Spain: next stage of the big journey

The next stage of our big journey is Spain, home of Elena. Here I am sitting in the winter garden area of this beautiful batch (holiday home), constructed about 70 years ago of granite ashlars (square stones) for eternity. On the journey to here we have stopped off and stayed at several very good friend's in Switzerland and been able to see Zürich and Bern. The last night we stayed at a hotel in Brive-La-Gaillarde in the middle of France, where we watched the semifinal Germany - Brazil in a local pub. Brive is a really cute little town which is good for a romantic trip with all it's old stone buildings full of character.
Our Mitsubishi L300 luxury bus has not forsaken us during all this trip.
On the 9th July we have safely reached this batch in El Escorial in the Sierra of Madrid and been heartily welcomed by Elena's parents and her sister. Fabulous aromatic food and spotless blue skies almost all the time over tones of light brown and olive green. Memories mix with new impressions. The huge monastery again, this impressive building radiating majesty and peace, unchanged for many hundreds of years, has become part of our own history as a family. Our kids have sat on the sun-warmed stones of the big patio from when they were little.  
And Spanish night life with many folks outside in the streets and the many bars and street cafés, voices, laughter, lights, scents of delicious food.
Two days ago we were joined by the family of my brother after Elena's relatives had rescued themselves to their flat in Madrid.
We watched Germany become Football World Champion in a typical bar in the centre with free tapas alongside fizzy drinks and beer!