Day 3 in Madrid

Most of the morning of day 3 was spent coming and going to the internet place off Calle Huertas. Because we are flying back to London with Mr O'Leary - aka Ryan Air - we have to have printed out boarding passes and check in on-line. Without the paper stuff we would have to pay an extra 30pounds each. We saw an internet cafe telling u to print our boarding passes so off we went to discover you have to fill in all the necessary trivia such as passport expiry date. Now I have a head storagae spot where I keep loads of trivia but Ian wasn't sure I was right so back we came to check. Of course I was right.At least Calle Huertas is a wonderful street to wander up and down - old Madrid is packed with little streets like this.

Next to show my felted and stitched piece - for all the stuff I have out on the table it is  just as well I have something to show. I am doing some drawing each day - this is a discipline really even though some people make it seem so easy.

I am having fun with the couronne stick - we sold all we took to Ally Pally although I think there are a few at home still. Certainly sold all the flower stitchers we took and all of my books. I was rather flattered that the Embroiderers' Guild Bookshop had them both as featured books on their stand. Nearly finished the next one. I am going to make the above into a book cover. Don't you love the hand dyed felt the piece sits on? These will be arriving about the same time as us - new Felt Trios - really yummy.

After our trivial morning (well it starts late here), we went to a Trattoria where the staff were wonderful and the food the same. We had a special lunch for Max - with toasts to him and Kazuko and Bruce as, like us, they couldn't be in Reefton on Friday. Vale Max and rest in peace. You drew the short straw and it really wasn't fair. We will be in Reefton later on to see everyone. So pleased we were able to see Max in August when we went to Okarito and to talk to him before we went to London. Life is difficult at times.

Then at 10pm we went to a Flamenco show for which we hadno preconceived ideas. Smokey, grubby packed venue (luckily there was a fire extinguisher hanging on the wall next to our table)- we rather enjoyed it. It seems that whoever sings loudest and stamps the most, wins. The young girl was brilliant - the energy and passion enormous. I am sure she sleeps well every night. These are my new red shoes - what do you think? couldn't resist....