So that’s it. All over. Except the journey home. I’m looking forward to my bed and being able to sleep. The heat has been beyond what my systems can cope with, which in turn has completely disrupted my ability to create or live by any kind of routine.

I couldn’t appreciate anything about Madrid until I got out of Atocha station: the main concourse was chaotic and had maintenance work being done that meant that there were fewer places to sit and it was noiser that might normally have been the case. Then I loved it!

The streets are often wide, many lined with trees, and with magnificent architecture.

There were people of all shapes, sizes, colours, religions, gender expressions, gender identities, and sexualities.

There were rainbow flags everywhere.

I always felt incredibly safe.

The police are approachable, but look somewhat intimidating. That could be the more militaristic look with the gun and big stick – always uncomfortable for an Englishman used to friendly bobbies (or maybe that’s just my white privilege speaking). It could just be because I’m not used to them.

On the way to the hotel from the Atocha station, I saw an advertisement for Alejandro y el Eunuch de Persa (I wrote about the historical event here). Unfortunately, this play doesn’t start until the week after I leave.

There were Pride flags everywhere, shops, the metro, government buildings – it seemed that the whole city gets involved. For someone like me, that messaging is important – I daresay for some it is life changing and maybe even life saving. It is that aspect of Pride – the reassurance to the vulnerable members of our community – that I support Pride, attend as many as possible, always were a rainbow or ten myself, and get uppity when local councillors threaten to remove the symbols of civic support.

Leaving Spain is a wrench – I could do with a seventh little holiday to recover!

Main rucksack is 35kg, my little rucksack is at 15kg. Despite not bringing most of my toiletries or my flipflops, and having abandoned my hoody a few stops back, my combined luggage weight is about 20kg more than when I set off. I’m going to have to have a better plan for buying books next time! And gifts – I’ve spent a lot on presents for people.

I want to come back to Madrid. I am coming back to Spain … I am already thinking about next summer…