I had a short walk around the North East (?) side of the centre. I like being away from the tourist heart a bit. Strange, given I am staying slap bang in the centre at Plaza Mayor! Ended up back in centre – I used Cathedral as a marker. There is a small moorish garden next to the Cathedral. It – and the area around it – were the location of the early period in Madrid’s history. The location of the Palacio Real – Catedral and Plaza Mayor were an encampment to help protect against troop movements on Andalusia.

Restaurant Botin – just off the Plaza Mayor – is very old indeed and Goya allegedly worked there as a waiter. It claims to be the oldest surviving restaurant in continuous service. It is easily found by the continuous groups of walking tours outside :-)