Spotter since 2017
About Me
I am a teacher and examiner who made a home in Madrid many years ago. I love live music, art, books, travel, food and dancing and am well served for all my interests in Madrid. I live on a special plane where I exist as an eternal tourist (check out Alain de Botton’s book The Art of Travel) who maintains a sense of wonder in a familiar place. I love showing people round my favourite spots in Madrid but am never happier than when I am discovering new gems.
Why Madrid
Madrid seduced me when I first visited, with its untamed and unapologetic Spanishness. We came to look at art and we did, but what we weren’t expecting was how wild the nightlife was, and what incredible energy and stamina the Madrileños possessed when it came to having a good time! The food back then was only ok, or so I thought at the time. Now it is incredible! A foodie’s heaven. Madrid is a noisy place - you get used to it; a dry place (good for the bones!) It is a place that is growingly multi-cultural, and this is reflected in society through the popular medium of food!
Where else can you find me online?
Instagram
This fantastic wine shop, "Vino y Compañía" is the place to discover the fantastic variety and quality of wine on offer in Spain. Come with an open mind!
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Although it’s a Galician restaurant, they do an excellent paella mixta (chicken and seafood) and arroz negro, flavoured and coloured with squid ink.
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The apartment block this cafe sits under is an ugly beauty and I love it, not least for the exuberant planters that are an integral part of the building.
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I didn’t think Madrid was lacking anything but now I’ve found "Mazál Bagels and Café" I’m wondering how I survived without its bagels all these years!
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They have a wide selection of wines to suit all pockets, and you can also discover some weirder flavours if your tastes run to the unique...
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"Mo de Movimiento" in Madrid offers a new take on the restaurant business - sustainable organic ingredients, recycled materials and second opportunities!
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Sala Canal Isabel II in Madrid used to be a water tower: now it's an uber-cool gallery used for media exhibitions. I love it, and not just because...
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VETA is the biggest contemporary art gallery in the city, so once you’ve had your fill of the Old Masters at the Prado, why not get off the beaten track?
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Write about everything you 🤍 but skip touristic highlights