We had booked the seven am train from Alicante to Madrid on Saturday 11th March and so we had made the decision to overnight in La City Hotel opposite the train station. It was comfortable and convenient.
Alicante was buzzing as we strolled into the Old Town. Bars and restaurants were busy and since the weather was good the seats and tables were packed with eaters, drinkers, talkers and smokers. Michelle found NiC again as she has been here before! She ordered a Lemon Tonic and I ordered a Cinnamon Fresh both with gin and bits and bobs. We sipped our drinks, did our usual people watching and let it all go by us. It is so refreshing to get away. After this peaceful interlude we sat in La Tagliatella and I devoured a Pizza a Pera and Michelle did her best to eat Pumpkin and Ricotta Ravioli. All scrumptious. Since we live in only a small town and are used to 'The Costas' it so good to go to a city.
On our way back to the hotel we passed an Sports Bar - well you just have to go in - and there was a screen showing the Wales v Ireland Six Nations Rugby game at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. I just had to go in, watch the game and for me a pint of Spitfire and for her the usual Vodka & Tonic. What a treat and what a game! It was a bruising contest with the winner not obvious until the final few minutes. It was a well done for The Principality. An English referee - Wayne Barnes - was excellent of course.
Saturday morning saw us at the train station at seven and we were in Madrid by 9:35. It was an excellent and comfortable journey in our first class seats. The attendants were both efficient and gorgeous, but the ticket man could do with a more energetic lifestyle! On the way north of Alicante I looked out for our two favourite birding areas of Yecla and then after Almansa the area around Petrola and Bonete and I was pleased to see that there was standing water in the low spots in the corn fields. That bodes well for waders and our visit at the end of the month.
The station is massive with all the platforms modern. They have retained the old roof, planted palms and shrubs where the tracks used to be and with shops and restaurants around it. A water feature held at least two hundred or so terrapins and I hope they were Spain's native ones.
Outside there was a gathering to commemorate the terrorist attack that happened thirteen years ago. A sober thought to take with us.
The airport shuttle bus was up-to-date and very fit for purpose. We were at Barajas within the half hour and since it is a massive airport we had a fair walk for our terminal. I always find this part of the journey tedious and then we were treated to a minor drama. We had stood by a group of men, probably Polish, and when we were at boarding gate E75 two officers of Guardia Civil arrived. Computers were checked and one of this group was singled out and his hold luggage brought up. I smiled when the two officers walked off with him with 'the suspect' walking two paces behind. I think he must have been okay and he and his mates all boarded the flight. We must have lost our slot because it was fifty minutes after our scheduled take off time that we were in the air.
Our transport was a Braemar 190/200 with two seats either side of the aisle. The cabin crew were excellent. A bite to eat, a coffee and the usual vodka and tonic made the journey that much better. Now for Warsaw.
The Federic Chopin Airport was modern. The taxi queue was well regulated and then after a short walk we were with Julia in the apartment.
Bloody marvelous. A day to explore tomorrow.
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