Piedrahita trip: days -1 and 0.

The start of our now traditional trip to Spain for some flying; but first some winding down in Madrid. We arrived Friday, and having checked in, found the Tapas bar next to the Real Palace we'd stopped at a few years back. The beer was just as welcome as the day was just as hot! We finished off the evening in the Plaza Mayor with a pleasant meal (fish) and a random white wine.

Our day in Madrid we spent finding air conditioned locations to frequent! Our aim was the Reina Sophia gallery of modern art, but chance took as past the Caixa Forum - a curious building on pillars with the entrance winding up the inside of the central pillar. Two floors of exhibit space. The first was showing a selection of Islamic art from the Aga Khan's extensive collection, covering hundreds of years and the spread of Islam through Asia and Europe. The second floor was given over to an exhibition of the architecture of Richard Rogers whose work includes the Millenium Dome and Heathrow T5!

On to the Reina Sofia via the railway station! (Odd, I know, but it boasts a bit of a botanical garden under its great entrance hall, and a large number of Turtles. We didn't stay as the sun was streaming down rather strongly over the cafe where we thought about having a drink.) A nice touch is that entrance is free after 2.30 on a Saturday - so we waited 15mins in the shop before our foray into the Galleries. The Renia Sofia boasts works of Dali, Miro, and of course Picasso, including the famous Guernica. By the time we got to the said piece the place was packed, so we didn't stay just there. The many cubist pictures didn't do a lot for us, but there are some less well known Dali pictures we enjoyed, plus a couple of Magritte paintings (a favourite artist of mine). Highlight though was probably the temporary review of Munoz's sculpture on the third floor. Lots of figures - typically the fantastic 3/4 size figures with rounded lower halves, set in various poses.

Late afternoon, and we returned to another spot we'd been to before for Tapas. A couple of welcome beers and a selection of Pinchos. We returned here for the evening meal after going back to our hotel to freshen up, walking back via Pueta del Sol - lots a people about the many bars and restaurants in the side streets. We chose to eat at Vine P. A simple sald followed by the speciality of the house - slice beef steak you cooked yourself on a stone plate that had been heated up in the oven. Great fun, and great tasting meat, and all washed down with a very nice bottle of Ribera del Duero.

The next day we headed back the Airport to meet up with the others on the trip. Collecting our gliders etc from left luggage, we waited on Simon D at T4. The rest had come in at the other terminal building, but a phone call fom Kevin P / Steve H whilst we had morning coffee and we were relieved of have to travel back to T1/2/3, and it was on to Piedrahita, via Avila, hopefully for some flying. It wasn't to be. Our stop in Avila showed that a howling SW was present, so we stayed for lunch and wandered around the old city.

Getting into Piedrahita, and the wind was still so strong that even the evening flight was a non starter. So the usual recourse - off to the bar for an apperatif before the evening meal! Good to steve Steve, Puri, Oliver and Sophie again - always a shock to see how much children grow up in a year (more so over two - Carolyn having missed last year's trip). Hopefully a good week of flying ahead.