Location: Fareham, Gatwick Airport, Madrid
Summary: An early start, a smooth journey to Gatwick, an easy flight to Madrid, and a first evening exploring the city, even if the Irish bar hunt didn’t go to plan.
Early start, journey to Gatwick
I woke around 05:45 this morning, fifteen minutes before my alarm. After packing the last of my things for Spain and checking that Mum was okay, I sat watching a bit of television until my friend Les arrived to take me to Fareham train station.
The train journey to Gatwick was straightforward. We didn’t need to change trains, and we even managed to get a seat. When we arrived at the airport, Paul and I joined the queue to check in our luggage, only to realise we didn’t need to because we were travelling with carry‑on bags. After checking the ever‑shrinking size limits for cabin baggage, we ended up queuing again to check our bags in anyway.
Gatwick airport & flight to Madrid
We treated ourselves to a big breakfast in Giraffe. It cost nearly £10 without a drink, but it filled me up. Before boarding, we wandered around Paul’s favourite airport shop, Whiskey World, and then headed to the gate.
The flight was uneventful, and we soon touched down in Madrid. Getting through the airport, customs, and collecting our luggage was easy, and before long we were on the metro. Paul took charge of navigation, quickly getting the hang of the underground system, and we were soon on our way to the hotel.
Hotel check‑in & first impressions
We found the hotel easily thanks to the large sign on the roof, visible from the station. Check‑in was quick, and the room was clean, spacious, and had Wi‑Fi, everything you need for a short break. The only downside was the location; it was much further from central Madrid than Paul had expected, with no nearby bars, cafés, or restaurants.
After unpacking, we had a couple of beers in the hotel bar before heading out to explore Madrid and track down an Irish bar Paul wanted to visit.
Evening in Madrid
Navigating the metro again was simple, but finding the Irish bar wasn’t. Eventually, we gave up and settled for a meal and a few beers at TGIF next to the Bernabéu Stadium.
Getting back after midnight was no trouble, as the trains were still running. By 01:10, we were back in the hotel room and ready for some sleep.
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