Madrid - full day 3

So today really was a tale of two halves. We headed out after her morning nap at home, in the direction of the Paseo del Arte - home to all the major art galleries and museums. We tried to metro there but couldn't find the step-free access point so ended up walking, which was a bit far for them in the buggy so we carried her as she munched on a bread roll. Loads to see en route, passing Museo Nacional del Prado and Puerta de Alcala before entering the beautiful city park - Parque de El Retiro. It's a huge green space with a lake, lawns, shaded cafes and historical buildings. We stopped for a drink and gave them some pasta in the buggy, and then played with Max's new aeroplane (another inspired buy from Tiger Tiger). He tried to fly it but kept throwing it with force at the ground, we had a laugh at that. Then onto the playpark where she had a sleep and Max had a climb and run around. I seized my moment and went to the brand new Monet exhibition at Centro Centro. I wanted to do something "arty" while we were there and I'm so glad I did - it was a selection of paintings from his own personal collection that he never sold, plus lots from his garden in Giverny. It was really immersive with animations of his paintings around the room and on the floor, and beautiful colours everywhere. Hoping to impress Lindsey with my new found (and highly limited) knowledge of Impressionism. Back to the park to meet them and headed to the cafe for a pizza stop (not before buying two more sword balloons en route, which both popped within minutes). After a bit more of wander we decided to split up for the journey back - Lewis take Max on the metro and me to walk her back as she was sleepy again. Put her in the buggy and set off, and she was so upset. Would not lie or sit in there, wouldn't have a snack or another distraction, just wanted to be carried. So after many failed attempts to settle her I walked the 40 minutes back carrying her in my arms while I nudged the buggy along in the blazing sunshine. And that set the tone for the rest of the day really. Got back to the apartment and the key wouldn't work in the door. What ensued was a highly stressful and frustrating near 5 hours of liaising with the Airbnb hosts and locksmiths who spoke zero English to try to get back in. Ended up with her asleep in the buggy on the street and Max was still up with us eating a cheese sandwich and having his milk at an outside cafe at gone 9pm. We hardly had any phone battery or supplies (or resilience by that point). When we finally got in we all crashed out. What a bloody day. 

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