Today was quite a mixture.  First up – Sandemans Free Tour of Madrid which I can highly recommend.   3 hours of history which gave us a very basic grounding – basic because I can remember only so much!  After 5 kings called Philip and two called Charles I lost the plot.

After a quick refreshment Phil and I chose to try the Thyssen Museum of Art where I again managed to soak up only so many Rubens and Goya, Philistines that we are.

Luckily for us the Madrid Botanical gardens were right next door and oh so much more familiar.  We are here just at the right time.  The first of the Old Roses are only just opening. The tulips (Attila) are just finishing, the peonies are just starting as are the first of the Savias.

If you want a display of Tulips like this in October – NOW is the time to plant!