Friday 11 April
We arrived in Madrid slightly ahead of schedule and, at least, this time we knew the way to our hotel. Most of us were on the same floor and as the hotel didn't have a restaurant and we were feeling slightly peckish we went round the corner to the local tapas. This was far more cosmopolitan that the one in Badajoz - no bull fighting on the TV for starters and had a good range of sandwiches and nibbles (where did we put all the food).
Several of the group tried out a local club (very expensive 18 euros and a bit seedy) whilst a couple of others went to chat to some local kids who were gathered near the station - obviously a regular hang out.
Saturday 12 April
Not the crisp start of previous days but there again, there was no need. It was a cse of be ready to go by 11.00am.
Although check in wasn't until 12.50 pm, Liz felt that plenty of time was needed to get to the airport via the metro then face the long walk to terminal 1.
We managed to go wrong at the first hurdle - correct train, wrong direction. However, as it just comes back on itself we stayed put and changed trains for the airport.
As remembered the walk from the metro to the terminal was a long one and there were lots of queues for Easyjet but none indicating Edinburgh - or anywhere else for that matter. It was just a free for all so we stayed put in our queue. As we got nearer the chck in people were deciding what they would do if we were charged for excess weight. However, no worries as no one was despite a few being over the 20kg limit. We decided that between us all we averaged 20kg.
A quick bite to eat and it was time to board for a fairly uneventful flight back to Edinburgh. The weather was atrocious and you could here the rain bouncing down on the plane. Being 20 mins early meant we had to stay in the taxi area until our gate became free.
Passport cleared, luggage quickly picked up, nothing to declare and we were on our way to Edinburgh on the bus.
Our early arrival meant we had time to spare at the station so Burger King it was - Colin was finally getting the burger he'd wanted the night before in Madrid. Some of the girls couldn't resist a quick trip into M&S Simply food for further supplies for the journey south.
Thankfully we had our seats reserved and the carriage was very noisy. Full of loud Scotsmen and one rather foul mouthed Frenchman pretending he was Scottish (ever heard 'flower of Scotland' in French before). We rather hoped they were getting off north of the brder but were stuck with them to Newcastle. Again we arrived ahead of schedule.
This time we left Colin on the train as he was getting off in Durham. We all said our farewells in the traditional Spanish way.
So that was it ... our little trip to Badajoz, Spain.
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