Plaza Mayor

A trip to Madrid today, was a day of two massively contrasting halves. From getting-up until arriving in Madrid was horrible. We'd heard tales of delays getting through Manchester Airport security etc so arrived over four hours before our flight. Pointless, as our bag drop-off desk didn't open for two hours. Then it took ninety minutes to wind our way to the security check, up and down, up and down, about a dozen times so that we walked on to our plane two minutes after it was due to depart. All this is said to be due to staff shortages. I wonder what caused that...

Madrid airport by contrast was super efficient and properly staffed with no waiting at all. And the centre of Madrid is delightful. Our morale was restored by a couple of drinks and some patatas bravas in a bar near the hotel. And relax.