David and Jo's Adventures: A walk around Aranjuez

Sat 22nd March 2014 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aranjuez

A lazy start to the day, tea in bed and a few chapters, well it is raining outside so best not feel guilty. Once up managed to skype Tracy and Roger and then Jess in Poland. Out about mid-day as the sun had come out to walk into town through some of the Royal Gardens that surround this campsite. Followed a couple of self-guiding walks around the town that had descriptions in English that makes life easier. The town is similar to Versailles in France that was a summer Palace for the king of Spain, the gardens were commissioned by Charles IV and are very French, in fact walking around you would think you were in France. Strange to be in a built up town like this after being in small villages all week, you certainly see the contrasts here in wealth, a lot of people with money enjoying the weekend, contrasting with an obvious poor community, and we couldn’t believe the graffiti in the streets that were adjacent to the Palace. Had a great experience in a small out of the way square when we saw a couple of ladies dressed in colourful costumes walk into a doorway and we decided to follow them, turned out they had just returned from a Flamenco performance in a small town and were returning to their local hall, we got a quick tour and when we asked one for a photo they all came out of the small bar to pose for us. Also walked an indoor food market,that made you want to buy everything, although they did have some curious items!!! Nothing of the animals is wasted. Walked past the local Bullring which is now a museum (thankfully) but it was closed so couldn’t look inside, it’s the third oldest in Spain. Had lunch at a restaurant near the river before walking around the Palace that was certainly impressive. Will probably take the bikes out tomorrow and cycle all around the gardens as they are vast. Back to the campsite, got some info from another English couple ( who are on their way back to England after Winter down south) on a place to stay at while we are in the South. Jo did some hand washing while I researched Madrid, lovely evening meal outside before another early night.