The Purple Penguin

So up a bit later today (just before 9) get ready and head out to the nifty places we found yesterday. Had breakfast in a little bakery/cafe – Joe said it was a good one because when we went in there was a policeman getting his coffee and pastry (doughnut?) We enjoyed our breakfast. Then straight down to the Prado to get our art ticket sorted.

The woman at the ticket desk wasn’t particularly friendly and seemed really cross that we wanted to sort the ticket out – she kept telling us it was for tomorrow. But the receipt itself said we could exchange it before the date – that way we could go into the Prado without queueing tomorrow morning. Also when we were there the ticket office was very quiet, no queues and not many people. Now we need to make sure we can use it for the other museums on different days; it says we can but then the way she was acting maybe we can’t!

Once that was sorted we headed up Paseo del Prado to the Biblioteco National. At the top we stopped for a drink, then headed back down, this time through the Parque de el Retiro. Strolled through the park while Joe took photos – stopped at the lake to watch the fish and boats, went to the Crystal Palace to see the exhibit and then watch turtles in that lake, then along and out by the train station.

At the train station got our tickets for Santander and talked about our day trip out. Probably won’t go to Cuenca due to the time/expense, but looking at Toledo and Segovia. We shall see.

Finally back to across the road from where we had breakfast to have a very large, late, Cuban lunch. Now stuffed we are relaxing for an hour or so before heading out again to the Plaza Mayor so Joe can get photos. Actual walking time was around 5 hours.