Club members outing to Madrid 4.10.15

On Sunday  4th October, eleven members of Knighton and District Rotary Club left Liverpool for Madrid on what would be a particularly delightful excursion. Norman had surpassed himself – no more "dodgy tours"; this was exclusive!

They were met at the airport by a shiny new bus on which they were speedily delivered to their modern, stylish hotel opposite the Royal Palace. Although they were only in Madrid for three full days and an eventful morning, the trip turned out to be action-packed. Members visited the Prado, where a particular group employed their own guide, who turned out to know where Wales was: something to do with a certain expensive Welsh footballer called Gareth Bale who plays for Real Madrid. The guide was extremely knowledgeable, explaining in great detail the stories behind the  paintings of Goya, El Greco, Velazquez, Titian and Rubens.    Others went to the Reina Sofia, the Modern Art Gallery, where Picasso’s dramatic painting of Guernica is housed.

Some members toured the Royal Palace and were enthralled by its grandeur, as were members who witnessed the pomp of a military parade complete with canons, infantry, horses with colourful plumes and dashing cavalrymen. Some members hired a car to visit Franco’s tomb, but not to pay homage!

One evening, Ian arranged for a visit to a Flamenco club which turned out to be every bit as dramatic as the military parade and equally thrilling and entertaining – the talented dancers being quite extraordinary.

It would not be a Norman Thorp trip without  food, and the party did not hold back. Two excellent restaurants were discovered, one serving the largest tapas anyone has ever seen and also a gigantic paella. With the result of so much eating and drinking they thought they might be in danger of being charged for excess weight by Easy Jet. Having been delayed by French Air Traffic Controllers, they were surprised to see on board their plane lots of the passengers taking selfies with someone – this someone turned out to be a certain well-known football manager, namely Rafael Benitez of Liverpool and Real Madrid fame.