo, and it is the cream on her Gaudi cake (anybody who visits Barcelona and doesn't go inside is derelict in their duties as a tourist).

 We end the Barca experience with dinner at another iconic location - El Cuatro Gats. A favourite of Picasso, Gaudi, Lautrec, Hemingway, Dali, the LegsyBoys and a veritable 'who's who' of the art and literary world, we enjoy some wonderful Catalan cuisine. Nereda makes a special trip into the Hombre's dunny to marvel at the ceramic walls as the Senora's is plain by comparison (isn't it odd that the male of the species is most often the peacock, so to speak).

 

El Aseo de Hombres - amazing

The Picasso designed menu

Stuffed squid in case you were wondering

It's an easy day trip to the breathtaking city of Toledo, once the capital of Spain. It's straight out of a Moorish picture book and we have a very pleasant lunch and stroll around the old town, checking out the famed Toledo steel merchandise and, of course, the marzapan (Toledo is home to the stuff - not to my taste though).

Back in Madrid we do some more sightseeing, including the spectacular Palacio de Cibeles, and Nereda pops into the Prado for a couple of hours to take in the Goya and Bosch masterpieces.

Palacio de Cibeles

The Prado

Then we head to Streetxo for lunch - Nereda notices the takeaway sign but is dazzled by the culinary delights served up - I think she nearly teared up at one stage (anybody who visits Madrid and doesn't take the Streetxo experience is derelict in their tourist duties).

Michelin takeaway

Explaining what's in bocadillo calamares

Nerrie's canvas - eat your heart out Pro Hart

For her last day we head to beautiful Segovia (Don L's favourite place in Spain). Nereda's been here before 20 years ago, but we manage to give her a different experience and show her a different side of this wonderful city; the aquaduct is, of course, the star of the show once again.

Just look at the sky!!!

The 'seven peaks and dead lady' - can you see them?

 Lacrima came over for Nereda's final night and we had a right old time of it.

Living the Game Of Life

The following morning it was back to Terminal 1 and we bid 'adios' to Nerrie as she headed north to Edinburgh and lots of strange dudes in crazy hats and skirts beating animal skins and playing bagpipes. Hasta luego Nereda, The Last Of The Iberian Visitors, thanks for coming.