The rain in Spain stayed well away for the Arts Society Shrewsbury's recent 10-day tour of Madrid and surrounding area.  The programme, thoughtfully crafted by Shrewsbury's Chairman, Yvonne Bridgeland - aided by art historian Tony Vetisse - and Travel Editions, packed in a treasure trove of delights including art galleries, museums, cathedrals, palaces, monasteries and historic houses to delight the party of thirty-one members.  Based initially in Spain's capital the group then enjoyed luxury coach travel in the capable hands of our driver, Cecilio, to Alcala de Henares, Segovia, El Escorial, Avila, Aranjuez, Salamanca, Toledo and Chinchon before returning to Madrid for the last two nights. There was a lot of travelling but it was well worth every kilometer.  One off-the-cuff item enjoyed by some of the group while in Madrid was the former home of Spanish artist Joaquin Sorolla, now a museum located in the north of the city. Sandra McGill was an excellent tour escort throughout our ten days, during which we had first-class local guides to talk us round the various museums and galleries.  Grateful thanks to our knowldgeable and attentive escort, Sandra McGill, Tamara (our local guide throughout) and to Travel Editions for their meticulous planning and administration.

Our driver, Cecilio, and six local guides
Top row: Tamara, Pablo, and Christina
Bottom row: Juan, Elena and Carlitos

Sorolla's main studio room at the museum

Outside the Sorolla Museum
Front (L-R): David Carver, Angela Carver, Moira Murphy, Sandra McGill (tour escort)
Behind: Ann Matthew, Yvonne Bridgeland (Chairman), Margaret Locke
Rear: Jerry Bridgeland